“Learning Python and working on real projects gave me confidence for my career,” says Uday Kiran Kandagatla, an IIT Madras BS student joining TCS as a systems engineer.
For many students, earning a degree is only part of the journey. The bigger question is whether the classroom prepares them for the workplace. Employers today are increasingly looking for candidates who can solve real-world problems, work with data and communicate their ideas effectively.That’s exactly what Uday Kiran Kandagatla says helped him land a position as a Systems Engineer (Prime) at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). A student of the IIT Madras BS degree program, Uday believes that the program’s combination of academic concepts and hands-on projects gave him the confidence and skills to begin his career.Build a solid foundation beyond the classroomReflecting on his learning journey, Uday said the program introduced him to topics that form the backbone of today’s technology industry.He studied Computational Thinking, Python, Statistics and Data Science, which helped him develop a solid understanding of problem solving and analytical thinking. According to him, the Diploma in Data Science proved particularly valuable because it allowed him to explore machine learning concepts in greater depth.Rather than focusing only on theory, the program encourages students to understand how technology can be applied to practical challenges.Learn by solving real-world problemsOne of the biggest takeaways from the program, says Uday, was the opportunity to work on industry-oriented projects.He singled out the Business Data Management (BDM) project and the Machine Learning project as key learning experiences. These projects required students to interact with employers, collect and analyze data, identify patterns, and present their findings.The experience has helped her strengthen not only her technical knowledge, but also her communication, teamwork and analytical skills, qualities that employers increasingly value alongside academic performance.According to Uday, these hands-on assignments played an important role in preparing him for career opportunities.Why projects matter as much as brandsAs the tech industry continues to evolve, recruiters are placing more emphasis on candidates who can demonstrate practical problem-solving skills rather than relying solely on academic scores.Uday’s journey reflects this changing trend. Along with learning programming and data science concepts, he gained experience applying these skills to real-world scenarios, making him industry-ready before graduation.His appointment as Systems Engineer (Prime) at TCS also highlights a wider lesson for students: while strong academic foundations remain important, hands-on learning, project experience and the ability to communicate solutions can significantly enhance career prospects.For students preparing for a career in technology, Uday’s story is a reminder that the most valuable learning often happens when classroom knowledge is put into practice.
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