Career Shift to Data Science: Rakesh's Success Story

In today’s digital era, data science has become one of the most in-demand career paths, attracting professionals from all backgrounds. Rakesh Kumar, an economics graduate from Chennai, is a shining example of how dedication, structured learning, and the right mentorship can help anyone transition into the tech industry, even without prior technical knowledge.

Rakesh’s journey with DataMites Institute showcases how practical training, real-world projects, and consistent placement assistance can make a career shift possible. From learning Python and statistics from scratch to confidently cracking interviews and landing his role as a Data Scientist at Aristocrat, Rakesh’s story is both motivating and informative. If you’re considering a similar path, Watch DataMites Success Stories to see how others have transformed their careers, and take the first step towards your own data science journey.

Rakesh’s Data Science Journey: Transforming Ambitions into Reality with DataMites Institute

Discover how Rakesh Kumar transitioned from an economics graduate to a successful data science professional through dedicated learning and expert guidance.

Q1: Can you tell us a little about your background and what led you to DataMites Institute?

I’m originally from Andhra Pradesh, but I’ve been living in Chennai. After completing my B.A. in Economics from Loyola College in 2021, I worked as a Visa Officer at the US Embassy through VFS Global. Even during my economics studies, I was fascinated by data. Unfortunately, during my college years, especially with the pandemic lockdowns, I couldn’t dive deep into statistics or practical applications. Later, I discovered DataMites Institute, and that’s when I decided to pursue data science seriously.

Q2: Were you familiar with coding or programming before joining?

Not at all. I was completely new to coding. I didn’t even know the basics of integers or programming concepts. My journey with DataMites Institute started from scratch. The courses were structured in a way that helped me understand the fundamentals before progressing to advanced topics.

Q3: Starting from zero, how did you overcome the fear or challenges associated with learning to code?

The beginning was tough. At first, I couldn’t understand even the simplest coding questions. But I realized giving up was not an option. I made it a point to practice daily, especially after failing to crack my first mock interviews. By the third mock interview, with consistent practice, I was able to clear it successfully. My message to others is simple—never lose hope, practice coding every day, and don’t rely on memorization. Practical understanding is key.

Q4: How did you learn stats and calculus for data science?

Since my college was during the lockdown, I missed out on learning statistics properly. At DataMites Training Institute , I started learning statistics and calculus from the ground up. For machine learning, understanding statistics is mandatory. Concepts like mean, median, mode, hypothesis testing, and so on are essential for building algorithms and interpreting data accurately. Without statistics, you can't work effectively on projects or real-world data.

Q5: Can you tell us about the capstone projects you worked on?

I worked on several projects during the training period. One of them was a hard disk sensor project provided by DataMites. Apart from that, I collaborated with my teammates to develop an independent project involving supervised learning, clustering, and algorithm implementation to analyze data accuracy. These projects gave me the confidence to apply my learning practically.

Q6: How did these projects help during your job interviews?

The projects were helpful, but interviews exposed my initial weaknesses. I realized I was strong in theory but weak in practical application. Continuous practice with coding and projects strengthened my practical skills. Understanding one’s weak points and working on them daily is crucial for success in interviews.

Q7: Can you share how DataMites Institute supported you during the mock interview stage?

The mock interviews were invaluable. I faced three rounds, and each came with constructive feedback from the trainers. Their mentorship helped me improve both my technical and interview skills. Being from a non-IT background, I never thought I could enter the IT field, but DataMites made it possible.

Q8: Did DataMites Institute assist with job opportunities as well? How did you find the right job?

Absolutely. The DataMites team shared job opportunities regularly, including roles in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kerala, and Chennai. Since I preferred to work in Chennai, I focused only on local interviews. Their support was consistent, and I eventually landed my current role in Chennai.

Q9 : How did you prepare for the technical aspects of the interview, especially Python and other tools?

Initially, I struggled with Python. Even simple coding questions were confusing. But with daily practice—1 to 4 hours dedicated to coding—I got better. Beyond Python, interviewers also asked about Power BI, SQL, Deep Learning, and NLP. Candidates should be ready for all these areas. Knowing which algorithm to apply based on the dataset and having a thorough understanding of tools beyond Python is crucial.

