Brooke Conway: Family First, University Next, My Unconventional Path to Finding Freedom from "Data"
"I feel like my path has been unconventionally backwards." says Brooke Conway, currently a Data Science graduate student at GTSI.
Back in San Francisco, Brooke got married at an early age and has raised four kids. Before earning her degree in Finance and Decision Science from San Francisco State University, she was also busy running a one-person spa business.
In 2022, Brooke and his family left the United States and relocated to Hong Kong. After spending months addressing logistical errands from obtaining visas, finding a place to live, to school arrangements for the kids, Brooke started to ask herself, "What am I truly interested in? How far can I go this time?"
Thus, the seeds planted in Brooke's heart during her undergraduate years finally blossomed. Brooke chose the "numbers" she had loved since childhood, driven by her curiosity to unravel the laws and facts behind the numbers. Upon learning about the GTSI Master of Science in Analytics program, she quickly applied for admission, traveled to Shenzhen, and sat in the classroom once again.
For two to three days a week, Brooke has to attend school, being separated from his family and children. Even upon returning home, she has to dedicate herself to self-studying and completing her schoolwork. "I work so hard, but isn’t that the case for all GTSI students? Everyone is pursuing their own goals. It doesn't feel like we're grinding it out. We’re simply enjoying it."
As of now, Brooke has started her second semester at GTSI. With the integration and evolution of the curriculum system, she began to find her place in the data analytics field. With the guidance of her professors, she is gradually identifying her strengths and professional focus within the field.
Looking ahead to the future, what Brooke anticipates most is a sense of freedom from data, a way to grasp useful information in chaos. "After all, life is usually filled with complex situations. Having an analytical insight will help me 'clean' it and turn it into something truly meaningful."
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Brooke Conway: Finding My Place in the Data Analytics Field