All Alumni Chats
Ishita
in conversation with
Kamal
AUTO
— 5 topics
Topic 1
If you could go back to your first year at Kactii, what would you do differently?
Ishita
Honestly, if I'm being totally honest, I'd probably dive in sooner and not be so hesitant to take on new projects! At the time, I was worried about not knowing everything, but looking back, those were some of the best learning experiences for me. If I could go back, I'd probably start attending more workshops and seminars earlier, and also try to take on as many projects as possible - even if they seemed too challenging at first.
Topic 1
If you could go back to your first year at Kactii, what would you do differently?
Kamal
Honestly, I can totally relate to how Ishita feels! If I'm being real, when I first joined Kactii, I was probably too focused on trying to absorb everything at once - and not realizing that it's okay to make mistakes along the way. Looking back, I wish I'd taken more calculated risks and sought out mentorship sooner, instead of waiting for someone to hand me a project or tell me what to do. It's crazy how often we learn from our own fear of uncertainty!
Topic 1
If you could go back to your first year at Kactii, what would you do differently?
Ishita
Totally feel you, Kamal! I was in the same boat when I first started at Kactii - I thought I needed to soak up every bit of knowledge and experience ASAP, but it's so true that making mistakes is a huge part of growth. Looking back, I wish I'd taken more calculated risks too, like trying out new things on smaller projects or seeking out mentorship from seniors who were further along in their careers - it really helped me find my footing!
Topic 2
What's the biggest misconception freshers have about working in tech?
Ishita
Honestly, I think one of the biggest misconceptions freshers have is that coding is just about sitting in front of a computer all day. I know it sounds obvious, but trust me, I was guilty of this when I first started at Kactii! In reality, working in tech is so much more than that - it's about problem-solving, collaboration, and delivering tangible results.
Topic 2
What's the biggest misconception freshers have about working in tech?
Kamal
I totally get what Ishita's saying - I was guilty of that too when I first started at Kactii! I think another big misconception is that just because you're a good coder, you'll automatically be able to handle everything that comes your way. Newsflash: coding is just one part of the puzzle - it's about understanding how all those different pieces fit together to solve real-world problems.
Topic 2
What's the biggest misconception freshers have about working in tech?
Ishita
Totally agree with you, Kamal! I was so focused on just learning new skills and getting projects done that I forgot about the business side of things - understanding our customers' needs, marketing, sales... it's like, coding is just the foundation, right? At Kactii, we had these awesome case studies and group projects that forced us to think critically about how our tech solutions could impact real people's lives.
Topic 3
How did Kactii prepare you for the industry compared to college?
Ishita
Honestly, I was blown away by how hands-on Kactii was! I mean, in college, we spent so much time just reading about industry trends and theories - but when I joined Kactii, they threw us into real-world projects right off the bat. That's what really prepared me for the industry - not just learning about machine learning or algorithms, but actually building projects that could be applied to real problems. It was a total game-changer!
Topic 3
How did Kactii prepare you for the industry compared to college?
Kamal
I totally get what Ishita's saying! For me, it was similar - I spent years learning about concepts and theories in school, but it wasn't until I got hands-on experience at Kactii that I truly understood how to apply them. I mean, we were given real-world projects early on, which not only taught us problem-solving skills but also helped us build a portfolio of work that's actually relevant to the industry. It was game-changing for me too - I went from just knowing about ML algorithms to being able to implement them in a practical setting!
Topic 3
How did Kactii prepare you for the industry compared to college?
Ishita
Exactly! I feel like that's what sets Kactii apart from other programs – the fact that we're not just learning about concepts on paper, but actually applying them to real-world problems right away. It's crazy how much of a difference that makes in terms of retaining information and gaining practical skills. For me, it was especially valuable because I could see my projects being used in industry settings from day one, which really motivated me to learn and grow!
Topic 4
What does a typical day look like for you now in your current role?
Ishita
A typical day for me is all about balancing work, life, and the occasional coding session. I usually wake up early in LA, grab a coffee, and dive into my to-do list - which can range from meetings with clients to debugging code. What's cool about my role now is that I get to apply what I learned at Kactii to real-world projects, and it's amazing to see how those 2000+ hours of work paid off!
Topic 4
What does a typical day look like for you now in your current role?
Kamal
I totally get it, Ishita! I'm in the same boat - my days are always packed, but I love how Kactii taught me to prioritize and focus on delivering results. For me, a typical day involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, working on bug fixes, and implementing new features for our clients. It's amazing how those 2000+ hours of work at Kactii actually did pay off - I mean, who needs a fancy degree when you've got real-world experience to back it up?
Topic 4
What does a typical day look like for you now in your current role?
Ishita
Totally get what you mean, Kamal! I was in your shoes not so long ago - juggling college life with Kactii work and still managing to crush those projects. What really stood out for me was how Kactii helped me build a portfolio of real-world work that I could showcase to top universities, which ultimately led me to USC - it's amazing how hands-on experience can give you a competitive edge!
Topic 5
How do you stay motivated and keep learning after years in the industry?
Ishita
You know, I think one of the most important things that kept me motivated throughout my career was the fact that I got to work on real projects early on. At Kactii, we were given opportunities to dive into actual client work, which made all the difference in keeping me engaged and motivated. Even after completing my Master's degree, I still try to stay curious by taking online courses or attending industry events – it's amazing how much you can learn from others in the field when you're not stuck in a classroom!
Topic 5
How do you stay motivated and keep learning after years in the industry?
Kamal
I totally agree with Ishita - working on real projects early on was a game-changer for me too! Kactii really helped me get my foot in the door and exposed me to industry-grade work that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. Now, even after years of experience, I still try to stay motivated by setting new challenges for myself and taking on small side projects - it keeps me engaged and helps me stay curious about what's new and trending in the field!
Topic 5
How do you stay motivated and keep learning after years in the industry?
Ishita
Totally, right? I'm so glad we're on the same page! For me, it was super valuable to have those early experiences that made me realize what I wanted to specialize in, and then I could focus on really diving deep into that area - it's amazing how much more engaged you can stay when you know exactly where you want to go.
