In the vast world of freelancing, sometimes the most rewarding projects are those that force us out of our comfort zones. Pete Melgren, a freelance data science professional specializing in Python, had such an experience. ▶️👇
The project seemed straightforward at first glance: develop a Python script to read Apache Hive tables, including XML fields, and export this data to files. The necessary skills listed were Python and SQLAlchemy. Pete, confident in his Python expertise, decided to apply despite not having any previous experience with Apache Hive.
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Upon further communication with the client, Pete discovered that the project required extracting data from an inaccessible Apache Hive database. The client would provide a CSV of example data to facilitate the process. Additionally, the extracted data needed to be exported in a fixed-width format, complete with a specific header and footer.
Despite his initial lack of knowledge in Apache Hive, Pete chose to accept this challenge, proving a fundamental truth about freelancing: you don’t always need to know everything before you start a project.
What you need instead is the willingness to learn, adapt, and deliver on your commitments.
Throughout the project, Pete dove headfirst into Apache Hive. He quickly learned how to navigate this new terrain, building on his existing Python and SQLAlchemy skills to read, interpret, and extract the necessary data.
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The project, which initially seemed daunting, turned into a valuable learning experience, expanding Pete’s skill set and giving him more confidence to take on diverse projects in the future.
Pete’s experience underscores an essential lesson for freelancers in data science and other fields alike: Embrace challenges. They may seem intimidating at first, but they often lead to growth, new skills, and future opportunities. When faced with an unfamiliar task, don’t shy away—step forward and seize the opportunity to learn something new.
Freelancing isn’t just about showcasing what you already know—it’s about continuously learning, evolving, and expanding your capabilities. And sometimes, it’s about diving into the unknown, just like Pete did.
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While working as a researcher in distributed systems, Dr. Christian Mayer found his love for teaching computer science students.
To help students reach higher levels of Python success, he founded the programming education website Finxter.com that has taught exponential skills to millions of coders worldwide. He’s the author of the best-selling programming books Python One-Liners (NoStarch 2020), The Art of Clean Code (NoStarch 2022), and The Book of Dash (NoStarch 2022). Chris also coauthored the Coffee Break Python series of self-published books. He’s a computer science enthusiast, freelancer, and owner of one of the top 10 largest Python blogs worldwide.
His passions are writing, reading, and coding. But his greatest passion is to serve aspiring coders through Finxter and help them to boost their skills. You can join his free email academy here.