At Analytics Vidhya, we’re shining a spotlight on women in data science this March. Dive into the inspiring journey of Ruchi Bhatia, a leader in the field. Stay tuned for her story and more empowering narratives all month long!

Let’s look at her story of inspiration!

Ruchi Bhatia’s Inspiring Journey into Data Science

My Data Science journey, as a woman in tech, was fueled by curiosity and a desire to explore the world through the lens of data. And it’s been an incredible ride. I began coding when I was 13 years old, which built my interest in Computer Science well before I chose to study Computer Engineering in college. I was keen to learn about all areas related to Computer Science, motivated by my eagerness to challenge myself and find the area that clicked with me the most. This search eventually led me to Data Science.

I jumped into Data Science by taking courses, doing lots of research, and working on my own projects. Unlike some who learn as they work, I spent most of my internship time on projects that were all about Data Science. This helped me deepen my knowledge and love for this field.

Becoming a Triple Kaggle Grandmaster

Learning theoretical concepts and practicing with simple datasets is one thing, but applying those skills to solve real-world problems with data from various domains is another level entirely. Kaggle played a significant role in my journey since it helped me showcase my work on a global scale and motivated me to stay consistent.

Participating in Kaggle competitions was daunting yet thrilling. My initial attempts may not have been successful by traditional measures, but they represented significant learning milestones and helped me overcome the fear of failure. The exposure offered by the platform was tremendous in terms of helping me upskill my knowledge.

One of my proudest achievements was becoming the youngest Triple Kaggle Grandmaster. The countless hours spent crafting datasets, creating public notebooks, and engaging in discussions culminated in a tangible recognition of my dedication. 

From Data Enthusiast to Data Science Global Ambassador

My active contributions on Kaggle led me to become a Data Science Global Ambassador at HP. Through this program, I got access to state-of-the-art workstations and GPUs, which significantly enhanced my data science workflows.

These resources allowed me to conduct numerous experiments simultaneously, a boon in an era where workflows are compute intensive and efficiency is paramount. The high-quality equipment not only boosted my productivity but also facilitated my professional growth and enabled collaborations with some of the brightest minds in the field. It served as a catalyst for my continued engagement and contributions to the community.

Bridging Technology and Business as a Lead Data Scientist

The next defining period of my journey was my tenure at OpenMined. Here, I not only refined my technical skills but also pursued my passion for ethical AI. I spearheaded significant projects, including a pivotal collaboration with Twitter on algorithmic accountability and transparency, and made contributions to the UN Privacy Enhancing Technologies Lab (UN PETs Lab). I played a key role in a groundbreaking project with Twitter, where I led efforts to create synthetic datasets derived from Twitter data.

The objective was to identify and quantify biases within the data, a challenge that required both innovative problem-solving and meticulous attention to detail. The ability to translate complex data science concepts into actionable strategies garnered recognition from senior leadership at Twitter, marking a significant milestone in my career and highlighting the critical nature of our collaboration.

My contributions to this project and the success of our initiatives led to me becoming a Lead Data Scientist. A major aspect of my leadership involved contributing to the UN Privacy Enhancing Technologies Lab (UN PETs Lab). Here, I was responsible for developing and presenting innovative data science demonstrations on a weekly basis, employing state-of- the-art techniques. This played a crucial role in enhancing our software’s capabilities and improving the user experience.

Lessons Learned along the Way

Over my past few years in the industry, I’ve learnt some invaluable lessons:

• Perseverance is key: Data science is challenging. There will be times when the code doesn’t work, or the model performs poorly. The key is to keep trying, learning from failures, and moving forward.
• Community matters: The data science community is incredibly supportive. Engaging in forums, attending meetups, and participating in hackathons can provide support, inspiration, and opportunities for collaboration.
• Never stop learning: The field of data science is ever-evolving. Staying curious, keeping up with the latest trends, and continuously learning is crucial to success.
• Embrace diversity: Diverse perspectives enrich data science. As women, we bring unique viewpoints and approaches to problem-solving, which is vital for innovation and creativity in the field.

A Personal Note to my Fellow Women in Tech

If you’re contemplating a journey into data science, remember that your perspective, resilience, and creativity are invaluable assets. The path may be challenging, but it is also filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and making an impact. When I first chose Computer Engineering as my undergraduate major, I quickly noticed the gender gap in the tech space, and it was even more evident in Data Science. Yet, this observation never stopped me. Instead, it fueled my determination. I’m truly glad I didn’t let anything deter me from pursuing my passion in this field.

Often, just a little encouragement is all it takes to move forward when facing obstacles. I firmly believe that Data Science should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or gender. After all, it’s the diversity in our perspectives that enriches our work and leads to groundbreaking discoveries. As we celebrate Women’s Day, I want to inspire you to take a step forward in your learning journey and chase your dreams. Let’s embrace the adventure and the endless possibilities that the fascinating world of Data Science holds.

About Ruchi Bhatia

Ruchi Bhatia is a Computer Engineer with a Master’s degree in Information Systems Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Currently, she is leveraging her skills as a Product Marketing Manager in the rapidly evolving field of Data Science and AI at HP. She takes pride in being the youngest triple Kaggle Grandmaster across the Notebooks, Datasets, and Discussion categories.

Her previous role as the Leader of Data Science at OpenMined allowed her to refine her leadership skills while guiding a team of data scientists to create groundbreaking solutions. Furthermore, as one of the 21 Data Science Global Ambassadors for Z by HP, she had the opportunity to share her knowledge and insights with the broader data science community.

Click on her LinkedIn profile here.

Summing-up

Ruchi’s passion for coding started at a young age and has only grown over time, particularly in the areas of Data Science and Data Analysis. Her experience working in the technology divisions of multinational corporations such as Sony and Colgate-Palmolive has provided her with invaluable industry insights. As the integration of businesses and information technology continues to grow, she is committed to leveraging her expertise to bridge the gap between technology and business effectively

You can also share your story or nominate someone who has inspired you by filling out this form. 

Let’s continue to uplift and empower each other in the journey towards a more inclusive and innovative future.