From Career Break to AI/Data Engineer: Kiruthiga’s Inspiring Journey

Taking a break from your career can feel like hitting the pause button on your dreams especially in the ever-evolving world of technology. But what if that break became the launchpad for a brand-new beginning? Meet Kiruthiga, a determined learner who turned her career gap into a comeback story. With sheer dedication, guided mentorship, and a passion for data, she went from uncertainty to landing her dream role as an AI/Data Engineer. Her journey is more than just a success story; it's proof that with the right mindset and support, you can restart, reskill, and rise higher than ever before. Let’s dive into Kiruthiga’s inspiring transformation.

How Katika Became an AI Engineer: An Inspiring Q&A Journey Through DataMites

From balancing family life to acing interviews, Kiruthiga shares how she overcame challenges and successfully became an AI Engineer

Q1: Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your current role?

I recently started working as an AI and Data Engineer at Data Spark AI Solutions. It’s been an exciting new beginning in my tech career after completing my data science training.

Q2: When did you start your data science journey, and how long did it take to complete the course?

I enrolled in the certified data science course in March 2023 and completed it by the end of October 2023. After that, I spent a few months preparing for interviews and refining my technical skills. I finally secured a job in May 2024. Being a mother of two, I took my time balancing preparation and family responsibilities.

Q3: What was your educational background and work experience before entering the data science field?

I completed my engineering degree in Computer Science back in 2011. After graduation, I worked for around 10 years in a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC). Later, I took a career break. During that time, I decided to upskill myself and transition into the IT field. That’s when I discovered the potential of AI and Data Science.

Q4: Did you have any programming experience before joining the course?

My last encounter with programming was during college, which was over a decade ago. For almost 13 years, I had no touch with coding. Naturally, I was a bit apprehensive about whether I could learn to code again. But once the classes started, everything was taught from scratch. The Python sessions were incredibly beginner-friendly, and the mentors made it all easy to understand.

Q5: What made you choose data science and AI as your new career path?

The growing demand for AI and data professionals strongly motivated me. I always loved working with numbers and solving problems. Data science seemed like the perfect blend of math, logic, and innovation. I also wanted to enter a field with long-term growth and job security.

Q6: How did your learning experience go during the course?

As an online weekend student, I attended 4-hour sessions every Saturday and Sunday. The classes started from the very basics, making it easy for someone like me with a long technical gap to catch up. Mentors were very interactive and gave us time to work on practicals during the sessions. I spent about 3–4 hours each day during the weekdays revising concepts, coding, and practicing machine learning algorithms.

Q7: What kind of support did you receive during your course journey?

The support I received was consistent and encouraging. From onboarding to placement assistance, everything was well-organized. The mentors and coordinators were always available to resolve doubts and guide us at every stage. I was particularly impressed by the smooth transition through different course phases and the way they handled mock interviews.

Q8: How did you manage your time between learning and your responsibilities at home?

It wasn’t easy, but with proper planning, I could manage both. I attended weekend classes and then used the weekdays for self-study, usually 3–4 hours a day. My passion to transition into the tech industry kept me going, even during tough days.

Q9: How was your transition from a non-technical field to a technical job?

Challenging but fulfilling! Coming from a non-technical work background, especially after a long break, it took time to adapt. However, consistent effort and the right learning environment helped me bridge the gap.

Q10: What kind of projects did you work on during Phase 3 of your course?

During Phase 3, I worked on various real-time projects. For my internship, I developed a Home Loan Protection model and a Flight Price Prediction model. These helped me apply machine learning algorithms to real-world problems.

For the client project, I worked on a project with ABC Tech IT, which was part of the Phase 3 curriculum under the DataMites program.

Q11: Could you elaborate on your internship experience?

Yes, the internship experience was very valuable. I was able to apply the skills I had learned in a practical setting. Projects like Flight Price Prediction allowed me to work with real datasets and understand the nuances of model performance, feature selection, and evaluation techniques.

Q12: Did you participate in any mock interviews during your training?

Yes, after completing my projects, I attended mock interviews conducted by the DataMites PAT team. These sessions helped me assess my job readiness.

Q13: What advice would you give to others who are thinking of switching careers into AI or Data Science?

My advice is simple: If you’re passionate about learning and ready to put in the effort, go for it! Don’t let your background or career gap hold you back. Start with a structured artificial intelligence, stay consistent, practice a lot, and be open to learning. The tech industry values skills and problem-solving ability over anything else.

Refer these below articles:

• From Graduate to AI/Data Engineer : Sachin’s Journey into the AI
• Aswathi’s Journey: From Electrical Engineer to AI/ML Engineer
• From Mechanical Engineer to AI/ML Engineer: Uday Bhaskar’s Journey

Key Findings from the Kiruthiga’s Inspiring Journey into AI/Data Engineer

The key findings from Kiruthiga’s inspiring journey, offering insights and motivation for anyone considering a similar leap into the AI and data science domain.

• Successful Career Transition: The interviewee transitioned from a non-technical background with a long career break to a technical role as an AI and Data Engineer.
• Start of Data Science Journey: Began a certified data science course in March 2023, completed it by October 2023, and secured a job in May 2024.
• Previous Background: Holds a Computer Science engineering degree (2011) and has 10 years of experience in NBFC before a career break.
• Programming Experience Gap: Had not practiced coding for over 13 years but re-learned programming (Python) effectively through beginner-friendly sessions.
• Motivation to Choose Data Science: Choose data science due to its blend of math, logic, innovation, and promising career growth and job security.

Read these below articles:

• The Rising Demand for Artificial Intelligence in Vijayawada
• The Demand for Artificial Intelligence in Jamshedpur
• Why Artificial Intelligence is in High Demand in Gwalior

Kiruthiga’s inspiring shift from a career break to becoming an AI and Data Engineer shows that with resilience, dedication, and the right support, it’s never too late to start over. Her journey proves that embracing change and continuous learning can lead to success even after years away from tech. As the global wearable AI market is set to soar from $26.8 billion in 2023 to $166.4 billion by 2030 (Grand View Research), stories like hers highlight the growing opportunities in this evolving field.

Artificial Intelligence courses in Coimbatore offer a wide range of options for both beginners and experienced professionals. Combining theoretical foundations with hands-on training, these programs are designed to equip learners with the essential skills needed to thrive in today’s AI-powered landscape.

DataMites Artificial Intelligence Institute in Coimbatore, designed to equip learners with essential skills and industry-relevant knowledge. Recognized by Analytics India Magazine as one of the top AI training providers in India alongside institutions like IIT and IIM, DataMites has earned a strong reputation in AI education. Upon completing the course, students receive globally recognized certifications from IABAC and NASSCOM FutureSkills, boosting their credibility and career prospects in the competitive job market.