BS (Data Science)
There is a version of Piush Das’s story on paper that looks like a series of wrong turns. A Humanities student who avoided Mathematics. A college dropout. Someone who spent years studying alone at home, far from any campus. By most conventional measures, this is not the profile of someone who becomes a Teaching Assistant at IIT Madras, mentors students on machine learning projects, works as a Junior Software Developer at NPTEL, and conducts over 250 viva voce examinations!
And yet, here he is.
Piush’s complicated relationship with Mathematics began in the foothills of Assam. He didn’t score well in 9th Grade, despite putting in the effort, but he locked in and scored 90% in 10th Grade. Yet, he swore off maths entirely after that, instead opting to pursue the humanities and a possible career in public administration. But something kept pulling him back, and he enrolled in a BCA Degree in 2021, which he left a year later because he felt that he wasn’t learning anything meaningful, despite scoring well.
A mentor introduced him to the IITM BS Degree in Data Science and Applications, and he hasn’t looked back since, though he did initially struggle with the math. He retook the course twice, not just to get a better grade, but to actually understand the math and start a new chapter of his relationship with it. And it worked. What followed was an ‘S’ Grade in MLT and MLF, eventually earning him a position as a TA for MLT, which he held for two consecutive terms. He then served as MLP Project Mentor and Viva Examiner. But, perhaps the most profound shift was a massive boost in confidence.
“By this time I am quite comfortable – subjects like Deep Learning and LLM feel quite intuitive to me.”
But the journey wasn’t just about conquering academics; it was a test of sheer endurance. Studying online from his home in Assam, Piush had to navigate the quiet, persistent isolation that often accompanies remote learning. The freedom he initially relished slowly turned into a monotonous, solitary grind. But Piush kept his head down and pushed through the difficult days, trusting that the hard work would eventually lead somewhere. And it did. His patience paid off in the best way possible when he earned a Teaching Assistant role and finally set foot on the IIT Madras campus. Stepping into that vibrant ecosystem washed away years of isolation. “Everybody is in a way fighting their struggles,” he says, “but being together helps all of us stay connected.”
The BS Degree unlocked opportunities that compound on each other. Beyond his TA roles, he now works as a Junior Software Developer at NPTEL, recently completed a TAship for their Python for Data Science course, and serves as a School Connect TA under Professor Arun Rajkumar, taking sessions and writing question papers for school students being introduced to Data Science and AI.
When asked what advice he would give to students just starting the degree, Piush offered a perspective that cuts through the noise of the present moment with remarkable clarity. In an era where AI tools can write code, solve assignments, and explain concepts instantly, his advice feels both counter-intuitive and deeply grounded:
“Learn as if AI doesn’t exist, but while working, incorporate AI as your personal assistant.”
Looking ahead, he hopes to attempt GATE, eventually move abroad, and build a career in Data Science. But for now, he remains immersed in campus life – still learning, still teaching, still figuring things out – which, perhaps, is exactly the point.
– written by Nikita Nanduri
