Having already had a successful career in software development, can you tell us a bit about how you came to complete your Masters of Applied Data Science at UC?
I got into software development straight after graduating from college. I was young and had very little understanding of how to choose a career, follow my passions, or even finance my education, so I studied what I thought was best at the time.
I’ve always been a studious person with a strong sense of curiosity, so the thought of returning to study gradually came back to me. As someone who enjoys reading about topics like AI and emerging technologies, I began hearing more about data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. This sparked my interest, and I started attending seminars back in India to learn more.
I reconnected with a friend who told me about the Master of Applied Data Science at UC. After doing further research, I quickly decided to pursue the programme and move to New Zealand. I thoroughly enjoyed the curriculum, made great friends, and gained a deeper appreciation of New Zealand’s culture.
What was your experience like coming back to uni to retrain?
The thought of going back to study after 7 years of full-time paid work was daunting. To leave my loved ones behind is the hardest decision I have ever made in my life however, I knew deep down that I wanted more out of my career and I have thanked my family and friends who were so supportive of my adventure. My experience at UC proved me right, having the opportunity to meet new people every day, falling in love with Earth’s own paradise – New Zealand, and learning so much in a short period of time.
Is there any advice you would give to students in similar circumstances?
The only advice I can give to anyone is to listen to what your heart says. Follow what you want to do with your career and interests. As Paulo Coelho said in The Alchemist – "When you really want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it". Also, remember time is relative (I quote Interstellar for obvious nerdy reasons), what I mean by that is the time will be right when you do things that are right to you. It’s never too late, take one step at a time, and things will fall into place eventually.
You are based in Wellington, working with Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko as a Senior Data Engineer – can you describe your job to us in a nutshell?
I’m based in Wellington and work as a Senior Data Architect at the Electricity Authority Te Mana Hiko. My role involves designing and delivering robust, scalable data solutions that support the Authority’s strategic priorities. I focus on ensuring data is reliable, secure, and easily accessible for analytics and decision-making.
What I find most rewarding is turning complex data challenges into practical solutions that create real business value. With a strong background in both data engineering and architecture, I enjoy building systems that meet current needs while remaining flexible for the future. I’m particularly passionate about enabling teams to make better decisions through high-quality, well-governed data.
Is there a project you’ve been involved in that you are particularly proud of?
One project I’m especially proud of is the development of our Modern Data Platform (an end‑to‑end architecture and set of technologies that enables organisations to collect, store, process, analyse, and govern data efficiently at scale), which we began last year and continues to evolve. I’ve been leading this initiative, with a focus on making the platform scalable, efficient, and robust.
A significant challenge was aligning stakeholders and bringing everyone along on the data vision, but we’ve made strong progress. Today, the platform provides highly trusted, high-quality data that supports a wide range of business needs and decision-making.
Where do you hope to be in the next 5 years of your career?
Over the next five years, I aim to take on a strategic leadership role where I can drive an organisation’s data vision and strategy, whether that’s within the Electricity Authority or in a future opportunity.
I’m passionate about influencing how organisations approach data, helping them build ecosystems that are trustworthy, reliable, and aligned with their goals. Ultimately, I want to enable better decision-making by ensuring data is treated as a valuable and strategic asset.
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