Ascend Pro: Launching Your Data Science Career to New Heights with Analytics Vidhya and KPMG

The Meteoric Rise of Data Science and AI

The world of data science and artificial intelligence (AI) is exploding. According to the World Economic Forum, AI and machine learning (ML) are set to create 58 million net new jobs by 2025. And the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an astounding 31% growth in data science jobs between 2020 and 2030, making it one of the fastest-growing fields.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

But while the opportunities in data science and AI are vast, breaking into this competitive field requires a unique blend of skills and experience. A recent study by IBM found that the top barrier to AI adoption for businesses is a lack of skilled personnel. And a survey by Kaggle revealed that hands-on experience with real-world data sets and projects is the #1 thing employers look for when hiring data scientists.

Bridging the Gap: Ascend Pro‘s Industry Immersive Approach

This is where the Ascend Pro program comes in. Launched in 2021 by Analytics Vidhya in collaboration with global consulting leader KPMG, Ascend Pro is a first-of-its-kind 30-week data science program designed to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real-world industry skills.

Unlike traditional data science bootcamps or degree programs, Ascend Pro takes an industry immersive approach. Participants get hands-on experience working on real projects with actual industry data sets, using the same tools and platforms employed by practicing data scientists. The curriculum is designed and taught by experienced professionals, ensuring students gain the most in-demand and cutting-edge skills.

Over the span of 30 weeks, Ascend Pro participants get:

• 160+ hours of live instructor-led sessions
• 10+ hands-on industry projects
• 4 full-day HackConfs with workshops, hackathons and expert talks
• 4 standalone hackathons on real-world data sets
• 100% career transition support through resume and interview prep, mock interviews and exclusive access to hiring partners

By the end of the program, participants have not only gained a comprehensive education in data science tools and techniques, but also have a robust portfolio of projects and a network of industry connections to help launch their careers.

A Comprehensive Data Science Curriculum for the Real World

The Ascend Pro curriculum is carefully crafted to cover the key skills and tools required for success in data science and AI roles. Participants gain hands-on experience with:

• Python programming for data science
• Machine learning with scikit-learn
• Deep learning with TensorFlow 2.0 and Keras
• SQL and NoSQL databases like MySQL, MongoDB and Cassandra
• Big data processing with Spark and Hadoop
• Cloud computing with Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Data visualization with Tableau and PowerBI
• Natural language processing with NLTK and SpaCy
• Computer vision with OpenCV

Rather than learning these concepts in isolation, participants implement them in the context of solving real business problems. Some examples of projects include:

• Predicting customer churn for a telecom company
• Building a recommendation system for an e-commerce platform
• Detecting fraudulent credit card transactions
• Forecasting stock prices using social media sentiment analysis
• Diagnnosing diseases from chest X-ray images using deep learning

By working on a diverse array of projects spanning different domains and techniques, participants gain versatile, industry-relevant experience that prepares them to tackle data science challenges across sectors like e-commerce, finance, healthcare, and more.

HackConfs and Hackathons: Solving Real Data Science Problems

One of the unique elements of Ascend Pro is the incorporation of HackConfs – full-day interactive sessions led by industry experts. HackConfs include hands-on workshops, talks by leading data scientists, and hackathons on real-world data sets.

For example, a recent HackConf focused on applying ML to climate change, with a hackathon challenge to predict energy consumption of buildings based on data like square footage, HVAC system specs, weather, and smart meter readings. Participants used techniques like feature engineering, hyperparameter tuning and ensemble modeling to build accurate predictive models while learning about a critical real-world application of ML.

In addition to the hackathons that are part of HackConfs, Ascend Pro includes 4 standalone competitive hackathons. These give participants additional opportunities to test their skills, learn from peers, and gain experience with the fast-paced problem-solving environment common in data science roles.

Real Results: Ascend Pro Alumni Success Stories

The ultimate measure of Ascend Pro‘s success is the results achieved by program alumni. And in just a few short years, Ascend Pro has already made a significant impact. Some key data points:

• 100s of alumni spanning 15+ countries
• 90% placement rate within 6 months of program completion
• 50% average salary increase for alumni switching careers into data science
• Alumni placed at top companies including American Express, Uber, Flipkart, Myntra, Tredence and more

But beyond the numbers, the true impact of Ascend Pro can be seen in the stories of individual alumni who have transformed their careers:

"Ascend Pro was a true game-changer for me. Despite having a degree in statistics, I struggled to break into data science. The program not only equipped me with cutting-edge technical skills, but also gave me the industry experience and confidence I needed to succeed. Just one month after completing Ascend Pro, I landed my dream job as a data scientist at a leading fintech company, doubling my previous salary." – Priyanka T.

"As a software engineer, I was intrigued by data science and ML but didn‘t know how to make the career transition. Ascend Pro‘s comprehensive curriculum and career support gave me the foundation I needed. The HackConfs and projects were invaluable in gaining real-world experience. With the help of the Ascend Pro team, I was able to land a data science role at a top e-commerce company, working on exciting challenges like personalized recommendation engines." – Arjun M.

Propel Your Data Science Career to New Heights

In the rapidly-evolving field of data science and AI, there has never been a better time to accelerate your career with cutting-edge skills and real-world experience. And there is no better way to gain that experience than Analytics Vidhya and KPMG‘s Ascend Pro program.

If you are a working professional looking to transition into a data science career, a recent graduate seeking to build industry-relevant skills, or anyone passionate about harnessing the power of data to drive business impact, Ascend Pro can help you achieve your goals.

The next Ascend Pro cohort kicks off on June 15, 2023. To learn more and start your application, visit https://ascendpro.analyticsvidhya.com/.

Don‘t miss this opportunity to gain the skills, network and experience you need to ascend your data science career to new heights. Apply to Ascend Pro today!