BS (Data Science and Applications)
When you meet Priyanshu Ghosh, you are immediately struck by his confidence and his ability to balance two different worlds: the fast-paced field of AI operations at Perplexity and the vibrant rhythm of street dance battles.
Currently focused on Perplexity’s growth and operations in India, Priyanshu has already created an unusual yet powerful career path. At the heart of it all is his IIT Madras BS Degree in Data Science and Applications, which serves as both his primary degree and his launchpad for success.
Unlike many of his peers, Priyanshu never felt drawn to the idea of a traditional offline college. Even after JEE, both he and his parents were in a dilemma about the “usual” path. The turning point came when his father spotted an advertisement for IITM’s BS Degree in a newspaper. “My dad told me that this program takes away the qualms I had with conventional classroom education,” he recalls. Priyanshu took the leap, seeing it as a chance to get a world-class education while also exploring and upskilling in other areas that excited him. Looking back, he calls it a decision that shaped both his career and his character.
For him, the BS Degree was more than academics – it was about growing as a person. Initially unsure of his communication skills, he credits the program (and his father’s decision to move him to Chennai) for pushing him to step out of his comfort zone. He joined the “Pravaha”, the Dance Society of IITM BS Degree, where competitions and friendships gave him new confidence. “This degree, along with my dad’s guidance, helped me learn to stand for myself, forage opportunities, and communicate effectively,” he smiles.
As he expected, the program provided him with multiple stages to grow. Dance may have been his first love, but Priyanshu also poured himself into leadership. He ran Alpha-Gamma-Nu (AGN), a society that bridged the gap for peers who wanted to pursue tech projects but lacked resources. “AGN was about ensuring that no student was left behind. If someone had the drive, we gave them the direction.” Alongside this, he never stopped carving a name for himself on the cultural stage – winning the Street Dance Battle at Paradox’24 and the rap battle “Rapidox” at Paradox’25.
To Priyanshu, the biggest strength in BS Degree’s arsenal is time and flexibility.
“In traditional colleges, you spend hours tied to classrooms. Here, you get 6-8 extra hours daily to invest in projects, hackathons, or networking. That freedom is priceless, only if it is utilised properly”, he explains.
He also appreciates the filtering system across the program’s levels, which, despite large intakes, ensures that only the most dedicated students make it through. “It keeps the community strong and high-quality,” he notes.
At perplexity, Priyanshu currently handles student acquisition, government deals, and product planning. He wants to develop further in the company, contributing his knowledge while exploring new challenges in the AI space. Long term? He dreams of launching his own company in Finance or Deep Tech – or both! And one day, after the hustle, he laughs, he would like to buy a beach house and live the simple life of a fisherman!
“Work on your communication skills. Build your presence on LikedIN and X,” says the 22-year old Perplexity employee when asked for advice,
“Your online profile is your brand, and recruiters look at it closely. Don’t wait until after your degree – do it alongside. Showcase your work. Build your personal brand. That’s how you stand out.”
From rap battles to product planning, from society leadership to AI operations, Priyanshu’s story is a reminder that the BS Degree is what you make of it. For him, it wasn’t just about earning good grades – it was about honing his potential and paving a spectacular path forward.
– written by Satyaki Goswami.
