Ahmed Balogun has been working as a Data Scientist for the past 7 years and has contributed his expertise to various prominent tech companies, including Shopify and UL Solutions. Ahmed’s educational background is diverse, with undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wyoming, followed by a Master’s in Computer Science from Georgia Tech.
Recently, we met to discuss Ahmed’s journey from mechanical engineering to data science, his experiences as a Nigerian immigrant in college, and his insights on work-life balance in the fast-paced world of technology. We also explored his most challenging and exciting projects, as well as the valuable career advice he’s received along the way. Below is an edited transcript of our enlightening conversation.
Relwan: I’ve always found your shift from mechanical engineering to computer science interesting, since we both share this history of pivoting even after postgraduate studies. Did your interest in computer science develop during your first master’s, or did that develop later? What motivated your transition to computer science and to data science more specifically?
Ahmed: My interest in programming actually came during my undergrad. A friend and I started a cute little startup to help students find free food on campus. As a mechanical engineer, I couldn’t do much programming, but when I worked on the startup, I realized programming was much cooler. The quick turnaround time really appealed to me – as a mechanical engineer, design and build processes take a lot of time, but with programming, you can use what you build almost instantly. After graduating, I knew I wanted to pursue programming. My first job was with UL as a DevOps engineer doing release engineering. I gravitated towards the data aspect, looking at metrics we tracked. For instance, when our system went down, it was stressful for everyone. So I started exploring metrics that could predict system failures, allowing us to proactively troubleshoot. That was my first foray into data science. I enjoyed working with data so much that while working full-time at UL, I enrolled in an online Master’s in Computer Science program at Georgia Tech. Eventually, I transitioned to a full-fledged data science role.
Relwan: That’s fascinating. Let’s go back a bit – tell us more about that startup. What eventually happened with it?
Ahmed [laughs before responding]: Unfortunately, it failed, but it was an incredible learning experience for me. It actually changed my career path. We got some traction and built a system, but then our college enabled a feature in their calendar system that allowed filtering for free food events. That kind of cannibalized our necessity. Rather than trying to pivot, we decided we’d learned enough and called it quits.
Relwan: I appreciate that you see it as a learning experience. Many find it hard to view failure as an opportunity for growth. Is that the approach you took?
Ahmed: Absolutely. To be honest, my goal from the beginning was just to learn. I wanted to do something different, engage with new ideas, and see where it would take me. I didn’t envision retiring off it or making millions. It was more about building something, having fun, and seeing what happened.
Relwan: How old were you when you started this venture?
Ahmed: I think it was during my junior year, so I must have been around 19 or 20.
Relwan: That’s impressive! Do you think your youthful spirit and ambition played a role? Is that something you miss, or do you still have that drive now?
Ahmed: I think there’s definitely an aspect of youthful ambition that encouraged it. I still have that curiosity and drive, but it manifests differently now. Back then, as a student, I had fewer responsibilities. I could invest time and a bit of money into cloud hosting without major consequences. Now, as an adult with more responsibilities, decisions need to be more calculated. There’s more at stake, so I have to consider the realistic scenario of things not working out and have a backup plan. That said, I still try to maintain that spirit of adventure, just in different ways. For example, a friend from the startup days continued on the entrepreneurial path and is doing really well. We still discuss strategies, and I enjoy being involved from a distance. But at this point in my life, I’m not willing to put in the crazy hours that startups often demand. I’ve realized the importance of prioritizing health and spending time with family and friends.
Relwan: That makes sense. It’s about balancing our passions with the demands of work and life. Speaking of which, I know you have a passion for traveling, outdoor activities, and DIY projects. You even redid your stairs by yourself!
Ahmed: Yes, I replaced the carpeted stairs with hardwood. And, I built the shelf behind me in this video call.
Relwan: That’s right; I remember the pictures you shared as you completed that project. So, how do you maintain these passions alongside your demands as a data scientist? How does your approach to work-life balance enhance your effectiveness in both team and individual projects?
Ahmed: I see these pursuits as ways to recharge and be more effective in my work and life in general. It’s easy to get tunnel vision when you focus too much on one thing. Having hobbies and engagements outside of work helps me show up at work energized and ready to contribute. The time away from work allows me to refresh and think about solving problems in entirely different ways. Ultimately, all of this positively impacts the quality of my work and helps maintain a healthy balance in life.
