Discovering My Path: From Health Sciences to Data Science

Early Life and Education

A Family of Education Enthusiasts

Growing up in a household filled with a passion for education, I was inspired by my parents – my mother, a skilled software developer, and my father, a dedicated optician. Their diverse interests in technology and health formed the foundation of my own aspirations. I dreamed of merging these two worlds to make a positive impact on communities.

The Early Journey: Pursuing Health Sciences

In 2013, I embarked on my academic journey at WITS, enrolling in a BSc in Health Sciences with the intention of becoming a medical doctor. For three years, I delved into the realms of science and health, motivated by the desire to contribute to the well-being of others. However, as 2017 rolled around, I found myself yearning for a path that wouldn't take several more years to achieve my goal of helping communities.

Discovering Data Science

A Pivotal Moment: Embracing Data Science

During this period, life took me on an unexpected journey. I found myself working in my father's practice as a receptionist, where I honed some of the best people skills – sales, customer service, and effective communication. In 2018, a transformative event occurred when I accompanied my mother to my first-ever AI meet-up. There, I encountered a fascinating case study on "Predicting Malaria Outbreaks Using Machine Learning." This revelation showed me that I could merge health and tech to make a difference. I realised that this was my true calling.

Embracing ExploreAI: A Turning Point

Driven by newfound determination, I stumbled upon ExploreAI (originally the EXPLORE Data Science Academy) and decided to take the plunge. The internship offer was an opportunity for me to explore the world of data science. I faced a pivotal choice – either pursue my dream of becoming a medical doctor or venture into a field I knew little about – data science. Intrigued by the possibilities of data-driven solutions, I chose to embark on this new journey with ExploreAI.

A Year of Growth: Immersing in Data Science

The year 2019 marked the beginning of my data science course at ExploreAI Academy, and I vividly remember the excitement I felt as I stepped into the massive open floor, surrounded by computers and fellow Explorers. Collaborating with some of the brightest minds, each project introduced me to new concepts and challenged me to make tactical decisions to complete the tasks.

One project stood out profoundly – the neural machine translator for under-resourced South African languages. Together, we built the largest corpus (at that time) of aligned translations for each official language, propelling research in machine translation and even surpassing Google's BLEU score. It sparked my interest in the Masakhane project, which now boasts a community dedicated to uplifting under-resourced languages in Africa.

The journey was not without its trials. Gruelling tests, coding exams, and high-pressure deadlines demanded accuracy and quality. We faced setbacks, including the loss of a fellow Explorer, but these experiences became invaluable lessons that prepared me for the challenges of the professional world.

Professional Growth and Experiences

Data Science: A Game-Changer for My Career

Coming from a qualitative background with limited mathematical knowledge, ExporeAI Academy gave me a competitive edge. Armed with foundational coding and project management skills, I became better equipped to secure data-focused positions. After graduation, I had the privilege of joining ExploreAI's digital marketing team. Here, I honed my skills in building dashboards and worked directly with Shaun Dippnall, the then-CEO of ExploreAI, and consultant Mark Schroeder.

Venturing into Entrepreneurship: Founding Nandetech

Despite the enriching experience at ExploreAI, I was not afforded the opportunity to continue with the permanent team into 2021. As I searched for new opportunities, I encountered a period of uncertainty. For three months, I struggled to find work, but this setback ignited a desire within me to forge my path into building something for myself. Thus, I founded Nandetech, my own AI, data, and software consulting agency. This venture provided me with the chance to work on building content, as well as AI and data consulting. Later, I had an opportunity to leap into a data analyst position at a medium-sized company. It was here that I showcased my analytical skills and leadership qualities, spearheading various campaigns and interacting with influential figures in the telecommunications industry.

A Serendipitous Encounter: Joining Enlabeler as Head of Operations

Life has a way of introducing us to pivotal people at just the right moment. I had several encounters with the late entrepreneur, Pieter Boon, who shared my ambition to develop AI in Africa. His introduction led me to Esther Hoogstad, the dynamic CEO of Enlabeler. Joining as the Head of Operations in June 2021, I found myself in a role that embodied my entrepreneurial spirit, social impact goals, and data-driven aspirations.

A Journey of Leadership: Unleashing Potential at Enlabeler

My time at Enlabeler has been a whirlwind of leadership and impact. I led teams in delivering meaningful projects and contributed to the creation of a dynamic tech team. Collaborating with CEOs and CTOs, I experienced the thrill of driving change in the data space while providing jobs for hundreds of young tech-hungry individuals. Our efforts led to securing investments and connecting with prominent investors in South Africa.

A New Chapter: Fusing Health and Technology as a Product Manager

The year 2023 presented me with a dream opportunity – a position as a Product Manager at A2D24, where health and technology intersect. This role epitomises my ultimate goal of improving lives and simplifying the tasks of healthcare professionals. Today, I work on numerous projects involving the development of software and products for the healthcare sector, a culmination of my aspirations and endeavours.

Reflecting on the Journey

Gratitude and Growth: My Journey with ExploreAI

Through the life-changing experience of starting the data science course at ExploreAI Academy, I have witnessed unparalleled personal and professional growth. Not only did I advance my career in data and tech, but I also found the courage to become a founder, connected with the brightest minds in South African tech, and laid the foundation for building my own family and home.

Lessons for Aspiring Data Science Students and Data Professionals

The journey from health sciences to data science taught me valuable lessons that I carry with me:

1. Embrace opportunities

Life is full of opportunities, but you can only make the most of them if you are valuable to that opportunity. If you can’t add value, the opportunity will not be of value to you. Always ask yourself, “What will the Return on Investment (RoI) be if I took this opportunity?” and most importantly, ask why.

2. Be better every day

Don’t settle for 50%. If you know you’re only 50% there, make iterative actions to get to 100%; remember, the best models were not coded in a day. So, don’t be disheartened by obstacles. Remember, there are no failures, only lessons to learn.

3. Stay curious through action

Learning is a never-ending journey. Learn whatever you want now. You may not have the time when you’re busy with deliverables. Learn any code you want and build a portfolio for yourself. It’s more fun seeing the outcome! Platforms like Kaggle and Zindi are great. You don’t just have to participate to win, but to code and learn.

4. Follow your passion, then build on it

Build whatever you want. This will force you into making decisions that a client or potential CEO might make. You’ll ask yourself questions like, “How would this work in the real world?” or “Why would I need this feature? How much will it cost?” If you want to be a tech pioneer, build something and be obsessed with testing it.

5. Connect. Connect. Connect.

Above all, connections can get you the furthest the quickest. Whether you’re introverted or extroverted, learning how and what to communicate is perhaps the most important skill. If you cannot relay information or receive it, you will only be working in an isolated bubble. Try to connect with at least one new person every month. That’s already 12 potential opportunities in a year. I once met the COO of one of Africa’s largest online schools just by saying yes to visiting a family member.

Conclusion

My journey from health sciences to data science is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and seizing opportunities. ExploreAI played an instrumental role in shaping my path, unlocking my potential, and setting me on a course towards impactful work. As I continue to embrace new challenges, I encourage all data science students to embark on their own adventures, armed with curiosity, courage, and a burning passion for making a difference in the world of data and technology.

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