Ask HN: Basic skills in Python, Pandas, Numpy, and Xarray; but am I employable?

#1

Post by seanccox » Fri, Mar 30, 2018, 12:27 PM UTC

For the past eight months I've been teaching myself Python and other tools, in order to create a rudimentary ocean drift trajectory model to support my thesis research (in maritime archaeology). I started from scratch, with a limited understanding of statistics, ocean physics, vector math, and Python, but the results work and I am now looking for a more structured apprenticeship/job path.

Do jobs exist for people with my skills at this level, or should I seek a formal qualification through a bootcamp or other program? I will happily look into recommendations for either. Thanks!

Re: Ask HN: Basic skills in Python, Pandas, Numpy, and Xarray; but am I employable?

#2

Post by itamarst » Fri, Mar 30, 2018, 1:12 PM UTC

You plausibly could get an entry level programming job, or entry level data scientist job. You won't know until you try - what kind of jobs would you like to do?

Re: Ask HN: Basic skills in Python, Pandas, Numpy, and Xarray; but am I employable?

#3

Post by seanccox » Fri, Mar 30, 2018, 2:04 PM UTC

itamarst wrote: post #2

You plausibly could get an entry level programming job, or entry level data scientist job. You won't know until you try - what kind of jobs would you like to do?

I'm interested in both paths, though at the moment, I feel an analytical position more closely aligns with what I do on a day-to-day basis. Because the onboarding process can be long and risky (for companies), I don't presently feel like a very good bet. So, in looking for a 'job', I'm really looking for a way to perform structured tasks that support larger data science projects. Again, because I'm teaching myself all of this and solving new problems as I come to know of their existence, it's difficult to aim for a career path. I can see some of the trees and I'm aware of the forest, but I certainly don't know its scope, if you know what I mean?

Re: Ask HN: Basic skills in Python, Pandas, Numpy, and Xarray; but am I employable?

#4

Post by itamarst » Fri, Mar 30, 2018, 10:11 PM UTC

seanccox wrote: post #3

itamarst wrote: post #2

You plausibly could get an entry level programming job, or entry level data scientist job. You won't know until you try - what kind of jobs would you like to do?

I'm interested in both paths, though at the moment, I feel an analytical position more closely aligns with what I do on a day-to-day basis. Because the onboarding process can be long and risky (for companies), I don't presently feel like a very good bet. So, in looking for a 'job', I'm really looking for a way to perform structured tasks that support larger data science projects. Again, because I'm teaching myself al…

1. There are programs to help scientists become data scientists:, e.g. https://www.insightdatascience.com/

2. You don't feel like you're a good bet. But companies may disagree, if you present yourself with confidence.

Re: Ask HN: Basic skills in Python, Pandas, Numpy, and Xarray; but am I employable?

#5

Post by seanccox » Tue, Apr 03, 2018, 11:16 AM UTC

itamarst wrote: post #4

seanccox wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm interested in both paths, though at the moment, I feel an analytical position more closely aligns with what I do on a day-to-day basis. Because the onboarding process can be long and risky (for companies), I don't presently feel like a very good bet. So, in looking for a 'job', I'm really looking for a way to perform structured tasks that support larger data science projects. Again, because I'm teaching myself al…

1. There are programs to help scientists become data scientists:, e.g. https://www.insightdatascience.com/ 2. You don't feel like you're a good bet. But companies may disagree, if you present yourself with confidence.

Thanks a lot! That's really good advice. Much appreciated!