From Teaching to Data Science: Eamon’s Journey of Passion and Persistence

Eamon’s story is a compelling blend of personal and professional evolution deeply rooted in the rich culture of Louisiana. Born and raised in this vibrant state, Eamon’s journey is marked by a passion for helping others, a love for data, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference in his community. 

From his early days studying chemistry and forensics to his current role as an Operations Data Analyst at SCP Health, Eamon’s path is a testament to the power of adaptability and lifelong learning.

Learn how the Institute of Data’s Data Science & AI program and our trainers helped support Eamon’s path towards entering the Data Science Industry

1. Eamon, please tell me a little bit about yourself. 

I was born and raised in Louisiana. I still live here and haven’t moved more than two streets down from where I was born.

For those who don’t know about Louisiana, it’s hot and humid, but the food is really, really good.

The culinary influence is a blend of French, Creole, Haitian, and Spanish cultures, resulting a wonderful array of flavours. One of my favourite dishes is Boudin, which is made with a flavourful filling encased in a casing.

Music-wise, Louisiana has a lot going on too. Zydeco (a dance music genre that originated in rural southwest Louisiana in the 20th century) is often heard around the local Mardi Gras festival, which is always a fun celebration of Louisiana’s culture. 

We live by the saying “Laissez les bons temps rouler” (Let the good times roll/ let the bad things be forgotten).

2. That sounds wonderful. Could you please tell me about your career so far and what you have studied or pursued?

At University, I studied chemistry and focused on explosives and pyrophorics. I also minored in mathematics and forensics. I wanted to become a forensic chemist, focusing on investigating the different bombings the United States was experiencing at the time.

I was really inspired to pursue this path because when I was little, there were many threats to the United States (9/11 was the pinnacle of this)—this came from my inclination to want to help people.

However, by the time I graduated, things had settled down in that regard – the threats had decreased.

I still tried to get a job in pyrophorics—that paid $12.50 an hour—but I was making $15 an hour at Starbucks with tips, so the incentives weren’t there.

I then worked as a math teacher for two years because I’m good at math. But I found it difficult to handle a large classroom of 35-45 kids. It got overwhelming, so while I loved teaching, I left after about two years.

I still wanted to help people, though.

Coincidentally, my brother’s girlfriend recommended me for a position at an organisation called Acadiana Cares, a company that supports people with substance abuse issues and HIV. They were looking for someone good at logical thinking, mathematics, and computers – that sounded great to me so i took the job.

At first, I spent a lot of time in Excel spreadsheets, wrangling data, and managing electronic health resources (EHRs). As I did more of this work I essentially shifted into more of a Data Analysis role – identifying trends and patterns.

Finding trends and using data to improve our clinic’s performance and data efficiency made me realise I could use these skills to help people. I loved it; to me, it just flowed.  

This work felt like a meaningful way to contribute to the community, and I really enjoyed it!

Initially I did a lot of data processing using Excel. It led me to learn about Python and its capabilities for data analysis, which piqued my interest due to its faster data processing abilities. As someone who is obsessed with getting better performance measures, I decided to pursue learning Python.

Once I discovered that Python and advanced AI were taught at the Institute of Data, I decided to sign up for the classes.

3. Why did you decide to study the Data Science & AI Program? 

Well, I decided I wanted to do work that brought my skills forward in a meaningful way.

I have a peculiar skill set in that I’m great with math, and I’m great at explaining things to people, but, I’m also very focused on making things better for my community.

From my time at Acadiana Cares I realised that being a data analyst really used all my innate skills and talents.

I understand data, and working with it calls out to the right parts of me.

It’s easier and it’s way less stressful than teaching, and I still feel like I’m helping people.

I found out about the Institute of Data through Google. I saw that the Data Science & AI Program was provided in conjunction with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. I called the local representative, and they set everything up for me.

4. How was your experience of the program? 

To be honest, the program was mostly easy for me. When I signed up, I did a bit of programming on Data Camp, so I felt like I had a good introduction there.

Of course, at the end of the classes, I was exhausted and ready to go to bed. But since the part-time program was only two nights a week and then every other Saturday for eight hours, I still felt like I had time to do things and hang out with friends, especially since Friday nights I didn’t have anything on. 

Thinking back, the challenging part for me was understanding the Python language models. I initially had trouble with that because I’m more scientifically inclined than ‘English-language’ inclined.

But, I brought that problem to my work, practised at work, and developed a program to read our grants and extract the necessary information without us having to read through the 50-something pages.

I had to buckle down for that and I made a LOT of mistakes.

My approach to solving it was to keep asking myself why until I got to the issue at hand. Then, I’d try to figure out how to correct it.

5. Did any of the program’s resources stand out to you? 

I cannot emphasise enough how much the trainers helped us. David, Rick, and Miranda were amazing!

Rick helped me with my resume and showed me how to make it 20 times better! He was a great help!

The trainers were instrumental in helping me get through.

6. That’s great to hear. I understand that you have landed your first job in the industry. Congratulations. Can you tell me about that?

Sure. I ended up talking to one of my friends who said that they worked for a company that needed a data analyst. So, I sent my friend my resume and he passed it up. While I was being interviewed, the interviewers asked me if I knew how to use Excel, and I was like, yeah, I know how to use Excel.

Then, I started explaining my extensive experience with using Excel at Arcadiana Cares but also how we could take things further using other software like Python.

It feels like a really good match for me. My official job title now is Operations Data Analyst at SCP Health. 

In my new role I look forward to talking to the clinical directors and helping them maximise the care potential for the patients.

This is not just because it’ll make my company a bunch of money and save me a job. I also know that in the background, it’s going to help the patients. So I’m helping the patients, helping my job, helping myself – it’s a good fit for me.

7. It sounds to me like a great fit. What does it mean to you on a personal level to have landed where you have? 

It means I get to sleep at night, I’m in a comfortable place, and I’m not stressed out.

I want to acknowledge that for me a big part of this was the friends that I made. My friend group all take turns lifting each other up. I have another friend who I have recommended to Acadiana Cares. So, I really believe in finding people who want to help you and that you want to help and lift each other up – It’s a lot easier than lifting yourself all by yourself.

8. Do you have any more advice for people on the job hunt?

My advice to those who are looking for work in the Data Science industry is to call the companies you want to work for. Call them and ask exactly what positions they have open and what positions you could fill with your skills.

You might ask, for example, “What would you have available for a person who knows a lot about computers and data and analysis?”. Most companies will tell you they don’t have anything. They will tell you that they’re filled up. But I recommend you just keep going and stay persistent – you will learn a lot. The ones that reject you won’t remember that you called and the ones that are looking for someone will remember you.

9. Finally, what do you say to those curious about moving into the Data Science industry?

My advice is to kick past the goalpost.

If you’re given a project, don’t just do the minimum to get that project done.

Give it your all because, often, going above and beyond what the projects called for, while harder at the time, helps a lot when you get out of the classroom because you end up knowing more overall.

Also, do your best to reach out to people when you need help. There’s always a person like me or Rick (my trainer) who wants to help. It’s all about community, even for an introvert like me. It’s about people.

If you’d like to learn more about our Data Science & AI Program, please download a course outline.

Alternatively, you can speak about the program directly with a team member by booking a career consultation to start your journey with an actionable plan.

You can connect with Eamon and follow his professional journey on Linkedin.