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Dear Learner,

Nothing is impossible! Trust yourself and take it day by day. Start with simple tasks. You are going to meet people from various background. They all are going to inspire and motivate you in one or the other form. Have an open mind, you never know what you get to learn from others. Keep challenging yourself!!! Once you finish this, you will be so proud. You are definitely going to be better than what you are today! It is all about persistence and keeping the eye on the goal. You got this!!!

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Dear Rachel,

I know that you're really nervous to start this program with Merit. You quit your job because you weren't happy or challenged, and your mental health was suffering. You needed a change. I also know you're feeling anxious that you won't be able to learn something new. You're worried that you won't be able to keep up with the coursework (you haven't been in a classroom setting since college) and you'll fail.

I won't lie to you. There will be challenges. The first week you'll underestimate the amount of work you'll have to do and it will put you behind. You'll having a mini breakdown at your desk, but don't worry. Fredric will be there to comfort you. Give you words of encouragement. Your mom and siblings will also be a huge system of support. DON'T GIVE UP! You will finish and it will be rewarding when you do. Keep going. You're going to do fine.

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Hey there,

So, you're about to dive into a new phase of life, huh? Exciting stuff!

As you gear up for this adventure, I wanted to drop you a few nuggets of wisdom I've picked up along the way, especially when it comes to spotting and grabbing onto opportunities.

Alright, listen up.

Opportunities aren't always going to wave giant flags in your face. Sometimes, they sneak up on you when you least expect it, maybe even dressed up as a problem or setback. But here's the thing: behind every challenge lies a potential win. So, don't sweat the tough stuff too much. Keep your eyes peeled for those silver linings, and don't be afraid to get a little creative in finding them.

Next up, believe in yourself. Seriously, you've got way more ability than you give yourself credit for. When things get rocky, and trust me, they will… lean into your own resilience. You've got the chops to handle whatever life throws your way, so don't doubt yourself for a second.

Speaking of doubt, kick that scarcity mindset to the curb. Instead of fixating on what you lack, focus on what you've got going for you. Stay curious, stay open-minded, and always be on the lookout for new opportunities. Life's too short to play small.

Lastly let's talk about failure. It's gonna happen. But here's the kicker, it's not about avoiding failure altogether. It's about how you bounce back from it. Embrace those missteps as learning experiences and use them to fuel your next move. Trust me, you'll come out stronger on the other side.

Just remember, as you step into this new chapter, keep your eyes peeled for those hidden gems of opportunity. You’ve got to imagine the castle before anyone else sees it. Now go out there and show 'em what you're made of!

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To past me,

Life is going to be hard for the next few months, but keep moving forward. It's worth it in the end. You have so much self doubt, but the program will teach you things you never thought you would learn and those skills are going to make you feel like you can take on the world. Everyone you meet in the program will be so kind and encouraging and will be connections you can keep throughout your life. The 4 month course seems daunting, but it really does fly by. Keep pushing, keep moving forward. You and I both know that you're a survivor and you are determined to follow through, so DON'T GIVE UP. You are more than capable.

With Love,

Your Future Self

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Dear Luc,

You clearly want to improve your life. for that you will need some form of income and skills. You have chosen data analytics as a path to your better self. I want you to know one thing. nothing is impossible once you have the will to work hard. You will make it and we are going to celebrate it here with you telling me how easy it was. go ahead and do it Man !

By the way you are not going to be alone in this journey. You are going to be surrounded by an amazing team of coaches and peers. They will help you all the way. And you are not just going to get new skills but you are going to join a brand new family that will be in the same journey with you facing the same issues. Together you guys will fix it. Just keep working hard until you won't even realize it's the end. You got this !

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To my former self

You are about to experience a lot of new things that will make feel nervous and inadequate. You are enough and those things will get easier over time. Nobody expects you to meet every requirement in an application. Initiative will grant you many more opportunitys than if you just wait around for something to be handed to you.

Do not wait till the weekend to finish your course work .

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Dear Future Learner:

You will make it far! You are starting a new chapter in the benefit of yourself and those who are dear to you. You will be supported in many ways. Stay grounded, keep your foot on the gas, and break on through!

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I wish I knew before I started the program that I was going to be more interested in data science. Regardless, I'm glad I have this opportunity to create a strong foundation for my career with data analysis.

What you really needed was to polish your networking, interviewing, and online presence. This program gave you the opportunity to do so, and it went very well! You got that and more, some direction to navigate the chaotic seas you've found yourself in.

I was met with support and trust from my fellow learners and coach. I wasn't expecting it, but I managed to make real impressions on a few people. More expectedly was how much I have learned from them and being able to watch them also build a career.

I learned a lot more about my weaknesses and strengths, and I feel more confident than ever to live my life. It was everything you hoped for and more.

