B.S (Data Science and Applications)
Currently working at Uncia Technologies, a fintech company nestled within the IITM Research Park, Pranshu Jaiswal, from the vibrant city of Kolkata, is in the final term of his IITM BS Degree. By dedicating himself fully to this degree program, he is actively building a foundation for a bright career ahead. Not only did he secure an internship at Uncia Tech, he also conducted a workshop on Deep Learning in Shaastra, and emerged as one of the semifinalists in the Hackathon at the BharatGen Summit!
Pranshu’s journey into the BS Degree commenced in 2021 after he determined that his previous enrollment in Actuarial Science was not aligned with his aspirations. During a period of self-reflection, a fellow student introduced him to the BS degree in Data Science and Applications. Attracted by the burgeoning fields of Data Science, AI, and ML, and recognizing IITM’s esteemed reputation, Pranshu saw the BS Degree as his entry into this exciting world. He valued the structured learning environment it offered, which he felt was comparable to traditional education.
“This degree changed my life – not just in terms of technical prowess but discipline as well,” Pranshu says. He adds that with a trimester-based timeline, frequent quizzes, and assignments, this degree teaches one to cultivate strong time management skills. The rigorous, yet rewarding, nature of this program has made him more efficient and confident when tackling projects, both academic and professional.
The program’s emphasis on collaboration with a diverse student body – encompassing different states, ages, and genders – has been a significant aspect he appreciates, as it fostered a broader perspective than a typical campus environment.
“I came into this degree with specific expectations because it was from IITM, and I can honestly say it has been completely fulfilling on every level,” chimes Pranshu.
From the quality of education to the strong support system, he believes the program is designed to bring out the best in students.
He also didn’t fail to mention the peer group he had. “I won’t take any names for fear of missing someone out, but I owe them all a lot,” he says gratefully. While he emphasises the importance of and relevance of all the courses throughout the degree, for him, MAD 1, MAD 2, and MLP particularly stand out as these helped him a lot in model building and application development.
But his journey wasn’t confined to algorithms. Pranshu was one of the earliest members of the IITM BS Film Society, and he contributed to the production of the documentary Breaking Barriers: The IIT Madras Story. He also played a key role in Shah-Maat, the IITM BS Chess Club. There he not only helped organise tournaments, and interact with chess grandmasters but also served as the Web Admin, building their website. These experiences invoked an appreciation for teamwork, creativity, and responsibility within him. Although he has only attended Paradox once, the experience is etched in his heart. “It was like a well-oiled machine,” he says, marveling at the efficient chain of command and how the team worked with precision and grace.
Pranshu has his eyes set on an MS or MTech, but his ultimate goal is teaching. His previous experience with ed-tech companies has shown him that he has an inherent knack for explaining complex concepts successfully. “Even if I have to start with the corporate domain, teaching is the field I’ll eventually slide into,” he shares. For the next wave of students, this young man has simple advice: Don’t stop exploring. “Read research papers, brainstorm with platforms like ChatGPT; it helped me a lot,” he adds.
For Pranshu Jaiswal, the journey has just started, but the path ahead is already glimmering with promise.
– Written by Satyaki Goswami
