Uncharted Career: From Data Scientist to Tech Founder, and Everything in Between

I've had a unique and, honestly, quite a chaotic journey in my career so far. My path, starting with economics at IIT Kanpur, then transitioning to data science in banking, and eventually finding myself in the tech startup world, has been filled with surprising turns, unforeseen challenges, and plenty of moments of self-doubt.

At IIT Kanpur, my academic journey was eclectic. economics was my primary subject, particularly as my course progressed, but thanks to the flexibility of IIT Kanpur course structure and broad electives, I explored far and wide. I also ventured into computer science, doing enough credits for a minor. The courses around artificial intelligence, in particular, captivated my interest. Little did I know then, this was an early glimpse into my future tech-oriented career. In addition, I explored humanities subjects like Psychology and English Literature. This broad academic exploration not only enriched my perspective but also built a diverse knowledge base, which has consistently informed my approach to challenges in my career.

Amidst all this academic exploration, the entrepreneurial bug bit me. Along with my friends, I co-founded a startup called Yatayat: an Uber for auto-rickshaws in Kanpur and Delhi. Our idea even got selected for an incubator program in Helsinki. The joy of seeing our idea taking shape was unmatched; it felt like we were on the verge of something big.

However, life is full of tough decisions and so I found myself at a crossroads when an offer from Citi came along. In retrospect, choosing the security of a corporate job over the excitement of a promising startup may not have been the best decision. Still, it was a valuable lesson about the choices we make and the directions they can lead us. The experience left me with a nagging question: Where did my heart and mind truly belong? The answer, as it turns out, would continue to unfold over the next few years.

After graduation, I joined Citi as a data scientist. It was an intense job with lots of demanding tasks, which challenged me intellectually. I appreciated the complexity of the work and was eager to put my economics training to good use. But as I worked through piles of data and grappled with intricate financial models, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was just a small cog in a big machine.

Despite my initial interest in finance, I felt drawn to explore the world of tech startups. This led me to take a leap of faith and join a budding startup, Credibase (now known as B2Brain), as a principal engineer in 2013. Suddenly, I found myself in a less structured, more dynamic environment where I had to play multiple roles. This was challenging yet invigorating.

Then came the opportunity to start my own venture, a fintech startup called Balance. We aimed to help everyday users save money by identifying micro saving opportunities. Starting a business from scratch, with all the uncertainties and obstacles it came with, was both thrilling and terrifying. Often, I questioned if I was in over my head, but each challenge taught me valuable lessons and propelled me further on my journey.

In 2018, Balance was acquired by Paytm, and I once again found myself part of a large organization. However, this time around, I was wearing a different hat. I led diverse product teams, juggling different projects, and learning something new every single day. The dynamic tech environment at Paytm was fulfilling, and I found the problems we were solving to be fascinating and impactful.

When I reflect on my journey, from my early days as an economics student to my current role in tech, it seems far from straightforward. I've faced times of uncertainty, made risky career pivots, and often wondered if I was making the right choices. Despite the confusion and challenges, every step has taught me something valuable, every experience has shaped who I am today.

Even now, I can't claim to know exactly what the future holds for me. But what I do know is that every new challenge, every unexpected turn, brings me closer to finding my own unique path. And that makes me look forward to the next chapter, the next adventure that awaits. So here's to the unplanned, the unexpected, and the unknown. After all, it's these surprises that make life so incredibly interesting.