Data Science For All / Empowerment

After almost five years of speaking with representatives of various bootcamps - to include two in-person out of state campus visits, I was tremendously fortunate to find Correlation One and the DS4A program. In a nutshell, it was an amazing experience!! While no program is perfect, this one gets a 9 +  my book. That's really good for only the second cohort of this program!!

Take the leap of faith and apply to this challenging data science boot camp. This is one of the most rewarding and hardest accomplishments I've completed. Coming into the program with no tech experience I was supported by fellows, instructors, TA's , group study sessions, inspiring guest speakers, and mentors. Be prepared to dedicate the time and effort and gain invaluable knowledge and experience. 

Just met a lot of amazing people and learned so much! It requires A LOT of work, but it was for sure one of the best learning experiences I had. The teachers are willing to explain in the simplest ways to make um you TRULY learn. I loved it. Only regret not having enough time to dedicate myself more because of work.

With all the things I learned, I had the confidence to apply to an amazing Data Science job position, and they selected me! I had to do a small project for the application, and with the knowledge of this course I was able to complete it without problems. 

DS4A has been a life-changing experience. What some people call a BootCamp or a school program, is in fact at least in my opinion, an ecosystem that empowers you to succeed in life. Regardless of the role you choose, after this program, you will be equipped to perform better analysis and make more informed decisions.The program is very selective so make sure that if you apply, you have the time and the passion to make the best of it. The professors, Teacher Assistants, most students, and all the staff put a lot of effort into making this program an amazing experience so make sure you do your part as well.Something I really loved is the hands-on experience from day 1. I had to take a 4 week BootCamp to improve/leverage my python skills, and it was challenging but rewarding so make sure to ask for help if you feel lost. As someone who is not used to it, this was hard but trust me when I say there's always someone willing to help you.Besides the analytical and technical sessions, we were offered career development workshops, career fairs, and speaker series sessions with experts in different topics.DS4A is an amazing program and if you have not applied yet, I would encourage you to do it right now.  

I highly recommend this program for anyone who in interested in getting started in data science. The program provides participants with an excellent immersive experience of what is expected in data analysis: development of programming skill, project development, teamwork, and statistical analysis. The format is challenging, but like many bootcamp experiences, a strong sense of camaraderie is development between teammates and fellow participants that continues after program completion.  The instructors, teaching assistants and mentors are top-notch and provide high-level and both general and project specific skill development. I entered the program as a complete novice and left with important skills that I have transferred to my current position and will soon provide an entry point to an exciting new career.

Great experience, one of a kind. Met amazing people and developed professional skills

The DS4A Program provided on of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life.  It pushed me to further develop my technical skills in the areas of SQL and Python.  It also helped refine my communication skills by working fully remote throughout the duration of the program.  The relationships I developed were very invaluable.

Arguably the most challenging yet, most rewarding experience of my professional career. Was challenged to think beyond my comfort level and has changed the trajectory of career for the better. Because of what I’ve learned i’ve been exposed to new opportunities that I would’ve never been able to do.

I highly recommend this program. The content, the guidance of the instructors and the spirit of the course are high level and makes the experience super comforting and the course really focus on how to get new and useful skills. Although my experience made that I already knew or had studied part of the course's content (because it's from the scratch), you can reap the benefits of the special lessons, the networking with people with a great tech background and both instructors and students eager to help you to get new knowledge.

This is an absolutely amazing program! For those looking to break into or up-skill within the Data/Tech space, this program offers a the perfect "hands on" experience to start building or enhancing your Data career. Aside from the Data Science concepts and job placement functions, this program also provides top-tier networking opportunities, not just with your cohorts, but with professional mentors as well. Too many points to mention here, but its truly an amazing program, and I am so grateful that I was accepted into it!          

From website:Data Science for All (DS4A)/ Empowerment is a virtual data analytics training and jobs program, made available for free to qualifying students and professionals from underrepresented communities, providing new pathways to economic opportunity in the world’s fastest-growing industries.Graduates are connected to the jobs of tomorrow in technology, finance, consulting, sales, marketing, engineering, research, product, and entrepreneurship.

