“UBC MDS stood out for how deliberately it is structured. The curriculum strikes a balance between statistical foundations and practical application, and the capstone project, where you work on a real problem with an actual industry partner, was a big draw.”
Previous Degree: Bachelor’s of Engineering in Computer Engineering from Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology
Program: MDS Vancouver, Class of 2026
During my time at Ericsson, I worked on the technical side of project management and naturally found myself drawn toward the data. I kept looking for patterns and trying to make sense of numbers that were often treated as background noise. Over time, I realized I was less interested in just observing the data and more interested in analyzing it and translating it into insights that could support decisions and be communicated clearly to stakeholders.
About Lavanya Gupta
Lavanya completed her Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering from Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology in India, and then joined Ericsson Global India Pvt. Ltd., where she worked in Project Management Operations. It was this combination of academic and industry exposure that ultimately led Lavanya toward data science. Before applying to the MDS program, Lavanya reached out to a few alumni before applying, and they spoke about how the program genuinely prepares you for industry, not just academically but in terms of how you think and approach problems. When not in MDS, you will find Lavanya reading murder mystery novels and seeking out new experiences unrelated to data science. Read Lavanya’s story.
