Her Story
About Shivani
I've been in the data analytics field for about 5 years now. Since school, I always liked math, but I didn't know where to go with it. I also had a creative end and liked arts, so I eventually turned to engineering for my math love. While studying engineering, I had the realization that I could get into data analysis, which is a bit of mathematical and creative field. I got introduced to data analytics and data science during my second year of undergrad through electives, and that's how I started in the field through internships and small projects. Even in roles with different names, like operations manager, I was always working with data - logistics, inventories, and everything. My data analysis is mostly in imaging, and I have a craze for fashion. I came to the U.S. to pursue my master's at Boston University to learn more in depth about it, graduating in May 2025. I published research papers in machine learning in fashion where I analyzed all the Vogue shoots over the years. Currently, I'm working for a startup called Matic that's helping with boat repairs. We're in the research and development phase, working on data sets and data architecture. I'm also job hunting for another role that I can do simultaneously since this startup role isn't full-time. I'm someone who is disciplined, loves working in teams, and likes to be creative and innovative. I always voice my opinion whenever needed and put in my thoughts on projects.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shivani
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You should always keep doing your thing and be consistent. Your knowledge will always take you somewhere. If you're consistent and inquisitive about things, if you always get intrigued by different things, keep learning them, because that knowledge will definitely take you somewhere someday. It will really help you. I have seen a lot of friends who were doing something else, and then they were interested in healthcare, and they just took a course randomly. They thought it wouldn't help them at all, and that's what they are doing now. A few of them were in my field, and then they started learning finance, and now they are out there. The knowledge never goes to waste. As long as you keep sharpening your knowledge, it will always come to use.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Currently, the biggest challenge is to get hands-on experience. Looking at the market, people do have projects and everything, but it's really difficult to get a job or a good job. Most of the grads do not have hands-on experience, even though they are qualified and they want to. It's literally a rat race for people to get a job. This might be due to AI, maybe, but I don't believe that AI could replace what these professionals could do, because decision-making isn't always about metrics and everything. It's also sometimes about intuitions and values that the company or the person holds.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Professionally, I am disciplined and I like having some time. I really love to have my team in on everything that I'm doing, so I love working in teams. I really like to be creative and innovative. I like to voice my opinion whenever needed. If there's a project, or if there's anything new coming up, I am someone who won't keep quiet if I don't think something doesn't fit right, or if I think that something needs to be added, I always try to put in my thought to it. Later on, if everyone agrees or disagrees, that's a different question, but I like to put in my thoughts. My greatest achievement is breaking the barrier that I had. In India, girls do not go into engineering, and that's what I did, which my family was also shocked. Then coming out of the way to U.S., I'm the first generation person to actually come outside for studying. I always try to break barriers when I feel that I can't do something, and I really want to do it.
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