Boosting student careers with data science skill building

In the town of Shadnagar, about 33 miles southwest of Hyderabad, Microsoft is collaborating with United Way of Hyderabad (UWH) to provide a three-month data science certification program for students in the area. The program targets recent graduates from government-run colleges in the region, with priority given to students from low-income groups and single-parent households. In addition to technical skills, the program enhances communication and life skills, making students job-ready and resilient.

With help from the municipal corporation – a local government body that manages the administration of small towns – the old municipal office building was converted into a training center for the students. The center was officially opened in June 2024, providing a space for skill development and making the program more accessible to the local community.

Out of 640 initial applications, 40 students from various villages in and around Shadnagar were admitted to the first program and trained to become industry ready. They completed courses in advanced Excel, SQL, Power BI, and Python, and received graduation certificates upon completion. The students also received placement assistance and were encouraged to attend interviews to secure jobs. The trainers conducted mock interviews to help improve the students’ performance during actual interviews.

Since completing the program, 36 of these students have already been placed and are working in various companies. This holistic program has improved the lives of these students personally and professionally, as most of them are the first ones from their family to take up professional roles.

“The turning point in my life came when I enrolled in the data science training program,” said Kota Sandeep, one of the graduates. “This opportunity gave me the skills and confidence I needed to change the direction of my life. The training was invaluable, and it led to my first job as a Management Information System executive.”

Gangadhar Ketlavath is another student who succeeded in securing a job after attending the skilling program. “I would like to take this moment to express my heartfelt thanks to [the organizing teams], and to all my mentors. I have learned and improved my [data science] skill set,” he said. “Apart from these, I have learned life skills, too. Initially, before this camp, I had zero knowledge of these tools; but this camp gave me a wonderful opportunity to hone my skills.”

The program is planned to run for two years, and the second set of 40 students will be graduating in early 2025.