My Unplanned Journey to Data Analytics

🧍‍♀️ Who Am I?

Hi, my name is Sushmita Rawat, but you can call me Sush — I’ve been called that since childhood.

😷 Childhood, Setbacks, and First Dreams

Growing up, I was one of those kids who used to fall sick a lot. Somehow, whenever something good was about to happen, I’d end up getting sick. Still, I was a bright student. I had big dreams — I wanted to take the science stream in 12th grade and become an Air Force pilot.

But during my 10th standard, I was diagnosed with bronchopneumonia, and that year was spent mostly at home. I survived school on leave applications, only showing up for tests and exams. I didn’t perform well and ended up with a 6.8 CGPA — my first big dream shattered.

🚫 No Science, No Math — Now What?

My parents pleaded with the school principal to allow me to take science, but they refused. I asked at least for commerce with maths — again, a "no." My marks in maths were low, and they weren’t ready to take the risk.

So I ended up in commerce without maths, but as they say, when one door closes, another opens.

💡 A Glimpse of Tech

In Kendriya Vidyalaya, I was introduced to Information Practices — we were taught JavaScript and SQL. I became the topper of my class and scored decently in my 12th board exams. This was when my interest began to shift — I loved Java, but I was better at SQL.

I wanted to pursue BCA, but couldn’t because I didn’t have maths. So, I ended up doing a B.com — something I had no real interest in — but I got into Delhi University, and that felt like a win.

🦠 COVID: The Life Pause

Just when I started settling into college life, COVID happened. I rushed back home and ended up spending two full years attending online classes. That was it — no college memories, no campus life. After I graduated in 2022, I felt like I had lost everything — confidence, dreams and direction.

📚 Plan B: CUET and Rejection

I prepared for the CUET exam for MA Economics. I gave it in 2023 — the paper was tough. I scored decent in my category but still ended up waitlisted at HCU. No admission. Another heartbreak.

🤖 Enter AI, ChatGPT & The Tech Tsunami

After COVID, I noticed a huge shift — tech had exploded. Remote work, online businesses, and suddenly — AI everywhere. ChatGPT was trending, AI tools were replacing jobs, and I read an article that even engineers who built ChatGPT is getting replaced by it.

It was scary. But I had a realization: AI might replace jobs — but someone still needs to control AI.

💻 Remembering My Love for Tech

Since I was good at SQL and knew a little Java, I thought — why not try something in tech? I loved computers. I wanted to code like a hacker (maybe one day!). So I asked ChatGPT the question that changed everything:

"Can a B.com graduate get an IT job?"

It said: YES.

I asked again, “But what kind of IT job can a B.com graduate without maths get?”
The top answers: Data Analyst and Data Scientist.

I had no idea what those meant, but I started reading more. Soon, my feed was flooded with ads and job openings: “Become a Data Scientist!” “Earn big!” “In-demand field!”

I thought: Okay, maybe I can do this.

🚀 The Beginning of My Data Journey

In January 2024, I officially began my journey. I didn’t have enough money for expensive courses, so I bought a Complete Data Science & Machine Learning course on Udemy for ₹499.

Best decision ever.

It gave me an overview of:

• Python

• SQL

• ML algorithms

• Tools

• Libraries

• And what Data Science really is

I learned that Python is one of the easiest languages for Data Science. I learned it from Udemy, Kaggle, and free online courses. But let me be honest — learning a programming language from scratch, without a science background, is HARD. Python alone was tough, forget machine learning.

📉 Doubts, Pressure & A Pivot

My parents were scared. They didn’t understand what I was doing. They just wanted to know if this would lead to a job. I started to feel unsure too.

That’s when I realized: becoming a Data Scientist directly is very difficult, especially for someone from commerce.

So, I decided to start with Data Analytics.

I enrolled in a 8-month Data Analytics Intensive Program by Jobaaj. It focused on insights, data visualization, and tools like Excel, Python, SQL, Tableau — and this felt right.

It’s a great stepping stone. I'm building skills and projects, and now I finally feel like I’m on a path I belong to.

📝 What's Next?

From today, I’ll be uploading my blogs and projects here on Hashnode — sharing my progress, wins, doubts, and lessons. I may not have landed a job yet, but I’m putting in the work every day — and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. I hope someone out there relates to this journey and finds a spark to start their own.

💬 Final Words

I didn’t start from a place of privilege or perfection. I started with confusion, fear, and ₹499. But what I have now is hope — and a willingness to keep going.