Start before you feel ready
From Dishwasher to Data Science: Lessons for self-taught tech learners without a traditional degree
👋🏽 Hey, it’s Ismail. Welcome to data nomads lab newsletter on learning data analytics, career growth, networking, building portfolios, and interview skills to break into tech role as a high-performer.
From dishwasher to data: A journey for the self-taught
I left Somalia in 1991 with my siblings and mother after the civil war broke out. We lived eight years in Cairo, Egypt before immigrating to Tucson, Arizona twenty six years ago. Like many immigrants, my journey started with uncertainty, language barriers, and learning everything from the beginning.
My first job in the United States was as a dishwasher at a local resort. I worked in call centers. I sold random things on eBay and Amazon to make extra money. I made a living selling engineering textbooks at a lower price at my university than the campus bookstore. I found a way to obtain a resale license as a vendor directly from the publishers and passed the savings to students. That experience taught me how to spot opportunities, negotiate, and think like a problem solver.
It was not a straight path. It was not always smooth. But it taught me how to keep going.
This newsletter is for anyone trying to break into the data and tech world, especially if you do not have a traditional college degree or if you are learning on your own. Whether you are starting with Excel or dreaming of building machine learning models, I hope this helps.
My career path: The real version
I studied Optical Science and Engineering at the University of Arizona. After graduating, I stepped away from the field to help my family run a small business. It felt like a detour, but I learned real world lessons about problem solving, negotiation, communication, and building trust.
Four years later, I returned to school for a Master’s degree in Management Information Systems and eventually earned an MBA from the University of Illinois. Along the way, I transitioned into data science, then product management. Today, I work in research and strategy at a major aerospace and defense company. I also teach business analytics and machine learning at Udacity dot com and write this newsletter, Data Nomads Lab.
It was not easy. I doubted myself. I started over more than once. But I kept moving.
Three decisions that changed everything
Looking back, there were three key decisions that shaped my career.
One. I said yes before I felt ready. When I moved into data science, I did not know all the tools. I said yes anyway and figured it out as I went.
Two. I built things on my own. I created simple projects, tested ideas, and shared them with others. Even if they were not perfect, they helped me grow.
Three. I taught others and wrote about what I was learning. Teaching helped me understand topics better. Writing made my thinking clearer. These habits gave me more growth than any job title ever could.
If you are learning data today, here is what I would tell you
You do not need permission. Just start. Even if it is a small project. Even if it is messy. Start now.
Do not only tell people what you know. Show them. Create a dashboard. Clean a dataset. Write about it. Publish it.
Reach out. Ask questions. Comment on posts. Email someone you admire. Your network grows one conversation at a time.
Pick a skill that can grow with you. It could be SQL, Excel, Tableau, or Python. Get really good at it. Let people know you for it.
Learn in public. Teach others. Share your journey. You will grow faster than you think.
Most of all, do not follow the crowd. Build your own path.
Challenges I faced but rarely talked about
I did not always feel like I belonged in tech. I had to relearn everything after switching careers. I often felt behind or out of place.
But I kept showing up. I stayed curious. I stayed useful. That helped me grow.
What skills will matter in the next five-ten years
Artificial intelligence is everywhere now. You do not have to be an expert, but you need to understand how it works and how to use it. Learn how to ask better questions and use tools that save you time.
But do not forget the basics.
Communicate clearly.
Think independently.
Work well with others.
These skills always matter.
How I continue to grow
I keep learning. I build small projects. I write this newsletter. I teach. I ask questions. I talk to people who are learning just like me.
You do not need to have it all figured out. Just stay in motion.
If you are reading this, you are already on your way.
Stay curious. Stay useful.
Ismail
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Thank you for this powerful piece. It deeply resonated with me and gave me the encouragement I needed.
Good stuff. Thanks for sharing.