Q10: How did you build your resume? Was there guidance from the DataMites team?

Yes, I received excellent guidance from the PAT team. They helped me restructure my resume, ensuring it highlighted my projects and relevant skills. I learned that resumes should be tailored to each job application. The professional advice I received from the PAT team played a big role in making my resume stand out.

Q11: You’ve recently cracked an interview for the role of Data Scientist. When are you starting your new position?

I’m starting next Monday! The company is Aristocrat, and the office is in Chennai, so I’ll be commuting from home. I’m really excited about this opportunity and thankful for the journey so far.

Refer these articles:

• How Farooq Transitioned from Mechanical to Data Science
• How Rauful Azam Transformed His Career with Data Science
• Cracking into Data Science: Kowshik’s Inspiring Journey

Key Takeaways from Rakesh's Data Science Journey

Here are the essential lessons and insights from Rakesh Kumar’s successful transition into data science.

• Non-Technical Backgrounds are No Barrier: Rakesh proves that even candidates without technical expertise can successfully transition into data science with the right training and dedication.
• Consistent Practice is Essential: Whether it’s coding, statistics, or understanding machine learning concepts, daily practice builds both knowledge and confidence.
• Importance of Statistics: Data science is rooted in statistics. Basic knowledge of mean, median, mode, hypothesis testing, and calculus is essential for algorithm development and project success.
• Real-World Projects Build Confidence: Participating in capstone and independent projects bridges the gap between theory and practical application.
• Mock Interviews Prepare You for the Real Thing: Feedback-driven mock interviews highlight weaknesses and improve performance, making candidates job-ready.
• Broad Skill Set Required: Data science roles demand knowledge beyond just Python—expect questions on Power BI, SQL, Deep Learning, and NLP.
• Tailored Resumes Increase Success: Creating role-specific resumes with clear project highlights improves interview prospects.
• Placement Assistance is Valuable: DataMites Institute consistent support, job recommendations, and personalized mentoring are vital for job seekers.
• Self-Assessment is Key: Understanding your weaknesses—be it theory or practical skills—and actively working to overcome them accelerates success.
• Persistence Pays Off: Rakesh's story emphasizes that success in data science is achievable with perseverance, irrespective of initial struggles.

Refer these articles:

• Data Science Career Scope in Chennai
• Data Science Course Fee in Chennai
• Data Science vs Data Analytics in Chennai

Rakesh Kumar’s inspiring journey from an economics graduate to a successful data science professional proves that with persistence, structured learning, and the right mentorship, anyone can transition into this high-growth field. His experience shows that even without a technical background, it's possible to break into the tech industry with dedication and proper guidance.

Today, data science is considered one of the IT courses in demand, creating exciting opportunities for professionals across diverse educational backgrounds. With the rising need for data-driven decision-making, institutes like DataMites are helping thousands of individuals, just like Rakesh, build successful careers in the booming tech sector.

If you’re planning to follow in Rakesh Kumar’s footsteps and step into the world of data science, now is the perfect time to upgrade your skills. According to Precedence Research, the global data science platform market was valued at USD 150.73 billion in 2024, is expected to reach USD 175.15 billion in 2025, and is projected to surpass USD 676.51 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 16.20%. With industries generating massive amounts of data, the demand for skilled data professionals is rising rapidly. Choosing the right training institute that offers practical learning, project exposure, and job support is key to building a successful career. Enrolling in a reputed data science training institute in Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai, or Delhi can unlock exciting tech opportunities.

For Rakesh, who transitioned from a non-technical background, expert-led training played a vital role in his journey. Through comprehensive courses in Data Science, AI, ML, Python, and Data Analytics, combined with globally recognized accreditations from IABAC and NASSCOM FutureSkills, he gained the skills and confidence to break into the tech industry.

DataMites Institute offers data science courses in Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, and Mumbai, along with flexible online learning options. This makes data science education easily accessible for freshers, working professionals, and career changers — just as it did for Rakesh.