Although her high school journey was mostly humanities-focused, Palvi was excited to launch herself Data Science degree at UTS that pushed her outside of her comfort zone. “Simply put, the challenging aspect has been the best.”
Meet Palvi – Data Science Engineering student
Exploration and open-mindedness
When Palvi was in her final year of school, she felt as if her friends had their study path figured out. “I didn’t really know what I wanted to study for a long time. I’ve always felt that I’ve been an all-rounder in school and took that open-minded approach into making a decision on a degree”. Palvi took a process of elimination approach to land on her Data Science Engineering degree. “I had to force myself to explore the courses available as applications at universities were about to close. I read course guides as I tried to identify which course would suit the subjects I was passionate about being math and physics. I stumbled upon Engineering as my core degree”
When picking her major, Palvi came across Data Science Engineering. Despite not knowing much about the major, she knew she was up for a challenge and decided to research further on what it involved. “Further research on this major made me appreciate the growing nature of data engineering. I hadn’t heard much exposure to anything related to my major in the past, but I felt that the field was growing and it was very future-focused which grabbed my attention”.
Adapting to new fields and recognising the significance of Data
Despite lacking prior technical knowledge, Palvi embraced the opportunity to study technology in a completely unfamiliar domain. “We were not offered "techy" kind of subjects at school; we were very humanities-based. So, everything I studied from the first semester at uni was new to me. But I love a challenge and I get the best feeling out of it in the end.”
When asked how she would explain Data Science Engineering to someone with no prior knowledge of it, Palvi assures that it’s simpler than it sounds.
Everything around us in the world is built or affected by data. It’s everywhere, and it has the potential to make a difference in the world. Data Science Engineering involves creating and managing systems to service the data in our world. It’s all about leveraging the power and potential data has to make a difference.
Internship, mentorship and networking
Palvi is currently interning at Woolworths Group. The opportunities not only enhanced her knowledge but also helped to refine her career aspirations. “Internships are such fantastic ways to build your skills both in technical and non-technical aspects. I found that my internships allowed me to work in areas of Data Science Engineering that I wouldn’t have otherwise pursued. It’s a benefit that not many people talk about, but it means I don’t have any unchartered career territories within the industry”.
Participating in mentorship programs, like the Lucy Mentoring program, also highlighted a proactive approach to seeking guidance and insights from experienced professionals. These interactions also enabled her to see the importance of promoting gender diversity in traditionally male-dominated fields like engineering.
The Lucy Mentoring Program has allowed me to connect with so many like-minded women from different Engineering backgrounds. It’s provided me with perspective.
Palvi is also a Women in Engineering and IT Co-Operative Scholarship recipient and explains this achievement as life-changing as it provided her with more opportunities to network, and grow her confidence in this field. “Data Science Engineering is such an amazing study path for what it is. Having the scholarship awarded on top of that has presented me with even more opportunities to network, but mostly the growth in my confidence since the start of my journey has been astronomical”.
Palvi’s advice to future engineering students
Palvi says the most surprising part of her degree was that she didn’t feel she needed to have any prior knowledge in Data Science Engineering to succeed. “There’s a beauty to learning as you go. How hard can it be if you don’t ever try it out? Don’t feel you need to over-prepare for the unknown. The learning curve is real, but it’s rewarding when you get to the top”.
Palvi also credits her study experience to her ability to push herself enough to take on the opportunities that come her way. “You will gain more if you learn to embrace opportunities that come your way. I would tell my younger self the same advice because that is how you grow outside your comfort zone. Everything will work out if you put in the effort and stay in the present.”
Find out more about a degree in Data Science Engineering
