My Journey in IT Industry

My story begins amidst the scenic mountains of Kashmir, where I had the privilege of attending the first-ever CBSE school in the region – Delhi Public School, Srinagar. While I come from a middle-class family with no direct exposure to engineering, my academic journey was always balanced with a love for sports. This balance fueled my determination, allowing me to achieve a perfect 10 CGPA in my secondary school exams and an impressive 94.6% in senior secondary.I embarked on a rigorous training program at Infosys’ stunning Mysore campus

My hard work led me to crack NEET, the medical entrance exam, and JEE, the engineering entrance exam. This presented a challenging choice, but with careful consideration, I opted for Electronics and Communication Engineering. Throughout my engineering education, I consistently ranked among the top 5 in my batch, demonstrating a natural aptitude for the field.

My pursuit of knowledge continued as I cleared the GATE exam, securing a place in an M.Tech program for IT. However, conversing with a senior who followed a similar trajectory steered me towards a different path. Inspired by his experience, I decided to join Infosys through an off-campus opportunity.

Infosys Training & First Project:

I embarked on a rigorous training program at Infosys’ stunning Mysore campus. My foundation in Python was solidified, and I honed my skills in Java, HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, and Angular. After this immersive training, I was posted to Infosys Bangalore, where I had the incredible opportunity to build inventory solutions from scratch for a major UK-based telecom client. Working alongside another passionate fresher, we tackled this project without extensive senior guidance. This experience pushed me to explore new frameworks like Spring, Spring Boot, and deepen my understanding of servers and live project handling.

Startup Hustle & Black Swan Event leading to Product Development & R&D:

The ever-evolving landscape of technology necessitates constant growth. Recognizing this, I transitioned to a well-established Bangalore-based startup focused on property solutions for US clients. This new role demanded further upskilling, leading me to delve into containerization through Docker, orchestration using Kubernetes, and cloud deployment on Microsoft Azure.

Life, however, throws unexpected curveballs. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the property market, and my project came to a halt. This unexpected event served as a catalyst for change. Determined to weather the storm, I focused on securing a position with a stable organization. Thankfully, my dedication paid off, and I landed a coveted role in the Research and Development department at Mercedes-Benz R&D India, working as a Backend Developer for connected cars.

Lifelong Learning:

My insatiable desire for learning didn’t stop there. Data science had always fascinated me, so I pursued a post-graduation program in AI & ML from the University of Texas at Austin, followed by a Master’s in Data Science from Deakin University. This foray into data science opened my eyes to a completely new paradigm for problem-solving, allowing me to view day-to-day challenges through a different lens. This newfound knowledge also empowered me to contribute by drafting a patent utilizing AI & ML, with more potentially on the horizon.

My journey exemplifies the power of continuous learning. Unsatisfied with just one cloud platform, I embarked on a mission to conquer the vast landscape of AWS, a leading hyperscale cloud provider. My dedication has furthered my career, allowing me to take the initiative in re-architecting backend systems using cutting-edge technologies.

The Power of Support:

Throughout this incredible ride, the support of like-minded colleagues and my ever-encouraging family has been invaluable. The bottom line of my career journey is this: never stop learning, constantly strive for knowledge, and remain humble. After all, as my religion teaches, the pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong endeavor, “from the cradle to the grave.”