Upskilling is essential to keep up with the ever-changing analytics world. Read further to learn more about Saisha Sethi’s journey with Great Learning’s PGP Data Science and Business Analytics Course.
My parents served as doctors with the Indian Air Force for 30 years and chose to settle in Himachal pursuing social service. I have travelled through my childhood across the smallest towns and cities in India and changed close to nine schools, graduating finally from APEEJAY School in Jalandhar, Punjab.
I completed my Bachelors in Science in Economics from London School of Economics in 2015, where I was introduced to the mix of economics, finance, statistics and mathematics, subjects I truly enjoyed. The course made me realise that to understand the constantly changing markets, one has to be an expert at data analysis and interpretation, to be a step ahead from the world.
I was working with BlackRock, global leaders of asset management for four years and alongside prepared for my CFA level II exam. Working with an immense amount of financial data, constantly changing with events across the world and people’s minds, the importance of data science struck.
The challenge I felt was to make the switch to an analysing and decision making role, with the world moving towards fin tech and with no background in coding, the move was difficult. Each job profile I applied for required an immense amount of expertise in data analysis and interpretation and was hard to get a breakthrough. I had taken on multiple projects over and above my BAU to apply the same but to have a full time job it was time to scale up.
Great Lakes Executive Learning after a complete market research was elected for their flexibility, a syllabus that covered all important aspects, practical application with multiple projects and the constant mentorship provided. The fact that I could continue working, preparing for my CFA Level II and utilise my weekends to upskill on the data science aspect with mentors who are a call or message away gave me confidence to join the course. I have managed to maintain a good balance, thanks to the support provided by the program.
Mentoring sessions make all the difference, to prepare beforehand and have a discussion on all the glitches that one has faced is the method encouraged. It helps build confidence and solves any challenges one may have faced. The mentors have always supported and taken extra time to check the extra codes and analysis done over and above the assignments and provided better methods of attempting the same making us capable to take decisions and building codes. The quality of the sessions has been exceptional. Mentors have helped one understand ways of shortening the codes and creating better ones, and also explained the importance of each. If any one shows interest to learn and dedicates extra time to understanding, the mentors have always made time to check and guide us to get better.
I have had many employment offers flow in before completing the program itself. It has built confidence and I have chosen to freelance as a data scientist at the moment. I had managed to apply all my skills learnt in my new Investment Banking Role, a switch possible only post re-skilling. I am glad I chose a PGP in Data Science with Great Lakes executive education over a MBA Degree.
Great Lakes Executive Learning takes extra effort to guide an individual at each step through the program along with being flexible for one’s needs. The course covers all important aspects and aids practical utilisation of the same. The constant mentoring and sessions help understand concepts better and within a year one can become an expert at coding and analysing. To make the most of the course I’d recommend everyone to view the videos before the class and attempt the code as well, the sessions are meant for clearing doubts and improving understanding on the concept.
For more such success stories, watch this space.
