I received direct guidance from Prof. Chandrasekaran, and this document clearly captures the same structured thinking he shared with us on how to choose the right data career. I was initially confused about which data role to pursue, but this guide laid out everything from understanding different data roles to aligning them with one’s background in a very practical way. His classroom guidance, real-world perspective, and the projects I worked on based on his suggestions helped me build the right skills with clarity and purpose. This focused approach played a major role in my complete transition into a data career and ultimately helped me land my current job. I strongly recommend his guidance and this document to anyone serious about building a career in data