Sometimes, the decision to change direction is not sparked by a crisis, but by a silent understanding, the sense that there is more to learn, more to do, more to become. For Abhilash, Suganya, and Praneeth, the call to pivot came from very different places: a creative career in the film industry, a long hiatus for family, and a non-tech job that no longer felt fulfilling. But what they shared was the willingness to begin again.
Abhilash Lakshminarayanan: From Films to Data
In cinema, the most powerful scenes often come from an unexpected cut, a sudden shift in perspective that changes the entire story. For Abhilash, that cut came when he chose to leave behind a career in film and media to step into Data Science.
When he enrolled in the Post Graduate Program in Data Science (with a specialization in Gen AI), formerly known as the Post Graduate Program in Data Science and Engineering, offered by Great Lakes in collaboration with Great Learning, it was a decision few would have predicted, and even he saw it as a leap into the unknown.
An Unplanned Pivot
The program gave him a bridge into a field he had never imagined himself in. The decision to change careers was not part of a long-term strategy. “Looking back at my journey with Great Learning, it’s been nothing short of amazing. Right in the thick of final exams, I received an offer as a Data Scientist at ADA, which I never, ever dreamt about.” Abhilash shared.
He had not expected his previous work to translate into tech credibility, but through focused upskilling, it did. ‘Thanks to Great Learning, it all fell into place,’ Abhilash shared with a smile.
Support That Made the Shift Possible
Abhilash credits theprogram for not only preparing him academically, but also emotionally. He highlights the faculty’s expertize in SQL, Python, and machine learning, and the Program Managers who encouraged him every step of the way. The career prep team also played a crucial role, guiding him through interviews and helping to build his confidence. “Each module had the best staff we could dream of,” he said. “Their investment in my hard work truly paid off, and I am grateful beyond words.”
J Suganya: From Pause to Purpose: A Story of a Resilient Return
For J Suganya, a new and cherished life began to unfold as she embraced motherhood. For eight years, her career was a story paused in time, and while she was fulfilled, a quiet longing to reclaim her professional identity began to stir. The journey back is a path many women know well, a battle against the silent assumption that time away from a desk means skills have faded. For Suganya, the eight-year pause left her with both a deep yearning and an equally deep doubt: could her career story truly be rewritten?
The Courage to Begin Again
With the unwavering encouragement of her family, Suganya decided to face the challenge and enrolled in the Post Graduate Program in Data Science (with specialization in Gen AI) offered by Great Lakes in collaboration with Great Learning. The learning process was a demanding one, requiring late-night study sessions and hands-on projects, but the true test of her resolve came after. The job search felt like a series of closed doors, each one a painful reminder of the professional gap she was trying to bridge. “I faced numerous rejections and moments of self-doubt as I navigated this uncertain path,” she recalls.
What kept her going was a support system that believed in her more than she believed in herself. The guidance from her mentors on interview preparation and job search strategies helped her refine her approach and stay motivated, even when it felt like the odds were stacked against her. After months of persistence, her efforts bore fruit. The call she had been waiting for finally came, she had landed a job as an ML Engineer at Adventis. For her, it was not just a job offer, but a profound act of self-reclamation. “I felt the warmth of hope and the blessings of those who had supported me: my family, mentors, and kind-hearted individuals in the industry,” she reflects.
Suganya’s story is a powerful testament that a career break is not a professional end, but a path to a more resilient and rewarding beginning.
Jonnada Praneeth Goud: A New Direction in Tech
Fresh out of a Mechanical Engineering college, Praneeth started his career in recruiting, first in IT, then in healthcare. But the spark was missing. He longed for something more dynamic, more technical, and more aligned with the future.
Learning From Scratch
“I never imagined I would find myself in the world of Data Science,” he admitted. With no prior coding experience, the learning curve was steep. But he found his stride in the Post Graduate Program in Data Science (with specialization in Gen AI) offered by Great Lakes in collaboration with Great Learning. “The faculty taught us coding from the basics, explaining even complex concepts in an easily digestible way,” he said.
Gaining Confidence Through Real Work
What stood out most for Praneeth were the hands-on projects that brought theory into a real-world context. “These projects gave me the confidence to apply what I learned to real-world situations, bridging the gap between theory and practice,” he said. By the end of the program, he not only had a strong technical foundation but also a clear path forward. “The transformation I experienced exceeded my expectations, and I now see a future full of exciting possibilities.”
A Shared Path to Reinvention
Abhilash, Suganya, and Praneeth began their journeys from very different points: film and media, a family-focused career break, and recruitment. Yet what unites them is not the path they left behind, but the future they chose to build. Each embraced uncertainty, put in the work, and leaned on the support of their program to move forward with confidence.
Their stories show that reinvention is not reserved for a select few. With curiosity, persistence, and the right learning environment, anyone can reshape their career and step into new possibilities. Today, they stand not just as Data Science professionals but as proof that change, even when daunting, can lead to growth more rewarding than imagined.
