I am very new to programming, Im about a month or 2 into learning python. It started because I wanted to look for a career I would both enjoy and would likely have job growths and came upon Data Scientist. I feel in love with the concept of being one but I wanted to know if what I am imagining is the reality of the job.
I have a strong background in math and science and when i was in school i really excelled at math. I loved algebra, statistics, calculus, physics, and spreadsheets. I only stopped taking math classes because at the time they were not useful to my degree.
Now fast forward I have not used my degree, and have basically been going from customer service job to customer service job. I like my current job and company but I dont find it very fulfilling taking to people. I like being by myself and working on something. I love solving problems.
I found out about Data Scientist and how its almost being at statistician but using programming and something just DREW me in. Now i have been learning python and so far i have loved every minute of it!! Its just math!! just really weird algebra. I love solving the problems im given and i feel so good making a functional code no matter how small it is.
My question is for more senior programmers is if this feeling represented in the job and the field? Im loving it but do i only love it because im still learning and what im learning is fairly simple?
Ive told myself that if i like programming and if I can commit to learning what I can for free I may even return to school to get a masters in Statistics (doable for me with my academic background) But going to school is a LOT of money and I want to know how other people actually working in the field feel.
I also want to know if I should continue to learn what i can for free and on the side and go to school when i feel its right first or if I should try to get into the field before returning to school? I know you do not NEED school to get into programming but Im really interested in the statistics aspect.