04/03/2024
Originally from India, Latika Kakwani came to IE University to start her journey in finding a more technically demanding career. Seeking out a role where she felt challenged and where she could apply her skills to big data, Latika decided to pursue the Master in Business Analytics and Big Data.
Embarking on a career transition requires a blend of courage, determination and strategic planning. After working for several years in software testing, Latika Kakwani decided to take the leap into data analytics, a field she saw as more technically challenging and one that would provide more opportunities for growth. We sat down with Latika to hear about her transformative journey in the Master in Business Analytics and Big Data.
Tell us about your professional background—where have you studied and where have you worked?
After completing a degree in computer engineering in my hometown in India, I worked in software testing, spending around five to six years in the telecom sector. However, I wanted to do something more intellectually stimulating. I had a background in coding and I was interested in finding a job where I could use more of an analytical and creative mindset.
Since then, I’ve been working in NatWest group as a data analytics manager. This role has brought me a lot of opportunities and growth, including the chance to relocate from India to London.
What factors influenced your decision to come to IE University to pursue the Master in Business Analytics and Big Data?
My decision was based on a blend of professional and personal aspirations. Professionally, I was looking for a career that would challenge my technical abilities and foster creative problem-solving. At that time, data analytics was quite new, and there weren’t many universities offering degrees in this area.
IE University’s Master in Business Analytics and Big Data had exactly what I wanted.
At the same time, my husband was also ready to further his education, so having the chance to complete our degrees together at the same university was a great experience. It was fun going back to student life together after being married and working.
What was your biggest takeaway from the program?
One of the most important takeaways from my experience at IE University was the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of students. Of around 40 students in the class, there were very few from the same country or culture. It was the first time in my life that I had such a global, diversified experience.
The program’s emphasis on teamwork and collaboration gave me skills that I use today in my career.
Working alongside classmates from different backgrounds broadened my perspectives and helped me adapt to diverse working environments.
The cross-cultural communication skills I gained have been invaluable in my current role in London.
What advice would you give to future students of the Master in Business Analytics and Big Data?
My first piece of advice is definitely to prioritize networking and career events from the beginning. Building your professional network and actively looking for opportunities is important for your career prospects after graduation.
IE Talent & Careers provides so many resources, career events and talent summits, which you should take advantage of.
My husband and I both got job offers through these resources. It’s important to make connections with people on LinkedIn and follow up with recruiters after meeting them.
My second piece of advice is to take some basic programming courses if you don’t have a technical background. That will help you start the classes with a solid foundation so you don’t struggle with the initial learning curve of the program.
A degree that empowers you to forge your own career path
The Master in Business Analytics and Big Data at IE University empowers individuals like Latika to chart their career trajectories in the dynamic field of data analytics. This comprehensive program offers a blend of hard skills in data science, including machine learning, advanced AI, data visualization and big data technologies, alongside soft skills development in leadership and communication.
The program offers opportunities for professional certifications, immersion weeks, international exchanges and internships with leading companies. Graduates emerge equipped to drive business transformation and decision-making processes through advanced analytics and machine learning, making them invaluable assets in today’s data-driven world.
Latika’s journey through the Master in Business Analytics and Big Data is a great example of the transformative impact of lifelong learning. IE University empowers students to forge their own career paths by embracing diverse perspectives, honing critical skills and gaining exposure to a variety of professional opportunities.
