By Mehak Malik
Some journeys begin with a dream. Others begin with a push from someone who believes in you. For Rutvik Kumar, it was both. What started as his sister’s encouragement soon became a shared journey of growth, learning, and transformation, one that redefined how he saw his career and himself.
As a Software Developer at Zenoti, Rutvik had already built a strong technical foundation. He had been part of teams that designed and maintained production-grade systems, learning the art of clean code and scalable solutions. But as his curiosity grew, so did his questions. “I could code efficiently,” he recalls, “but when it came to integrating AI into real-world applications, making systems that learn and scale, I knew I needed more.”
That’s when he found the Post Graduate Program in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, and everything began to change.
Rutvik’s Journey: From Developer to Outcome-Driven Problem Solver
Before joining the program, Rutvik was focused on delivering features and maintaining systems. But once he began exploring the structured curriculum, he realized that building with AI required more than coding expertise; it required a new way of thinking.
“Joining this program was a turning point,” he says. “It gave me hands-on exposure to advanced AI techniques, practical tools, and real-world problem solving. I not only strengthened my technical expertise but also learned how to approach AI from a product and business perspective.”
Through guided mentorship and practical assignments, he learned to design and deploy intelligent systems that could scale and create tangible impact. The shift was not just technical; it was deeply professional, a move from task-focused development to outcome-driven thinking.
Two Paths, One Journey: Learning Together, Growing Together
While Rutvik’s story is one of growth, it’s also one of shared strength. He was the one who encouraged his sister to join the same program from Great Learning, having already experienced how transformative it could be.
“I was the one who encouraged my sister to join the program. I had already explored the field and saw how valuable the experience could be, so I supported her decision and helped her prepare,” he says.
The support between them flowed both ways. “She was the one who encouraged me and told me that I could do it,” he shares. “When I joined, it was during Covid, so I couldn’t go there. She was the one who kept me motivated.”
Their journey soon became one of mutual support and shared learning. “We shared ideas, kept each other accountable, and pushed through challenges. So while I initially guided her, her support during the program definitely helped me grow, too.”
The two found themselves connected not just by family but by purpose, learning, growing, and evolving together through shared discipline and encouragement.
When Hands-On Learning Changed Everything
As Rutvik moved deeper into the program, he started seeing a change in the way he approached problems.
“The biggest contributor to that leap was a shift from being task-focused to becoming outcome-driven,” he says. “Early in my career, I was focused on writing clean code and delivering features. But through hands-on experience and structured learning, I started thinking in terms of systems, scalability, and impact.”
This mindset opened new doors. The program bridged the gap between software engineering and AI-driven innovation, helping him move into roles that demanded more ownership and strategic thinking. His learning began reflecting in the quality of his work, not just in what he built but in how he built it.
From Learning to Leading: The Leap to Qualcomm
Today, Rutvik works as an AI Developer at Qualcomm, a leap that marked a defining moment in his career.“Working as an AI Developer has been a transformative shift,” he says. “It moved me beyond traditional software development into a space where I could build intelligent systems that learn, adapt, and deliver real business impact.”
His growth has been both professional and personal. From an initial package of around ₹5.5–6 LPA, Rutvik’s current salary stands at ₹25 LPA, a reflection of both his skill and his consistency.
He believes that the foundation built through the program continues to drive his progress. “Now I’m doing purely AI development,” he says. “The program helped me understand how to design scalable models, handle data, and collaborate across teams.”
His Advice: Start Where You Are
Growth, for Rutvik, was never about chasing titles. It was about understanding himself better with every line of code and every challenge faced. His advice to anyone looking to upskill is simple yet powerful:
“Stay curious and stay consistent. Technical skills will get you started, but it’s your mindset that will carry you forward. Don’t wait for perfect conditions, start building, experimenting, and learning from real-world challenges.”
