Data Science Guide
Build Your Own Data Science Journey
Here, we simplify the complexities of data science. Explore carefully curated learning resources, find essential learning strategies, and gain insights and practical tips. Whether you're just exploring the opportunity of switching careers, looking for your first data science job, or aiming to level up, this guide provides the insights you need.
What's inside?
100 Pages of In-Depth Content
Learning Style Quiz
10 Ready-to-go Portfolio Project Ideas
Professional Resume Example
Customizable Curriculum on Notion
70+ Recommended Learning Resources
Here’s the truth
I won’t promise you land a six-figure data scientist position in six months… because everyone's journey in data science is different. Perhaps you've spent a fortune on courses, books, and bootcamps, but still find yourself lacking a concrete, successful strategy to break into the industry. Maybe you've acquired some skills, but haven't yet achieved the level of mastery or the job position you've been aiming for. You may have a passion to analyze, predict, and influence the future using data, and you’ve been doing all the “right things” academically and professionally. But still, you're not seeing the return on investment for all your hard work.
If so, this DS guide is designed to help you navigate the nuanced path to becoming a data scientist—the way you envision it.
THE ONE-STOP SHOP FOR LEARNING HOW TO BECOME A DATA SCIENTIST
DS Guide is for you if...
DS Guide is not for you if...
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You're new to data science or 1-2 years into your career
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You're already a seasoned data scientist
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You want to learn how to self-teach data science
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You're aspiring to be a software developer, not a data scientist
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You need a curated list of learning resources
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You're struggling with portfolio project ideas
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You're finding it tough to land a data science job
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You looking for one-on-one mentorship
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You're seeking college admission help
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You are looking for a textbook or coding tutorial, not a career guide
Imagine diving into data science without knowing coding or stats, no tech degree, no bootcamp. That was me. The only thing I knew back then was that I wanted to switch careers and become a data scientist. I was super excited to start my learning journey, but also I was overwhelmed. The volume of resources, books, courses, and tools available was staggering. I found myself collecting anything and everything that seemed even remotely relevant. From thick textbooks to an ever-growing list of online courses, my study plan was overflowing with materials, yet I often felt lost. The paradox of choice was real: having too many options made it challenging to pinpoint where to begin and what to prioritize.
And yes, I made mistakes. Plenty of them. I spent hours, days, even weeks on topics and resources that, in hindsight, weren't immediately relevant or crucial to my learning journey. But I managed to carve my own path in the field. In two years, I went from being a newbie with no tech background to securing a full-time data science position in a well-known consulting company working on cutting-edge ML projects.
Reflecting on my journey, I realized I could make things easier for others. I want to help you by showing you what really matters and what you can skip for now. In this guide, I'll share my journey, the things I messed up, and the lessons I learned. My goal? To make your journey smoother and show that if I could do it, so can you.
Why I Wrote This Data Science Guide
Why choose my DS Guide??
WELL THERE ARE MANY REASONS BUT HERE'S MY TOP 3 FAVS...
Save Money 💵 Courses can get pricey, and researching them can eat up hours. No need for all that. I've gathered the best free or low-cost resources just for you.
Save Time ⏰ Skip the mistakes most newbies make. I'll show you exactly what to focus on so you can jump into data science faster than you thought possible.
No Fluff ☁️ I'm keeping it real—no filler, no false promises. Just hard-earned advice from me and other data scientists who've been there, done that.
Customizable DS curriculum on Notion
This Notion dashboard is a little gift for those who buys the DS guide. Use it as a template to craft a tailored data science curriculum for yourself!
Instructions:
1. Find Your Learning Style: Head over to Chapter 3 of the "Build Your Own DS Journey" guide. Take the quiz to identify your unique learning style. On page 39 of the guide, you will find the link to the DS Resources dashboard on Notion.
2. Copy the Notion Template: This dashboard comes with a table full of handpicked, free or low-cost data science resources.
3. Customize Your Curriculum:
Step 1: In your copied Notion template, filter the table by your learning style, preferred programming language (R or Python), and cost (free or paid).
Step 2: Can't find a perfect fit? Feel free to adjust your filters.
Step 3: Under each category in the "Focus" column, select 1 to 3 resources.
Step 4: Mark these choices in the "Curriculum" column.
Step 5: Finally, filter the table again by the "Curriculum" column. Voilà! You've got your personalized list of top DS resources.
Note: If you'd rather not use Notion, no worries! All the materials from this Notion template are also included in the PDF with the DS Guide, so you won't miss out on anything.
Enjoy crafting your personalized data science journey! 🚀
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Why This Guide?The world of data science can often seem overwhelming to beginners due to the vast amount of information and resources available. This is precisely where our Data Science guide comes into play. Comprehensive and Structured: This guide provides a comprehensive, structured, and step-by-step roadmap to learning data science. It breaks down the complex field into manageable sections, making it suitable for both beginners and professionals looking to deepen their understanding. Expertly Curated: The guide is expertly curated and updated by experienced data scientists, reflecting the latest trends, tools, and techniques in the industry. Practical Application: Our guide goes beyond theory, offering real-world examples and practical exercises to help you apply what you're learning. It ensures that you gain not just knowledge, but also the practical skills that employers look for. Saves Time and Effort: Instead of spending hours figuring out what to learn next, this guide provides you with a clear learning path, saving you time and effort. Accessible and Affordable: Unlike expensive courses or degrees, this guide is designed to be both affordable and accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. In short, the Data Science guide is designed to simplify your journey into the world of data science, providing clear direction and valuable insights. Whether you're completely new to the field or looking to advance your current knowledge, this guide is a reliable resource to assist you.
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Do the Roadmap and Guide Go Together?Yes, while the "Data Science Express" Roadmap and the Data Science Guide "Build Your Own Data Science Journey" are separate products, they complement each other very well. The Roadmap is a free resource that offers a structured map of topics to learn on your journey to becoming a data scientist. It's designed to give you a clear understanding of the concepts, skills, and areas of knowledge you may need to cover. On the other hand, the guide is a comprehensive plan that goes beyond just listing the topics. It provides detailed instructions on how to actually break into the field of data science. This includes advice on how to build an effective portfolio, what resources to use for learning, what projects to undertake, and more. The Data Science Guide is a paid product. In essence, while the Roadmap provides you with the 'what' (i.e., what topics to learn), the Guide provides you with the 'how' (i.e., how to learn these topics and how to use this knowledge to transition into a data science career). While they can be used separately, using both the Roadmap and the Guide together will give you a holistic, structured, and practical approach to entering the field of data.
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What Level of Programming Should I Have?Data Science Guide is designed to cater to a wide range of learners, including those starting with no coding experience.
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Is it a Data Science Textbook?No. This guide is specifically designed to answer questions on acquiring the necessary skills for data science and securing a job in the field. As the emphasis is on career development, it intentionally steers away from the in-depth technical nuances of data science. Thus, you won't find discussions on model hyperparameters or detailed explanations of Python packages. In fact, this guide does not include a single equation or line of code. Nonetheless, I've recommended numerous books and courses that delve into these technical details. Instead of emphasizing technical aspects, the intention is to shed light on the often overlooked but equally important non-technical knowledge required for success in data science. Additionally, this guide provides a clear roadmap with step-by-step instructions to help you learn all the necessary technical topics.
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What is the Format of This Guide?The DS guide is a digital product distributed in PDF format. No physical copy of the guide is provided.
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Do I need to have a Notion account?No, everything provided in the Notion dashboard with DS resources is replicated inside the DS Guide as a table. However, if you want, you can use the Notion dashboard and copy it as a template. To do so, you must register a Notion account; it is easy and free.