Alumni Showcase: Shriram Ramanujam (Analytics)

I am Shriram Ramanujam, an alumnus of the MITB (Analytics Track), Class of 2021.  Before MITB, I worked as an IT professional in the banking and healthcare sectors. Today, I am proud to be part of BlackRock’s Aladdin Group, where I tackle principal engineering challenges, integrating software engineering and analytics to uphold critical systems’ operational integrity.  

My decision to pursue MITB was rooted in its renowned status as a premier analytics programme that offers an interactive seminar-styled learning environment. I wanted to equip myself with comprehensive data analytics knowledge so that I can use data-driven approaches to solve challenging real-world problems.

During my six-month internship at UPS, I had the opportunity to spearhead the life cycle of a data science project, encompassing problem statement analysis, data engineering, modeling, and reporting. The regular interactions with MITB instructors provided invaluable guidance and ultimately paved the path to my current career trajectory.

The professors at SMU are not only well-versed in their respective fields but also bring extensive industry experience to the classroom. They encourage active participation in class, coupled with an ethos of no question is wrong or silly. The modules taught by Prof. Kam Tin Seong and Prof Patrick Thng are particularly enriching as the knowledge they impart remains instrumental in guiding my daily professional endeavours.

Solving complex problems requires a diverse toolkit of skills, which the MITB programme adeptly cultivates and provides practical application opportunities. As the IT industry continues to evolve, the demand for individuals capable of delivering data-driven solutions continues to rise. From personal experience, I can affirm that embarking on the MITB journey yields substantial dividends in career advancement and personal growth.