Hey there, fellow data scientists! I’m sure many of you can relate to this feeling: you’ve just landed your first job as a data scientist, and suddenly, you’re thrown into a world of AI hype and agentic AI projects that seem way out of your league. That’s exactly what happened to me, and I’m guessing, to many others out there. My background is in traditional machine learning – regression, classification, basic NLP, and so on. But my new company wants me to explore deploying AI agents for specific use cases. The problem is, I have no idea where to start.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and disillusioned like I was, here’s what I’ve learned so far. First, take a deep breath and acknowledge that it’s okay not to know everything. You’ve been hired for your potential, not your expertise in agentic AI (yet!). Next, start by learning the basics. There are plenty of online resources, tutorials, and courses that can help you get up to speed with newer techniques like agentic AI. Don’t be afraid to ask your colleagues or mentors for guidance, either.
Another crucial thing to remember is that your company wants you to succeed. They’re investing time and resources into you, so don’t be shy about asking for help or clarification on projects. And finally, focus on building a strong foundation in the fundamentals of data science. As you progress, you’ll naturally start to explore more advanced topics, including agentic AI.
So, if you’re feeling lost in your first data science job, just know that you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, and with persistence, hard work, and a willingness to learn, you’ll catch up in no time.