# Beyond the Degree: A Journey from Physics to AI Research

*This interview was conducted by allcareerguru (ACG) to inspire students by exploring the non-linear career path of N. Raja, a data scientist who transitioned from a basic physics degree to leading data science teams and eventually conducting AI research at one of India's premier institutions.*

Every year, thousands of students ask the same question: *How do I become a data scientist?* Many believe the answer lies in choosing the "right" degree, graduating from a prestigious institution, or learning the latest programming language.

N. Raja's journey tells a very different story.

He began with a [B.Sc](http://B.Sc). in Physics from a modest college in Madurai. He briefly pursued a master's degree at IIT Guwahati, switched to an MBA, entered industry through digital marketing, transitioned internally into data science, built expertise through relentless self-learning, started his own data science consulting company, led AI and analytics teams in industry, and today works as a Research Scientist in the AI Department at IIT Madras.

His story is not really about data science. It is about curiosity, resilience, and the willingness to keep learning throughout one's career.

In this conversation with **AllCareerGuru (ACG)**, Raja reflects on the decisions that shaped his journey and shares lessons that every student can benefit from.

**The Foundation: Choosing Passion Over Prestige**

**ACG: Let’s start with your final year of school. What were your interests back then, and how did you choose your college?**

**Raja:** After grade 12, I was torn between mathematics and physics. I felt more inclined toward physics because it brought mathematical equations to life. I chose to pursue a [B.Sc](http://B.Sc). in Physics, a subject I had loved since my high school days.

**ACG: Was engineering not on your radar? It also offers a lot of math and practical applications.**

**Raja:** At the time, I wasn't focused on  high scores needed for engineering entrance exams. More importantly, engineering education was expensive. Unless you secured a seat in a government college, it was financially out of reach for my family.

**ACG: So you ended up at Yadava College, affiliated with Madurai Kamaraj University. Did you ever regret that decision?**

**Raja:** Not at all!. While the college environment wasn't highly academic—most students were just there for the degree—it had an excellent library. I realized early on that I wouldn't learn much from the standard classroom training, so I turned to self-study. I spent my time in the library solving problems from standard textbooks to prepare for postgraduate entrance exams at the IITs.

**ACG: That sounds like a lonely path. Did you have a peer group to support you?**

**Raja:** Hardly. In these kinds of colleges, finding a motivated peer group is a challenge. But the library was my sanctuary. Back then, we didn't have the internet or personal computers, so books were everything. In Tamil Nadu colleges at the time, physics was often taught descriptively—memorizing how a nuclear reactor works rather than solving the underlying physics problems. I knew that wouldn't be enough for entrance exams, so I pushed myself to master the mathematical side of physics independently.

**The Pivot: From Physics to an MBA**

**ACG: What happened after your** [**B.Sc**](http://B.Sc)**.?**

**Raja:** I discovered the JAM (Joint Admission test for Masters). In 2005, I secured a seat at IIT Guwahati for an [M.Sc](http://M.Sc). in Physics. However, within six months, I realized that my family’s financial situation required me to get into the workforce quickly. I wasn't interested in pursuing a PhD or a long-term research career in physics at that time.

**ACG: That’s a big shift. How did you transition from pure science to the corporate world?**

**Raja:** I realized an MBA was the fastest "cash machine" to a job. Because of my strong foundation in math and logic from physics, I excelled at entrance exams. I secured a state rank of 87 in the Tamil Nadu MBA entrance exam and joined SSN College of Engineering.

**ACG: There’s a lesson there for students about the power of analytical skills.**

**Raja:** Absolutely. Math and logic are universal. Whether it’s a bank exam, a software job, or an MBA entrance, those analytical skills are your greatest asset. If you practice them early, they can take you anywhere.

**Breaking into Data Science**

**ACG: After your MBA, you joined Global Analytics. How did that happen, especially coming from a physics and management background?**

**Raja:** I didn't want a traditional management role; I wanted something that involved math. A friend referred me to Global Analytics for an internship. I started in digital marketing, but because I could handle the analytical side, I was moved to the Marketing Analytics team within a few months. 

