Can a data science bootcamp in Montreal really change your career trajectory? At Le Wagon Montreal’s recent Demo Day and alumni panel, three alumni from the Data Science & AI bootcamp shared their journeys from diverse professional backgrounds into thriving data roles in Canada. Their stories offer practical insights for anyone considering upskilling into data.
Saeed Afghah is a data analyst at Behaviour Interactive and a teacher for the Data Analytics bootcamp at Le Wagon. He graduated from the part-time Data Science & AI bootcamp in 2023, bringing a background in architecture from McGill and experience in the gaming industry.
Caitlin MacEachen is a data scientist and machine learning engineer at Datatonic. She completed the full-time bootcamp in 2024. Her background spans biophysics research, operations leadership at Amazon, and nonprofit co-founding.
Paul Jackanich is a data science manager at Telus, where he develops AI tools for field technicians across the country. He finished the part-time bootcamp in 2023. With a PhD in philosophy from the Université de Montréal, his interests include the history of science and AI ethics.
Paul’s story is particularly striking. “Before doing the Le Wagon Bootcamp, I was a professor of philosophy, and I did that for a year, and I wanted to get into AI ethics because I had worked in that area before,” he explained. “So I decided the best way to do that would be to do a data science bootcamp.”
The path took an unexpected turn. “At the end of the day I got hired to build AI tools and that’s what I do for Telus right now.”
For Paul, the bootcamp was transformative.
“It’s been an incredible opportunity having done this, because it allowed me to build all these great systems in my company, and to get promoted, and now I run a team building these tools.”
Saeed found opportunity within his existing company. When a data analyst position opened at Behaviour Interactive, where he was already working, he successfully transitioned into the role.” He also took on a teaching role at Le Wagon: “I also work as a teacher for the Data Analytics bootcamp.”
Caitlin was hired by Datatonic after graduation and has been working there as a consultant since then, leading machine learning projects for various clients.
When asked for advice, all three panelists immediately pointed to networking as critical for success.
“Honestly, I would say, besides the fact that the learning process never ends, you just build up on the momentum that you have, network,” Saeed emphasized. “Basically just being social, talking to people, going to networking events.”
He shared a concrete example: “One of the projects on my resume came from a casual conversation with a researcher at McGill. I mentioned I’d just finished the bootcamp, and she told me about all the interviews she conducts. We started brainstorming how to use LLMs to help her review those interview transcripts.”
The result? “Just from a casual hangout, I managed to get a project, by the end of which I had another project on my resume. You never know where opportunities come up.”
Caitlin kept it simple but emphatic: “Definitely network, even if you don’t feel like it, do it.”
Caitlin stressed the importance of momentum: “Continuing to learn, continuing to build out projects and not get stuck on individual things. Because I think doing those multiple steps to go from start to end of something that you can talk about is super important.”
She also acknowledged the challenge: “Keeping it up even when it’s tough.”
Paul made a point about transferable skills that resonated throughout the panel.
“The skill sets that you have from whatever you were doing before this are extremely important, especially if you’re a strong communicator or you’ve managed teams in the past or you’ve taught or you’ve done things along those lines because those are all really useful skill sets within contexts like these.”
Why? “Because you’re going to be speaking to product managers and business stakeholders. If you’re able to explain in a facile way what you’re doing, it’s an incredible benefit to your team because that means they have to expand less resources on product managers themselves.”
He continued with specific advice: “Maybe you come from a degree in biology or something else like that, communicate with people in those fields, reach out to them, reach out to friends, see if you can do a project.”
Paul’s insight about the hidden job market was particularly valuable: “You’d be very surprised how many people are in a position to hire, but don’t know that you could do something that they want you to do. They just have no idea.”
The panel also touched on the broader landscape of AI implementation. When discussing the future of AI in business, one theme emerged: thoughtful application matters more than following trends.
The point was made clear with a vivid metaphor about not just “slapping AI” onto problems like a quick fix. “People getting smarter on how to use AI, I think, is the future in tech. That’s what I find very interesting.”
These three Le Wagon Canada alumni prove that career transitions into data science and AI are possible from diverse starting points. Their journeys weren’t always linear—Paul wanted to do AI ethics but built AI systems instead. Saeed pivoted within his existing company. Caitlin jumped straight into consulting.
What united them? A willingness to learn in an intensive short hands-on training (aka Le Wagon Montreal 😉), a motivation to succeed through their work dedication (network, build projects continuously) and by leveraging their unique backgrounds as strengths rather than obstacles.
As Saeed put it: “You never know where opportunities come up. So just socialize. It all comes down to networking.”
Ready to start your data science journey? Learn more about Le Wagon’s Data Science & AI bootcamp, available in Montreal (Canada) and online, with flexible part-time and full-time options. Explore the curriculum and prerequisites, or connect with our learning advisor to discuss your project.
In the ever-evolving world of technology, the role of data engineers has become crucial. The
A brewer for five years, Clayton decided to learn web development skills on his own
The tech industry continues to grow, and the jobs it offers can be attractive. But
I’ve joined a friendly and supportive community that I can always go back to if
Despite a global conversation about the underrepresentation of women in tech, statistics still demonstrate a
Discover how to design web applications that grow effortlessly, handle rising demand, and adapt to
