I have over decade of experience in cleaning, manipulating and analyzing data to beautifully visualize into a nice power point slide, and lately, I’ve been itching to get into the world of data journalism.

I love writing (obviously!) and data journalism seems like the perfect blend / mix of two things that I not only enjoy, but have the skills for.

I used to think that I had to separate my professional life filled with numbers from my personal life, filled with words and lofty dreams. However, as I mature, I’m realizing that my skills and seemingly unrelated interests are what makes me me and there is no need to try to separate my interests.

In fact, it’s okay to have various interests and hobbies. They don’t have to make sense or fall nicely into a narrative arc, because when did humans ever make sense? It’s okay to geek out analyzing data during the day and binge watch TV at night, brunch all weekend and sometimes hit the museum during the weekends.

And what’s promising is that the marketplace is slowly acknowledging that the need for interdisciplinary competency. While it’s great to have a strength in one domain, understanding of other domains is slowly being embraced. In other words, it’s not unfashionable to be a Renaissance man or woman.

With that said, I want to find out how I can break into the world of data journalism. I really like Paul Bradshaw’s description of what it takes to be a data journalist. Nothing completely new here, but I plan on researching more of what I should do to break into the field and look forward to sharing my journey with you.

Is there something new that you are itching to try out but haven’t had the courage to yet? Please share and keep us posted of your journey!

Photo by ShareGrid on Unsplash