Dimitri Wilhelm, from the tech start-up to the neue fische Data Science Bootcamp

Dimitri Wilhelm, via the neue fische data science bootcamp to become a company builder – an experience report

Fascination with data science: “The end of gut feeling”

When friends from outside the field ask me what we actually learned in the neue fische bootcamp, I always explain to them that our basic goal is to make decisions based on data and not on gut feeling. We learned machine learning methods to be able to make statements about certain events based on collected data and programming to be able to look at the data adequately. By the way, eliminating uncertainties and gut feelings is exactly what fascinates me so much: I believe that data science will sustainably change every industry and every company and I am happy to be part of this development and to have completed the neue fische Data Science Bootcamp!

Wanted: the right introduction to data science

I originally studied business mathematics and worked in the area of algorithmic trading in the financial industry. In the last three years, however, I have been a founder in the tech startup scene - at the interface between IT and business. Inevitably, I had to deal more and more with the technical side and it became more and more clear to me: I want to solve problems and build digital products myself instead of hiring other people to do it! I asked around in my network about what could be a suitable introduction to data science and started with a few online courses. It was almost by chance that I became aware of the neue fische bootcamp – a week before the course started! Two days later I stood on the new fische campus for the first time and within a very short time I knew: the new fische data science bootcamp is exactly what I was looking for!

The highlight of the bootcamp? The experienced mentor!

As a mathematician, analytical thinking is in my blood - which of course makes getting into the bootcamp a little easier, for example, compared to career changers from the humanities or economics. I had already heard of many of the methods we learned at the beginning, but it didn't take long for me to enter completely new territory. I particularly appreciated that our head coach Matthias came from practice and not only taught us the methodological background, but also always thought directly about the problems of everyday life. As we sat at our digital journeymen's pieces and a wide variety of problems arose, we realized: Matthias had already solved every single one of them at some point in his career. What I particularly like about the concept of this practical thesis is that you can specialize. For example, I built a recommendation engine, meaning I derived personalized recommendations for the future from a user's past actions.
Another plus point of the bootcamp: In the last few weeks, thanks to new fish, we have gotten to know companies of different sizes and from different industries. We had the chance to come into personal contact with potential employers and, without any formal application process, to get a first impression of which environment would best suit which graduate. It was clear to me: I wanted a job in which I could continue to learn and deepen my data science knowledge - and the good news is: I've already found a way to get started! Thanks for the great experience!