KPMG — Data Analyst

Name: Shuvam Adhikary

1. Which company have been placed in and what’s your job description?

>> The company that I have been placed in is KPMG and my job profile is of a data analyst. In data analysis, basically we have to collect, clean and interpret data sets to answer a question or solve a problem. These data sets are provided by the companies that are our clients and we recommend them proper future steps for their business growth and development. We use various technologies to do that such as Excel, SQL, Tableau, R and Python, etc.

2. What are the internships that you have done during your college life?

>> In the second year of my college, I got an internship offer from IIT Kharagpur in the domain of Applied Control Systems. It was a 2-month research internship, but I couldn’t go for it because of covid and lockdown. In the third year, I was offered an internship at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. It was in the domain of Reconfigurable Hardware Design for Signal Processing Application, where I was provided with some raw ultra-sonic scans, on which I experimented so that flaws could be minimized in the scans and produce the best output. Because of covid, it was work from home.

3. Is it necessary to do internships for getting a good placement?

>> Well, Yes and No. Yes, because if you are having an internship in your resume, you have an edge over other candidates, you will have something to speak about. If the interviewer is dragging you towards topics that you don’t have knowledge about, you can instead drag them towards your internships and project experience to impress them. And no because even if you don’t have internships, it doesn’t mean that the interviewer will point this out. All that matters is how much knowledge and skills you have acquired during the 4 years of your engineering. If you have good knowledge and skills, and you can present it in the interview, you will definitely be recruited.

4. How was the recruitment process of your company?

>> The recruitment process of KPMG was divided into 3 stages:

The 1st one was a general round like other companies, with some aptitude, English, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, and data interpretation questions.

The 2nd round was an interview round, mostly technical. In the interview, they asked me what I have learned throughout my 4 years of engineering course, from every domain be it core or software. I was mostly asked about ML and python programming.

The 3rd round was HR interview. I was asked questions like, have you faced any problems and difficulties in the past and how did you handle them. They also asked some technical questions, what were my projects, what were my internships. They asked me about my internship in a very detailed fashion, what all I did, and how I managed everything.

5. Can you give some tips to successfully give an interview?

>> I must say, that having good conversation skills is definitely beneficial. You should be fluent while you speak and present your thoughts clearly. It must always be 2-way communication otherwise you won’t be able to explain yourself fully. Also, as I said before you need to drag the interviewer towards your strength, keep them as much captivated that there is no margin of error. Keep their focus towards you projects and achievements.

6. Did you used to do CP and DSA? And was it asked in the interview?

>> Yes, in college I used to do CP and DSA and in the interview, it was also asked if I had any experience of CP and DSA. Even though questions related to CP or DSA weren’t asked. I must say CP and DSA are definitely necessary for cracking interviews of any kind of Tech Company.

7. From when did you start preparing for interviews and placements?

>> I was actually preparing for core electronics companies. But during my 1st and 2nd year, I was strongly inclined towards CP and Web Development. I also did some python projects. I took some offline courses in python and C++ also, because, when I first came to college, I didn’t have any knowledge about programming. And then I developed interest in CP. I gained good coding skills.

But I was more inclined towards semiconductor industry. So, I was also preparing for the core companies. I started preparing seriously for the core companies from my 6th semester.

8. Were you a part of any clubs and societies? How did they help you?

>> I was a part of many clubs throughout my engineering, but eventually, I quit many of them due to pressure from academics. I first joined the Firebolt racing club, but quit after certain months. I had also joined Team Aveon, which again I quit due to the work load. In the first year, I also joined EEESoc, and it was my best decision and I am still in connection with this club. It really helped me with my personal development and learning. I was also a part of IETE and IEEE, and that helped me too.

9. How much CP and DSA knowledge should one have? If rated on the basis of CodeForces ratings, what level one must achieve in order to crack interviews of good companies?

>> Irrespective of whatever platform you are practicing on, you should have as much knowledge as you can call yourself an intermediate, neither a beginner nor a master. Have the basic knowledge of all data structures and all the algorithms.

If you want to go into software giant companies, then start as early as possible. And keep grinding every day; solve as many questions as possible.

But if you are more inclined towards core companies, and simultaneously you are improving your software skills, even then do CP and DSA regularly, and have a good knowledge of the fundamentals.

But if you are purely into core companies and semi-conductor based companies, then doing CP DSA is wastage of time, focus all your energy and time on the core topics. Because giving those interviews is quite tough.

10. What are the technical skills that are important for EEE graduates?

>> For placement in core companies, one must be proficient in Verilog, System Verilog, Analog, Digital and CMOS Digital Electronics, Embedded Systems. For companies like KPMG, one must have an overall knowledge of everything. Proficiency in a few languages like C, C++, Python and a regular grind of CP is a must. It is always better to have a diverse repertoire.

11.What message would you give to the first and second year UGs on effectively using their time and maintaining their academic as well as social life especially during this covid time?

>> I would suggest the first and second year students to give equal importance to their academics and their social life. The first two years are the learning and exploration phase of the college life which must be utilised constructively. And for the constructive utilisation of time, one must understand the subtle difference between ‘serious’ and ‘sincere’. GPA is important. One of the best things that happen to you in your college life is ‘your friends’ and God was quite generous to me on that part for which I am very grateful. More importantly, enjoy your college life.