The course was also difficult in unexpected ways. During the final exam, there was an issue with the database we were given, which made an already high-pressure situation even more stressful. I had also chosen (for reasons I cannot explain) to take the exam at midnight, which only added to my stress as I frantically tried to email the teacher and TA about the issue in all caps. I had a disturbing amount of caffeine. Despite this, this class helped me prove to myself that I could solve problems even in the most confusing environments.
INFO 330: Working With Databases
INFO 330: Databases and Data Modeling was one of the most challenging courses I have ever taken, partially because the organization and logic of databases was tough for me to grasp, but also due to the disorganized nature of the class. The class focused on relational databases, SQL, and the logic behind organizing large datasets in order to answer complex questions accurately. The course gave me valuable technical knowledge, but it also demanded a level of focus and dedication that I found difficult at times, especially when small mistakes with database organization could greatly impact if a query was successful or not.
For our final project, my team created a video analyzing global inequity by comparing data across countries. Using SQL, we examined relationships between GDP, greenhouse gas emissions, education levels, employment rates, poverty measures, and other indicators across multiple databases. We had to determine the correct keys to join datasets and adjust how variables were quantified so that meaningful comparisons could be made. Through this process, I began to understand SQL not just as a querying tool, but as a way of structuring evidence. I also learned that I literally despise SQL, but it is one of the lesser evils out of the coding languages I have had to learn.