Relwan: It sounds like you’re saying that attending to these other pursuits is essential for optimal work performance and avoiding burnout. Many have been exposed to that toxic brand of work culture that suggests giving yourself entirely to your career is the only way to advance, but you’re suggesting that’s not sustainable in the long run?
Ahmed: Exactly. But this also relates to my own personal priorities. I’m okay with not being the CEO or VP of my company. I’ve realized what’s important to me and how to prioritize that. If my career limit is a manager or director role, that’s fine. There’s a quote I came across: “Nobody on their deathbed wishes they had worked more hours.” Everyone thinks about other things when they’re dying, so why not prioritize those things that truly matter now?
Relwan: That’s a great perspective—thanks for articulating that so clearly. Of course, while some may aspire to roles like VP or CEO, which can come with more sacrifices, it’s important to recognize that not everyone needs or wants to follow that path. Finding a balance that aligns with one’s personal priorities is just as valid and fulfilling.
Ahmed: Yes, exactly!
Relwan: Let’s go back a bit. You came from Nigeria at the age of 16, right? Tell us about that experience. Had you been to the States before? How was the transition for you?
Ahmed: It was actually my first time leaving Nigeria. I came here primarily because I wanted to learn more. The education system in Nigeria, while I excelled according to quantitative metrics, wasn’t optimized for practical knowledge. I found myself memorizing and regurgitating information rather than internalizing and growing. I wanted a different approach, and the University of Wyoming made the most financial sense for me among the admissions and packages I received.
Relwan: So, you came as a 16-year-old, typically the youngest in most, if not all, of your classes. How was that for you, and how has it shaped your experience?
Ahmed: At first, I was hesitant to mention my age, but I would if asked directly. Interestingly, most of my friendships were with people significantly older than me, often four to five years older. Fortunately, I appeared older, so it wasn’t really questioned much.
Relwan: What about being Nigerian? Was there a culture shock?
Ahmed: Definitely. Wyoming isn’t a super diverse place. Before going, I looked at the demographics and saw something like 2% Black population. I knew I would stick out like a sore thumb, and I did. But I learned to use that uniqueness as an advantage – to be authentic and original. It helped me stand out to my teachers, engage more in office hours, and be more involved overall. That said, there were instances of discrimination, both subtle and blatant. For example, in my freshman and sophomore years, I couldn’t get an internship despite being among the top students in my program. It was frustrating, but it taught me to be more persistent and to keep working hard.
Relwan: Thanks for sharing your experience; I’m sure that was frustrating. I also think everyone can learn from your ability to recognize the value in being unique, even if it comes with initial challenges.
Ahmed: Absolutely.
Relwan: Just a couple more questions. What’s the most exciting or challenging data science project you’ve worked on?
Ahmed: The most exciting was early in my career at UL. I delivered a high-value project that secured significant funding. I was able to combine my machine learning skills with my past experiences in web development and DevOps to create a fully functional demo. Instead of just sharing my screen, I set up a website where executives could interact with the model directly. It was a hit, and we got about $10 million in funding to take it to the next level. It was exciting to see how all my past experiences came together in this project. As for the most challenging, it was working on integrating GPT into Copilot with my previous team at Microsoft. There was immense pressure to deliver this feature that had been publicly announced. We were learning about prompt engineering at breakneck speed and applying it to a product used by millions globally. It was challenging but exciting to be at the forefront of applying cutting-edge technology.
Relwan: That’s impressive! Last question: What’s the best advice you’ve received that has aided your career as a data scientist?
Ahmed: My first manager gave me great advice. He said to think of your career or life as being on a ship leaving New York with the goal of reaching South Africa. You can go with the flow and hope you’ll get there, or you can be intentional about navigating. Being intentional – having a compass, checking milestones – is more likely to get you there than just drifting. This applies to both life and work. Whether your goal is to become a C-suite executive, a middle manager, or an individual contributor, it’s important to be intentional. Write down your plans, think about where you want to be in three, five, or ten years, and work towards it. Things don’t just happen; you need to make them happen.
Relwan: That’s great advice for aspiring data scientists and professionals in general. Thanks for sharing your insights and experiences, Ahmed.
Ahmed: Thanks, Relwan, I enjoyed the conversation.
Columnist: Relwan Onikoyi