Data Science Diaries – Ramesh Kumar

Data Scientist (Advanced Analytics) at Larsen & Toubro Infotech Ltd

10+ years in Analytics

Previous Experience:

Launchship Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd., DCR Workforce, Hewlett-Packard, Genpact, Kirloskar Electric Co.Ltd., and Tata Steel

Educational Qualification:

MS, Industrial Engineering and Management – Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
B.E, Metallurgical Engineering – National Institute of Technology Durgapur
Specialization – Advanced Business Analytics, Machine Learning, AI, Operation Research, Six Sigma, and Data Mining.

Ramesh recently spoke to Manipal Prolearn about his journey so far as a data scientist. The following are some excerpts from his interview:

Manipal ProLearn: Data science is a relatively new career field. How did you learn about it?  

Ramesh: Data science has been a part of businesses for a long time. No strategic decision could have been taken without a data-driven analysis.

As far as my career is concerned, it started with manufacturing. However, it was not a conventional shop floor job, but more about capacity planning and optimization of the resources for the manufacturing plant.

Manipal ProLearn: How will you explain your job role to a non-industry person in one line?

Ramesh: Umm… that I am in the field of applied mathematics, which requires a lot of self-motivation and research-oriented mindset.

Manipal ProLearn: One book or movie that you think every data scientist should watch/read or could draw some inspiration from.

Ramesh: It has to be Money Ball.

Manipal ProLearn: What are the three qualities or traits that are a must-have for data science professionals?

Ramesh: I will say curiosity, problem formulation, and storytelling.

Manipal ProLearn: What do you enjoy the most about being a data scientist?

Ramesh: The changing dimensions of the problems in data science and the expected solutions drive my excitement. You never get bored of doing the same thing. You are expected to come up with a solution for a variety of industry problems. People approach you with a problem or an idea, which might be vague, but you are expected to provide a logical solution to it. This novelty and challenge make each day exciting for me.

Manipal ProLearn: Name any industry leader who has been an inspiration to you, and why?

Ramesh: Jack Welch because I strongly agree with his quote:
“Don’t manage – lead change before you have to.”
It holds true to the fast-changing generation of analytics.

Manipal ProLearn: If not a data scientist, what would be your alternative career path and why?

Ramesh: If I could, I would have joined defense services. Coming from a Sainik School, joining defense services was always the first priority.

Manipal ProLearn: What do you like to do in your spare time when you are not deep diving into the data world?

Ramesh: “IF” I have some spare time, it’s mostly spent with my two little kids at home. Apart from that, I also try to write blogs whenever possible.

Manipal ProLearn: Can you share a few activities that can help data science professionals hone their skills? Or something that you like to do to sharpen your analytical skills?

Ramesh: My advice to data science professionals is:

1. Don’t get carried away by statistics and algorithms.
2. Learn to apply the above to drive intelligent business decision.

Manipal ProLearn: Share the biggest challenge you have faced so far in the field of data science.

Ramesh: There was one project where data had to be collected from shop floor as a part of time study. The machine operators were suspicious about the use of data to calculate their efficiency, as they felt it would affect their monthly incentives.

To overcome this, I calculated the efficiency and shared the analysis with them to prove that their existing efficiency-based pay-out is lower than what they might get with scientifically calculated efficiency.

Manipal ProLearn: If you ever have a movie made on your life, whom would you want to play your role and why?

Ramesh: I believe that hard work and dedication always pays off. I was impressed by Will Smith’s portrayal of Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happiness. If I had a movie made on my life, I would definitely want him to play the lead.

Manipal ProLearn: What changes do you expect to see in the ever-evolving data science world in the next few years?

Ramesh: AI is going to take over in no time. Be ready to witness and catch-up with an automated world.

Manipal ProLearn: What is your message to budding data scientists?

Ramesh: Be curious to explore the possibility of solving every business problem with data.