In an insightful discussion that blends ambition with grounded thinking, we had the opportunity to talk to Rahul Sihag — a student of Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology (GJUST), Hisar — click here who is carving a path for himself in the field of business analysis and data science.

Early Life and Background

Rahul hails from Sisai, a village near Hansi in Haryana. Coming from a hardworking farming family, Rahul’s journey is not just about academic excellence but also about turning challenges into motivation. He often mentions inspiration from leaders like Chaudhary Chhotu Ram and Tau Devi Lal, who have been champions of rural empowerment and social progress.

What makes Rahul stand out is not just where he comes from, but where he’s heading — using data, logic, and structured problem solving to bridge the gap between information and impactful decisions.

Education and Skills

Currently pursuing his Master’s in Computer Science (AI & Data Science) at GJUST, Rahul has immersed himself in both the theoretical and applied aspects of analytics. From mastering Excel, Power BI, SQL, and Python, to working on real-life case studies, his learning curve reflects a deep curiosity.

But skills alone don’t define a Business Analyst. It’s his ability to ask the right questions, empathize with users, and align business goals with technical solutions that sets Rahul apart.

When asked about his favorite tools, Rahul shares:

“It’s not always about the most advanced software — sometimes a clean Excel model or a sharp visualization in Power BI can explain more than pages of documentation.”

Internships and Real-World Experience

Rahul has worked on various academic projects, and recently interned as a junior Business Analyst with a mid-sized digital consultancy. There, he was involved in requirements gathering, user feedback analysis, and suggesting process improvements for internal CRM systems. His work received positive feedback from mentors for its clarity, structure, and practical applicability.

He has also participated in campus hackathons and national-level case study competitions. In one of them — a startup case challenge — his team’s analysis of Lenskart’s business model earned recognition for being both strategic and data-backed.

Rahul’s Approach to Business Analysis

“Understanding business problems isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions, gathering real data, and communicating clearly across teams,” says Rahul.

He believes in a ‘people-first’ approach to analytics — where technology supports human decisions instead of replacing them. Whether it’s mapping user journeys, breaking down KPIs, or cleaning messy data, he emphasizes clarity and purpose over complexity.

Passion Projects and Side Learning

Rahul has also taught himself web development and built small websites to support university clubs and student initiatives. These include issue-reporting forms for students, feedback portals, and event microsites.

One such initiative allows students to anonymously share campus-related concerns which are then categorized and visualized for better transparency — a perfect blend of tech and impact.

Advice to Fellow Students

When asked what advice he’d give to students starting out in business analysis, Rahul was clear:

“Don’t chase buzzwords. Focus on how businesses actually work — costs, processes, customers, and value