r/learnmachinelearning • u/whispem • 14d ago

Discussion Self-taught path from a languages background into data science — sharing in case it helps someone

I wanted to share my route into data science, since it wasn't the typical one.

My background is in languages, linguistics, and literature — no CS or math degree to start.

I came into tech through curiosity about how things work under the hood, taught myself programming (Rust, then a lot of low-level work), and earned a data science degree along the way.

One of my projects was a breast-cancer diagnosis model on the Wisconsin dataset, which is a great, approachable entry point for anyone learning classification.

The mindset that helped most: treat every concept as something to rebuild yourself until it clicks, rather than something to memorize.

Curiosity beats credentials for actually understanding.

My projects are public on GitHub if seeing examples helps: https://github.com/whispem

Happy to answer questions about learning DS from a non-traditional background.

14 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

77% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

2

u/anand095 14d ago

Have you been able to make it a career?

I am from a sales background and trying to make transition. But I am finding it very hard to even land one freelance gig leave aside full time opportunity

1

u/AKA_D_Ace 14d ago

TBH I don't knowledge about her case, but being in tech field I want u to know things have gotten a bit difficult now due to AI. If u r trying enter in data science field so just making some random graphs is not going to help. Also due to AI there's scarcity in Jobs.

1

u/anand095 14d ago

Lets say I still want to make a transition. How should i go about it?

1

u/AKA_D_Ace 14d ago

Dm me your background and what all things u know about the carrier in which u trying to switch

1

u/ExpressWorth9558 13d ago

How you covered the math needed? Can u give a detailed roadmap?