Back in May, I graduated with my Master’s in Business Analytics from USC. Coming from a non-tech background, the learning curve was no joke. I still remember sitting in my first coding class thinking, “Wait… do people actually understand this?” Then came Python assignments, machine learning models, and coding exams where pseudo coding in plain English suddenly had to become actual code, with the right syntax, under pressure. On top of that, statistics felt like learning a whole new language. There were plenty of moments I wondered if I’d ever catch up or if I had made a mistake choosing this path. But behind every grad is a support system, and I’ve had an incredible one: professors who granted deadline extensions (true heroes), classmates who came through with last-minute notes, friends who provided late-night pep talks, and family who supported me. I'm thankful for every one of them. Fast forward to now, I’m working as Head of Data at TipTop Technologies. I get to lead data strategy and work on products like COMMA, our AI-powered speech assessment tool, and other initiatives that bring data and AI into real-world applications. Some days it feels like we’re building the future of AI, other days it’s just about figuring things out step by step, but either way, it’s work I genuinely love. If this journey taught me anything, it’s that growth happens when you push past what feels comfortable. What once seemed intimidating in the classroom is now what I use every day to tackle real-world problems. Excited to keep learning and see where this next chapter goes. Fight On! ✌🏻