Saachi Katariya

Saachi Katariya
Data Analytics, Technology, and Applications (CIT)

What did you choose your specific program of study?

I chose my specific program of study (Data Analytics) because it will help me with an in-depth understanding of different data analysis tools and techniques. My major teaches me to break down problems and solve them, and it teaches me important concepts that I need when becoming an engineer/data analyst.

What are a couple of your favorite things about your program of study?

One of my favorite things about my program of study would be that I get hands-on experience working in my statistics lab and the CNIT labs. I also like that we get exposure to different coding languages. In addition, something else that I like in my program of study is that I get to meet and work with people who all have different majors within the college of Polytechnic.

What has been one of your favorite class projects?

Most new innovations are created by problems occurring in the real world. One problem that my team and I looked into for my Design and Thinking class is: “people that are looking for homes need affordable and safe places to live because everyone needs a roof over their head to improve quality of life.” I along with my team created an eco-friendly portable RV out of recycled material; this was one of my favorite projects so far!

What other activities are you involved in on campus?

I’m a member of the South Indian Association club (SIA) and the Relay for Life club (RFL), on campus. In addition, I am on the executive board of my residence hall, where I get to work with other halls to plan events throughout the year. I am an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for a class called TECH12000 which all Polytech majors have to take. Also, I was a part of the Data Mine Living Learning Community as a freshman, and my project research was essentially analyzing the relationship between changing variables such as change in temperature and change in soil.

What was something unique about one of your summer internships?

I feel like there were many different aspects of my internship that were unique. One unique thing about my internship was that I got a mix of structured learning and hands-on experience in different departments within the insurance industry. In addition to that, working with my team and industry professionals on our final capstone project on GenAI was something that I found exciting and helped me expand my horizons.

What do you know about your program of study now that you wish someone had told you when you were choosing a major?

I wish someone had told me what kind of coding languages we would be learning in the different CNIT classes.

What would be one piece of advice for prospective students or new Purdue students?

I would tell new and prospective students to not be afraid to get involved and try new things! College is all about exploring and finding what you're passionate about, and you should always make the most of this experience. Also, I would say to always ask for help if you need it, and branch out and meet new people. Initially, I’d say it may seem a little hard to ask for help, however, I think it makes you stronger. I would also say that making new friends help you learn more about yourself and it allows you to create stronger bonds. One last suggestion I would give would be to take advantage of the resources that you have such as professors' office hours, study groups, tutoring, etc.

Have questions? Email me at skatariy@purdue.edu