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To my past self,

You will meet amazing people and gain a strong support system through out the course. Make sure to make more time than you expect to complete assignments. And don't be afraid to reach out for help when needed. Keep up the hard work to expand your knowledge and push yourself to reach your goals. You got this!

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To myself,

I wish you could have found data analytics sooner. It's everything you enjoyed in school and more. You get to reconnect with family you didn't know were in the data analytics/science field. It was so hard some nights, not being able to figure something out or focus because you were so tired, but we got back up the next day and kept going. Two pieces of advice I can give are some of your least favorite things to hear from others; this too shall pass, and there is good in hard. Every part of life is just a different "phase", and the hard parts will pass. There's always something good to be found in those hard times, so don't just wait for them to be over. Jump in head first, even when you're unsure, because it is far better to try, fail, or make mistakes than to live with regrets or always wondering, what if?

Sincerely,

Me

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Dear Learner,

Welcome to the next step on your journey towards a better life! While it wasn't easy to make it to this point, you've decided to take a giant leap and you're going to come out on the other side as an entirely different version of yourself with more skills than you could have ever thought possible. Just thinking you can do something like this shows you are already there. You need to continue walking the path and when you inevitably run into a wall, you'll know whether to turn left, right, or climb over it. Don't forget to stop and smell the roses and appreciate the journey because that can be as important as the destination. You aren't alone and you'll meet some amazing people along the way. Embrace stepping outside of your comfort zone and enjoy what awaits you outside of it.

Congratulations on starting, now keep going!

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Hey,

As you embark on this new journey, there are a few things I wish I had known before diving in. Firstly, be prepared to embrace the learning curve fully. While you have some foundational knowledge, the program will challenge you in a new and unexpected way. Don't be discouraged by the initial difficulties; instead, see them as opportunities for growth.

Throughout the program, you'll gain not only technical skills but also invaluable soft skills (you know you need them). Don't worry, you'll have amazing new skills that will be invaluable in your future.

Don't underestimate the importance of building relationships, networking is key, even if it doesn't feel natural, I assure you putting the effort can lead to gret results.

My advice is simple, embrace the journey, be open to learning, be resilient to new challenges and enjoy the ride. You got this!

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Dear Nnamdi,

I am writing this letter to you and to let you know that I am super proud of you for having overcome all the obstacles you have overcome to get to where you are today.

When you took ill and have to be on medication that kept you drowsy for most of the time, you did not allow it to deter you, you kept pressing.

I know that there were times that you nearly threw in the towel but I am happy that you persevered until the very end. There are still a few obstacles along the way, the truth is that what you have overcome is far more than what you is before you. So keep pressing as I am super proud of you.

Regards,

Nnamdi

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First I want to start off by saying thank you for not giving up. You have came such a long way. Before starting the program you had no clue what you were getting yourself into, but you did not let that stop you. You have learned to code and visualize data. Just to think at one point you hated technology! You have such an amazing squad that is there to support you. You are not alone! Thank you for being patient and enduring even when we wanted to throw the laptop through the window you didn't. Remember to breathe, everyday is a learning experience. Just because you did not get it today does not mean you will never get it! The journey is not over, keep prospering and trusting in the process. You got this!

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Hey there,

I want you to know that despite the challenges you're facing, keep that fire burning within you. Every hurdle you conquer is a step closer to your triumph. Stay laser-focused on your goals and remember, success is waiting for you at the finish line. Take each task one step at a time, knowing that with perseverance, you'll emerge victorious. Time is on your side, so embrace the journey with confidence and determination. You've got this!

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I wish I had more creativity when it comes to visual presentation, especially in Excel. Thanks to Merit America I feel like I have gained the skills to not only do some coding with SQL and R but to also show off some visualization skills with Tableau. Meeting with with the people in this cohort has been the best experience and for the past few months I have always been eagerly waiting for the weekly meetings to see them. I wish everyone and my future the best and pray that we will be successful in our job hunting.

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Hey,

You have came a long way. Look at all the things you have accomplished to get you where you are. You have the support you need that you didn't know you had. Sometimes you wanted to give up but you kept going. People are proud of you. Look at all the great people you have met that encouraged you to keep going.

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You can't imagine how much change is coming. You have every right to feel blindsided; you live somewhere, with someone, youre settled, and you don't know that's about to end. But you're excited about your future now, in a way that you haven't been in years. Soon you'll start to feel like yourself again.

Pace yourself and don't let your feelings overwhelm your work ethic. Make time for your friends. Eat and sleep properly. You're in cocoon stage; you're becoming.

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Dear learner,

You are stronger then you know. Give yourself time and space to learn and fail. You will have many ups and many down but you will appreciate them all. Follow your path and be true to who you are because that person will not only open new door but kick down new walls. Your a baddy!!!