Very thankful for the opportunity to go through this program. I learned a lot. I have always wanted to try Data Science but funds and the time to go back to school was a problem. The program is taught but great experienced instructors and i loved the guest speakers and mentors too. This program also links the fellows with employers and the program is 100% free!!! What could be better than this? Very grateful for the experience. 

DS4A is an excellent course to acquire skills in data science, it does not matter if you are a beginner or with previous experience, the course is designed in such a way that those who have no experience start the course with a knowledge base that allows them to tackle the challenges during the development of the program. Although it is an online course, it does not feel like one because it encourages interaction between students and teachers. I highlight the following points:1. Excellent classes and materials according to current needs2. Teachers and trained assistants with the best knowledge and skills to teach.3. End-of-year project that challenges you to apply knowledge in a work team that simulates a real work environment.4. Additional activities are developed that complement professional training beyond technical skills in data science.5. First level organization and support with a good system of follow-up and monitoring of students before, during and after the end of the program.6. Possibility of participating in a diverse community that lasts beyond the course.I highly recommend DS4A to start a career in data science!

I am very excited to have had the opportunity to complete the course and gain employment from what I learned. My personal experience cannot happen without the help of the instructors, TA's, volunteer mentors, and the supporting personnel who make every day during the program come together without issues. To be successful during the program, you must be curious and work outside your comfort zone. Curiosity and being able to self-learn will be some of the most abilities which will ensure your success. 

2nd Cohort Spring 2021 for DS4A/Empowerment

I had the honor of attending the Data Science for All / Empowerment (DS4A) program hosted by Correlation One. In it, individuals from underrepresented groups learned data science skills to apply to their careers. I appreciate that this program went beyond the standard boot-camp. We were assigned teaching assistants, meaning I had two data science professionals who answered my questions throughout the program. Additionally, I was mentored by two leaders in the tech field. Correlation One also hosts speakers who share their wisdom, career journeys, and answer and advice students and others who attend the sessions. As a result, I've been able to meet and learn from these individuals as well.One thing I appreciate about my DS4A experience is that people from all walks of life were included. Young, old, women, men, etc. I really liked that there was no ageism in the program. Since completing DS4A, many of us stay in touch and continue to share advice and resources. As data science is a field that is constantly changing, we are still learning and growing together!

The program started with learning the foundations of Python Programming for 4 weeks. Then the next weeks were learning data science topics using Jupyter notebook to learn the concepts using real-world examples and datasets. I definitely recommend you apply if you are interested in learning about data science and Python. This is my foundation to continue learning. the TAs, mentors, and my group members (yes, there will also be a group project that you will have to dedicate time and effort to complete) were all amazing. It has a great support system, so if you are a beginner, DS4A is the way to code and learn about becoming a Data Scientist.

- Excellent lectures and guest speakers from top universities and companies- students ("fellows") are part of a large cohort so a great network to tap into- smaller TA groups makes it easy to get help and 1on1 support- project work makes it easy to get to know your team and gives you an opportunity apply your learnings to a real world challenge of your choice

I mostly enjoyed the DS4A Empowerment program and personally recommended it to people in my network who I think would also benefit from it. One thing I liked a lot about DS4A is how they split the lessons into separate theory and coding portions. Data Science is not all about coding but I get the sense that most programs focus on coding without giving enough time to explain the fundamentals of understanding data and the best ways to analyze it. DS4A was not one of those programs. Some things to be prepared for is that since the program is still relatively new: it feels like they're still working on streamlining their application and other administrative processes. So sometimes you can get lost trying to determine when exactly what is due when, etc. Hopefully by the time you're applying or already in the program, that feedback will no longer be relevant, which I'm confident will be the case based on how much they ask for feedback and quickly implement changes. Another thing is that like most school programs, who is in your project group can greatly impact your experience. Luckily, I had an amazing, supportive team that made the program a rewarding experience and I hope you'll have one, too.I could tell that DS4A also puts a lot of effort into their job and career assistance programs. However, when I joined the program, my focus wasn't on getting a new job, so I didn't participate in all of those related workshops and speaker series. So I shouldn't rate the quality of that aspect.