What will be your next step after graduation?
Chapter Lead & Data Scientist, UBS
Where will you be living?
Pune, India
In what ways has Harvard Extension School impacted your career and long-term professional goals?
The journey of attaining the Masters Degree in Data Science at HES have been what I can characterize as the most consequential and immersive academic journey I’ve ever had. This degree led me to dive deep into various aspects of Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI and their real-world applications under the guidance of the best professors. Developing the skills for quantitative thought leadership and the legal and ethical aspects of AI was unique to this degree. The coursework also uniquely led me to understand the business aspects of Data Science and apply AI in the real world in a value-driven way. In instilled in me an entrepreneurial mindset.
I attribute my promotions during this period in terms of rank and role expansion at my day job to this degree as one of the contributors & build me up for strong career growth.
The experience was special. While the primary goal of the on-campus pre-capstone for our teams work with an industry partner on the research design for our final capstone project, these weeks surely provided above and beyond. Meeting, networking and collaborating with people from diverse countries, cultures and rich professional backgrounds has been at the heart of this experience providing rich and different perspectives. This pre-capstone also unveiled to us the legendary campus that Harvard is and the access to heritage and contemporary resources, libraries and material. Just walking through the corridors of the halls that were host to stalwarts was inspiring.
My team and I couldn’t have imagined a better way to finish the degree than by partnering with NASA on an Extreme Weather Forecasting project for our thesis.
I would like to thank the university, the amazing faculty, scientists from NASA and all the fantastic batchmates of my cohort without whom this would not have been possible.
What advice do you have for HES students now that you have graduated?
Harvard & HES in particular offers diverse, flexible and uniquely crafted ways of achieving higher academic qualifications relevant to the world and the fast paced environment. Immerse yourselves in the course work, experience and make the most of your network with fellow distinguished students and professors. Prepare yourself to make the most of the opportunities and resources available to you. The course will most certainly make a positive impact on your career. Most importantly, have fun!
