So, where do I begin?

This was the same question I asked myself a while back when considering data science for the first time. Back then, I did not have a good understanding of what being a data scientist really meant. I understood the job as having two extremes: working with spreadsheets by using SQL and Python on one hand, and trying to solve intelligence through the development of AGI systems on the other.

I always wanted to do the latter, but this felt too big a dream to ever become realistic. How does one jump from SQL to AGI? I constantly asked myself this, as it was something that didn’t feel achievable.

However, someone once said that if you want to get from point A to point B and it’s dark outside and the distance seems overwhelming, you don’t really need to see the entire path right away. Visibility of less than a few meters is more than enough for you to move forward. Eventually, you’ll arrive at your destination.

About half a year ago, I applied for a scholarship to take part in the Data Science Bootcamp—it felt like the right way to get involved in this field. I had a lot of hope and a little bit of faith. But I’ve made it here to Madrid, and to the Bootcamp.

It’s been almost two months since I took my dog and suitcase and headed out on a crazy two-day trip by car toward sunny Spain, leaving not-so-sunny London behind. I knew it wasn’t an easy undertaking, especially since I’ve decided to keep working remotely and full time for one of today’s fastest-growing fintech companies. But I had no idea what would happen after.

At the beginning, everything was difficult. Looking for an apartment was not easy. Not knowing the language was hard. And getting into a study and work routine proved even harder.

But wrapping my head around the initial material in the course was probably my biggest challenge.

I couldn’t—and I still can’t—get rid of a feeling that I am not doing enough to get the best out of this course. I keep dreaming about coding and math every night, as it all can be quite overwhelming. But it’s also amazing and fun. I love it.

Even though it seems like it’s not a lot of time to truly get to know data science, I do feel like it’s been ages since I typed in my first line of Python code and saw my first equation on the Math and Stats slide. The course is so intense that it throws you right into the middle of it all.

I can’t tell you how good it feels to see your code running and producing real-world results after hours of editing it and trying to crack a problem, or how satisfying it is to finally make sense of all of these equations in Math and Stats. But the best feeling comes from all the moments in between, when I realize how this new and exciting chapter of my life is being written right now.

Being here is a real challenge. It takes a lot of discipline and focus, but it’s very rewarding at the same time—we all know why we’re doing it!

I’m confident that by being here, I am getting closer to my goal of working with AGI.

And you know what they say: “You can get wherever you want, but every journey starts with a single step.” This Bootcamp may be a small step, but it’s truly a personal milestone.

Now it’s your turn. What is your next step going to be?