BS (Data Science and Applications)
When Vikas Jaiswal chose to enroll in the IITM BS Degree in Data Science and Applications, he wasn’t a typical fresh-faced student. Instead, he was already a seasoned IT professional, holding a Tech Lead position in Pune with over 18 years of industry experience. You might wonder why someone so deeply ingrained in the tech world would opt to return to the classroom. His explanation is simple: “Given the ever-changing nature of the industry, I wanted to upskill and stay current.”
Vikas was already familiar with the potential of online learning through his NPTEL experience, having taken courses in Blockchain and Machine Learning. This meant he had clarity about what he was getting into with the BS degree. He also had faith in its pedagogy.
“It starts with the fundamentals – the Math, the Statistics – and builds you up towards the most recent tools and technologies,” he explains. “The progress is evident.”
As a student from the very first batch, and now at the degree level, he admits he didn’t fully anticipate the level of commitment the course would demand. It was only through the journey that he realized the significant adjustments required – to his time, priorities, and routines – in balancing the program’s academic rigor with his professional and personal responsibilities. “I study on weekends without fail, and if the load is heavy, I use weekday evenings as well. Managing work, academia, and family requires effort, but it’s doable with discipline,” he says. He has been taking two courses per term, citing the balance he has to maintain among the aforementioned aspects of his life.
He makes it a point to attend Paradox every alternate year, stating, “The workshops on campus during the fest are invaluable. They have been adding to my domain of knowledge,”. He also mentions how the campus experience – staying in hostels, eating in mess, has been nostalgic and inspiring.
Vikas has a concrete belief that the most important factor that makes the BS degree stand apart is its relevance in the frequently changing tech world. “This curriculum is industry-aligned. Take the diploma-level projects, especially one like the BDM – they’re well-crafted and push you to develop real-world skills, both technical and otherwise. “Top that with the brand of IIT Madras, the best engineering college in India,” he pauses, “that itself opens so many doors!””
When asked about his future plans, he states, “I’ll continue working in the IT sector, but now with better tools.” As AI continues to permeate every aspect of technology, Vikas wants to be better equipped to tackle those demands. He aims to leverage his skills and learning to achieve excellence in his day-to-day tasks, thereby enhancing his professional life by helping him meet evolving industrial requirements.
To his fellow students and prospective juniors, he has a grounded yet precious advice: “Don’t get overwhelmed by the sheer number of resources – live sessions, recordings, discourse forums. Prioritise and follow a schedule. Do things on time and explore the content deeply. If you stay consistent and disciplined, this degree can actually be sailed through.”
Vikas Jaiswal’s enrollment in this degree is proof that lifelong learning isn’t just a cliché. With enough passion, anyone can juggle life’s various demands – sometimes taking it one step at a time, and sometimes tackling two courses a term!
