Sanket Sinha (MS '18) uses the technical, interpersonal, and analytical skills he developed at the iSchool in his work as a senior data scientist at The Kraft Heinz Company. For Sinha, the combination of coursework and experiential learning opportunities make the MS/IM program "truly transformative and rewarding."
Where do you work, and what is your role?
I work at The Kraft Heinz Company as a senior data scientist on the Global People Analytics team.
What do you like best about your job?
There are many things I like about my role at Kraft Heinz. I like the collaborative work environment, where individuals from different academic backgrounds come together with an aim to provide data-driven insights and improve business performance. I enjoy working on new tools and technologies and having the freedom to bring new ideas to the table. Finally, I appreciate that the work my team and I do is visible to executive leadership and sometimes helps in organizational decision making.
Why did you decide to pursue a degree in IM?
My three years of work experience in India made me appreciate the significance of analytics within an organization. In addition, I was driven by my desire to take up a crucial role in an organization where I would be actively engaged in making key decisions and managing the flow of information that will facilitate business operations. My experience was helpful in figuring out my strengths and interests, and that is why I decided to pursue my MS/IM with a specialization in data science.
How did the iSchool help you get to where you are today?
The flexibility of the IM program allowed me to design my academic experience congruent with my interests and needs. The host of experiential learning opportunities strengthened my competencies. I developed teamwork, interpersonal, and analytical skills, which, along with expertise in IT technologies, have become my key strengths that help me in everyday life. That is why I believe the IM program is truly transformative and rewarding.
What advice would you like to share with iSchool students?
I would advise students to identify the specialization they want to pursue early in the first semester of their master's program, and take courses accordingly, as that will help them in searching for internships and full-time jobs. Depending upon which specialization they choose, there should always be a good blend of technical and management-related courses, since both types of skills are helpful in the real world. Also, they should take at least one course from a different department or college, like Computer Science or Business, as it will give them an opportunity to build a broader skillset.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I spend most of my spare time watching soccer or trying my best to play Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters" on my Fender acoustic.