Andreia Caroll
"As a working parent, I needed something flexible and manageable. Woolf’s structure fit me perfectly. I was nervous at first, balancing work, parenting, and midnight classes, but the support, resources, and sense of community kept me going."
Woolf Helped Me Change Career Directions and Find The Confidence Through Data and Community
I’m Andreia Carroll, originally from Portugal and now living in Ireland. I’ve worked as a nurse for many years, but after relocating, I began craving a new direction within healthcare. That search led me to data analytics, a field I knew little about but felt drawn to. Woolf, in partnership with the Data Science Institute, gave me a way to explore it.
What stood out immediately was the flexibility. As a working parent, I needed something flexible and manageable. Woolf’s structure fit me perfectly. I was nervous at first, balancing work, parenting, and midnight classes, but the support, resources, and sense of community kept me going.
Though I haven’t fully left nursing, I’ve stepped into a new role as a Clinical Research Nurse, a position I found while still completing the program. I may not use Python or R every day, but what I learned — especially in research skills, statistics, and confidence — directly shaped this transition. My final project focused on clinical trials and that’s where I found my spark.
It’s hard to come up with only one or two core memories when the entire program was so enjoyable. But, I do remember solving a coding challenge in R after hours of effort. That breakthrough moment, that rush of “I did it!” is something I’ll always carry with me. It reminded me how capable I am even when starting from scratch.
The group I learned with was another highlight. We never met in person, but we noticed when someone wasn’t in class because of how outgoing everyone was. It was a lively, smart group, and our tutor, Babita, made it all the more enjoyable. Those late-night sessions didn’t feel so lonely after all.
To future students: just go for it. It’s doable, rewarding, and full of support. I came in unsure, and I left more confident than ever.
My future plans are still being laid out. While I plan to stay in clinical research and build my experience, one day, I’d love a more remote role. Maybe in healthcare analytics or project management. Whatever path I take, Woolf gave me the momentum I needed to keep moving forward.
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