When a stable career is suddenly pulled from under your feet, what do you do next? For Vaishnavee Varun Kelkar, the answer wasn’t immediate. Laid off during the pandemic, she faced an uncertain job market and an even bigger question–what now? Meanwhile, Ritesh Kumar Singh had spent years chasing a dream that no longer seemed within reach. Stuck in a stagnant role, he found himself questioning his next move. Neither had planned for a future in Data Science, but when the opportunity presented itself, they made a choice–to take the leap.
Father-in-law’s advice to embrace Data Science changed everything
Vaishnavee’s world turned upside down in 2020. She had built her career at a reputed firm, only to be let go due to the company’s unpredictable “hire-fire” strategy during the pandemic. Jobs were scarce, the market was unstable, and stress was at an all-time high.
It was her father-in-law who first suggested Data Science. “This field is booming. Why don’t you give it a shot?” he asked one day. The idea intrigued her, but doubt crept in just as quickly. “I had no experience in Data Science, and investing in a program was a big financial commitment. What if it didn’t work out?” she recalls.
Despite her fears, she took the plunge and enrolled in the Post Graduate Program in Data Science and Business Analytics from Great Learning. The program was structured for professionals like her–someone with limited coding experience but a strong desire to learn. With Capstone projects, interactive modules, and real-world applications, Vaishnavee found herself gaining confidence step by step.
It wasn’t just about learning a new skill. It was about reclaiming control over her career. And that she did–Vaishnavee successfully transitioned into a Data Analytics role and landed a job at Ernst & Young, one of the Big 4 accounting firms.
“I was skeptical at first, but this program opened doors I never thought possible. The supportive ecosystem, my family’s encouragement, and my decision to bet on myself changed everything.”
Letting go of the UPSC dream to find a new one
Ritesh had his life planned out–or so he thought. He had completed his Civil Engineering degree in 2017, secured a job at TCS, and was preparing for the UPSC exams, hoping to serve in the civil services. But two years into his preparation, reality hit hard. No matter how much effort he put in, the dream was slipping away.
“Letting go of something you’ve envisioned for years is painful. I was stuck in a support project with no learning opportunities. It felt like I was moving in circles, and I started withdrawing from everyone around me. I don’t know if it was depression, but I definitely wasn’t myself,” he admits.
He needed a new direction. Business school seemed like an option, but something didn’t sit right. Then, while researching career alternatives, he stumbled upon Data Science–an intersection of mathematics, statistics, and coding, subjects he had always enjoyed. Could this be his new path?
Determined to explore this further, Ritesh enrolled in the Data Science and Business Analytics program. The hands-on learning approach, combined with live sessions and real-world projects, gave him not just technical skills but also the confidence he had lost. Two years later, the transformation was complete–Ritesh landed a job at Deloitte with a 200% salary hike.
“Walking away from my UPSC dream was tough, but this journey gave me something equally fulfilling. If I can do it, anyone can.”
A Second Chance at Success–Yours Could Be Next
Vaishnavee and Ritesh’s journeys weren’t linear, nor were they easy. But they prove that setbacks don’t have to be dead ends–they can be turning points. Whether it’s a career unexpectedly cut short or a lifelong goal that no longer fits, reinvention is always possible. They took a risk, upskilled, and found themselves in careers they once thought were out of reach. The question is–what’s stopping you from taking that first step?
