Little Belle's Mama

My journey with Harvard Online has been nothing short of transformative. When my company announced scholarship opportunities for the Data Science Principles course, I knew I had to apply. This was the only Harvard course my company offered, and I was fortunate to be selected. The moment I received confirmation that I was granted the scholarship, I was beyond excited. The course began in February, and I was ready to embark on this new learning adventure.

Having taken courses on platforms like Coursera and attended leadership programs in the past, I thought I knew what to expect. However, the difference was striking. Harvard’s content is incredibly well-written, deeply thought out, and expertly presented. It became clear why Harvard is one of the best schools in the world. Every module was structured in a way that made even the most complex concepts digestible while still being intellectually challenging.

Deadlines played a crucial role in the learning process. Every Wednesday at 6 PM, assignments were due, and I am the kind of person who prefers to complete tasks as early as possible to avoid last-minute stress. As soon as the modules were released, I would dive in immediately. Balancing work, motherhood, and household responsibilities with my husband meant I had to be strategic about my study time. Most of my learning happened on my phone while my daughter was asleep. But some questions were so thought-provoking that I had to pause and revisit them when my mind was fresher. Working eight hours a day can be mentally exhausting, and there were moments when my brain simply could not absorb more information.

Week three presented a challenge that tested my discipline. I began the module but quickly realized the questions were significantly tougher than expected. I put it aside, thinking I’d return to it later. Then, life happened—we traveled to Málaga, Spain, for my birthday, and naturally, we got busy. When we returned to Germany on a Wednesday at 4 PM, I realized I still had not completed the module. I considered working on it at a restaurant, but time slipped away as we navigated through the airport. With just minutes to spare before the deadline, I rushed through the module while my husband entertained our daughter. Unfortunately, I missed the deadline by 30 minutes. Panic set in, but thankfully, Harvard was understanding. Since it was my first time missing a deadline and I had consistently submitted my work early before, they allowed me to continue the course. That experience solidified an important lesson—do not procrastinate.

Despite the challenges, I successfully completed the course and will soon receive my certificate. The sense of accomplishment is immense. Studying at Harvard has always been a dream of mine, and while I could not afford to attend college there in my younger years, this opportunity was the next best thing. I sincerely hope my company continues offering more Harvard courses.

Throughout the course, I gained invaluable knowledge in data science. One of the first things we covered was data quality. Poor-quality data leads to inaccurate results, making it essential to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency in datasets.

Predictions and recommendations were another fascinating aspect. We explored how machine learning models are trained to predict outcomes based on historical data. The applications of this are everywhere, from recommendation engines on streaming services to predictive maintenance in industries.

Understanding cause and effect in data science was particularly eye-opening. It is easy to assume correlations imply causation, but without proper analysis, we risk making inaccurate conclusions. The course emphasized the importance of A/B testing and controlled experiments to establish causal relationships.

Data privacy and governance were crucial topics that shed light on ethical concerns. With the increasing reliance on data, protecting user privacy is more important than ever. We discussed regulations like GDPR and best practices in ensuring data security.

Algorithms, the backbone of data science, were explored in depth. From sorting and searching algorithms to complex machine learning techniques, I gained a deeper appreciation for how these automated processes work behind the scenes.

The data science ecosystem was another significant part of the curriculum. We examined the roles of data engineers, data analysts, and data scientists, along with the various tools and technologies they use.

Finally, we delved into data sensing and wrangling. I learned how data is collected, processed, and prepared for analysis. Data in its raw form is often messy, and cleaning it is a crucial step before deriving insights.

This course was more than just an academic endeavor; it was a personal growth experience. It reinforced the value of discipline, time management, and continuous learning. Harvard Online delivered an exceptional learning experience, and I look forward to applying this knowledge in my work. Most importantly, I have learned that with the right mindset and effort, dreams—like studying at Harvard—can become a reality.