**ACG: Global Analytics was one of the pioneers of data science in India.**

**Raja:** It was an incredible environment. Out of nearly 300 employees, about 100 were in data science, and 80 of them were from the IITs. It was 2009, and we were doing consumer behavior modeling using  classical machine learning long before "Data Science" became a buzzword.

**ACG: You stayed there for six years. What kept you motivated?**

**Raja:** The peer group was phenomenal. I learned that your pedigree—where you come from—only matters for the first door you open. Once you're inside, you have to prove yourself every day. I also started taking MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). When Coursera and Udacity launched around 2011, I was sometimes taking three courses in parallel. By the time I left, I had earned over ten certificates in advanced machine learning, statistics and programming.

**The Road to Leadership and Research**

**ACG: You eventually moved into leadership roles, heading data science teams at companies like Funds India and at a  startup. What helped you climb that ladder?**

**Raja:** I had both a deep interest in technical rigor and a problem-solving mindset. More importantly, I was willing to step into unfamiliar domains without fear and learn whatever was needed. At FundsIndia, I had the privilege of being mentored by Krish Seshadri, a Stanford engineering graduate, London Business School alumnus, and former Vice President at Facebook—who encouraged me to build my personal brand and think far beyond the goals I had set for myself. He urged me to apply to MIT. I applied only to MIT and was ultimately rejected, largely because of my undergraduate grades. But the experience wasn't a setback. His mentorship taught me to aim much bigger, pursue ambitious goals, and challenge the limits I had placed on myself. 

**ACG: You eventually returned to academia, but this time at the IIT Madras AI department. How did that come full circle?**

**Raja:** After taking a break to spend time with my family while occasionally doing AI consulting, I knew I wanted to return to AI full-time—this time on the research side. Around that time, I met Professor B. Ravindran at IIT Madras. He was looking for someone with industry experience who could bridge the gap between AI research and AI product development for a government project. While working on that project, I accidentally came across the AI program offered by the IIT Madras AI Department and decided to apply. It was a unique joint [M.Sc](http://M.Sc). in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence offered by IIT Madras and the University of Birmingham. Although it had been nearly 20 years since I completed my undergraduate degree, my conceptual understanding of mathematics had remained strong. I cleared the entrance examination and interviews, successfully completed the program, and graduated. Today, I work as a Research Scientist in the AI Department at IIT Madras, where I continue to bridge cutting-edge AI research with real-world applications.  

**Advice for the Next Generation**

**ACG: In this era of AI anxiety, what is your message to students?**

**Raja:** **Don't rely solely on your degree certificate.** A degree is just a piece of paper for the first job. What matters is your ability to learn independently. If you can't find a job, offer to work for free for six months to learn and contribute. Once you prove your value, your past doesn't matter.

**ACG: Does fundamental knowledge still matter when AI can answer almost anything?**

**Raja:** It matters more than ever. To make better decisions than AI, you need a strong foundation in programming, probability, and statistics. While AI can generate answers, humans still need to stay in the loop to solve fundamental problems, reason through complex situations, and understand the "why" behind the data. Those fundamentals will remain essential for the foreseeable future.

**ACG: Any final thoughts on the importance of networking?**

**Raja:** Networking and mentorship are invaluable. Don't be afraid to ask for help, seek advice, or learn from the people around you. You will consciously—and often subconsciously—absorb their habits, values, and ways of thinking. Surround yourself with people you look up to—people whose character, curiosity, and approach to life inspire you to grow.

Many of my career transitions—from Global Analytics to IIT Madras—happened because I reached out to people, built meaningful relationships, and I wasn't hesitant to ask questions, seek guidance, or ask for help along the way.

One person who wasn't directly part of my professional career, but who profoundly shaped my journey over the last 15 years, is Professor Venkatesh Raman. I had the opportunity to work with him outside my profession, and that experience taught me far more than technical skills. His genuine interest in nurturing people has had a lasting impact on me. Through his generosity, humility, discipline and time management, I learned lessons that have stayed with me throughout my career. In many ways, he has been a long-term mentor.

Be open to learning from those around you, invest in genuine relationships, and don't hesitate to ask for guidance. As you continue to learn, evolve, and expand your horizons, you'll find opportunities—and your own path—that you might never have imagined.

*N. Raja’s story is a testament to the fact that a career is not a straight line, but a series of evolutions fueled by curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning.*