> Reading these posts I get the impression people prefer portfolio projects over studying the mathematical fundamentals It didn't appear as though these two di

> Reading these posts I get the impression people prefer portfolio projects over studying the mathematical fundamentals It didn't appear as though these two didn't train their mathematical fundamentals though. I believe the gist here is to find an interesting project tailored to the field you want to work in, and make it visual for the non-technical interviewers. Once you do get their attention, you would naturally need to pass a real DS interview, which would test your mathematical fundamentals.