I have over 17 years of IT experience with TCS working across multiple customers in the BFSI domain. I started as a developer in midrange technology (IBM as400/I series). I have been part of end-to-end IT project execution playing various roles such as developer, analyst, team lead, project manager, etc. At a project management level, I have led projects across multiple technologies such as mobile, J2EE, PEGA, C++, etc.
I was playing the role of scrum master and program manager for a large banking customer. Close to 8+ years in various leadership positions, such as team lead, project manager, program manager, etc., caused me to move away from engineering and technical aspects and become more adept at generic skills. It led to a feeling of saturation and of not being able to add much value to the organization.
I did some research online as well as discussed it with a few of my colleagues who have done similar courses. My findings were that Great Learning is among the top providers of AI/ML courses in the industry, both in terms of content and outcomes. I did have apprehension about the effectiveness of the online program in that it might leave some learning gaps which can only be filled in offline sessions. On the whole, Great Learning did a great job. The online videos did explain the concepts in a simple yet engaging manner. The mentor sessions also played a part in minimizing the gaps. The mentoring sessions are a great idea, and I am sure with time, they will evolve as a force multiplier and make the learning experience as close to offline as possible. Considering that the mentoring sessions are a new addition at Great Learning, the quality is satisfactory. With time and more experienced faculty, it can only become better.
The mentor has a definite role in helping to close the queries and doubts that I had after watching the online videos.
I feel more confident now after having gained a skill that is quite the latest and in-demand. It has helped me shore up my credentials which enabled me to successfully transition into the analytics space within my organization.
The advice I would give to the people who are just starting with learning analytics is that it’s vital to have at least basic knowledge of a programming language (preferably python). Don’t be overawed by the “complex” looking mathematical concepts, as the course videos are intuitive and bring it all together in a relatively simple manner. Just persevere, and once you complete the practice exercises and hands-on assignments, you will feel confident. Besides, there are a host of excellent online resources which can be referred to go into more detail if required.
