BS (Data Science)
Sayan Bhowmick had stepped away from the corporate world to assist with his father’s business. A resident of Kolkata with a background in Electronics Engineering, the turning point came while exploring new horizons, when he stumbled upon the IITM BS Degree in Data Science and Applications. However, what gave him the confidence to make the switch wasn’t just the curriculum – it was the vision of what he could build. Inspired by Sundar Pichai’s unveiling of Google Assistant at Google I/O, Sayan grew fascinated by AI – not merely to use it, but to understand and create it.
After joining the program in 2022, he discovered a second chance at finding himself. Coming from an all-boys school, and with a break from college life made networking daunting at first; yet his experience in the degree shattered those apprehensions. He found himself in a supportive environment where interactions felt effortless, making him feel at home right from the start.
One of his greatest joys was finding out that he wasn’t just a number in a database, when the course instructors recognised him as “that one student who asked many questions”.
His reputation turned out to be a blessing in disguise, giving him the opportunity to share a coffee with an instructor who remembered him by name. He began to see himself in a new light, mirrored by how the course instructors got to know him over the years, viewing him as a dedicated and evolving learner.
Sayan asserts that the program’s academic rigor is often underestimated due to its virtual format; in reality, he finds it just as demanding – if not more so – than a traditional campus-based degree. It acts as a litmus test, stripping away past accolades to reveal exactly where a student stands, forcing them to develop a level of discipline and critical thinking that sets them apart from the crowd.
This drive to excel spilled over into his co-curricular life as well. Sayan recalls staying up until 4 AM to design question papers for the ‘Logic Loom’ event during Paradox, determined to leave a lasting impact on the community.
Having worked on the other side of the curtain as a Project Mentor for the MLP Course, he gained invaluable hands-on experience in guiding peers through complex technical problems. Through this, he discovered a love for teaching and would love to share his experience by possibly pursuing a career in academia, potentially at IIT Madras itself, thus giving back in the most meaningful way possible.
For Sayan, the IITM BS Degree has been so much more than just an academic pursuit or a notch in his resume; it’s been a stepping stone for profound personal growth. Diving back into rigorous education after a 5 year hiatus, Sayan discovered that he didn’t pick up just technical skills from the program, it acted as a mirror, showing him exactly where he stood and challenged him to rebuild his critical thinking skills from the ground up.
Perhaps his most profound takeaway is his metaphor for learning. Sayan believes there are two ways to navigate life: “You can either break your head against the boulders at the beach and learn from the pain, or you can watch, listen, and learn from the experiences of others.” He urges students to choose the latter, to be observant and open to guidance.
Sayan’s story is one of empathy, curiosity, and the joys of truly connecting with people and rediscovering himself. His final message to his peers is simple yet powerful, “Never judge someone based on a first impression or a rough day. Just find your goal, put your foot on the accelerator, and don’t look back.”
– written by Nikita Nanduri
