AYV News, September 2, 2026
Thirteen months ago, a young professional walked through the doors of Sierra Leone’s Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) with curiosity, enthusiasm and a strong desire to learn.
With limited experience in data science at the time, the journey began as one of discovery, learning how to work with data, develop analytical solutions and apply technology to real-world challenges.
Today, 13 months later, the professional reflects on a period marked by significant growth, challenges and valuable experiences, describing the journey at DSTI as transformative.
Over the past year and one month, the individual has had the opportunity to contribute to various projects, strengthen technical skills, collaborate with experienced professionals and participate in data-driven initiatives aimed at addressing practical challenges.
The journey, however, has not been without difficulties.
Challenges, mistakes and moments of uncertainty became part of the learning process. Rather than being setbacks, these experiences provided opportunities to improve, develop new skills and gain a deeper understanding of the responsibilities of a data scientist.
Looking back, the individual says the most rewarding part of the experience is being able to recognise the difference between who they were when they started and the more confident and capable professional they have become today.
“I came to DSTI as a beginner. 13 months later, I am a more confident, capable, and continuously learning Data Scientist.”
The professional has expressed appreciation to the leadership of DSTI for providing the trust, opportunities, mentorship, guidance and support that made it possible to learn and contribute meaningfully.
Special recognition was also extended to colleagues and the wider DSTI family for their role in sharing knowledge, encouraging collaboration and challenging new ideas.
According to the reflection, every project, discussion, training session and challenge contributed to the professional development achieved over the 13-month period.
The experience also highlights the growing importance of data science and technology in Sierra Leone’s development, particularly as institutions increasingly rely on data-driven approaches to inform decisions and develop solutions to national challenges.
For the emerging data scientist, however, the journey is far from over.
The next chapter will focus on continued learning, developing impactful data-driven solutions and using technology and data to contribute more meaningfully to Sierra Leone’s development.
The 13-month milestone therefore represents not an end point, but the beginning of a much bigger professional journey, one that started with curiosity and is steadily developing into expertise, confidence and purpose.
