He studied finance, pursued data science at IIT Madras and landed at Microsoft

From management and finance to data science, Rahul Kumawat has charted an unconventional career path. After clearing CFA Level 1 and pursuing a BS at IIT Madras, he has secured a one-year apprenticeship at Microsoft as a Business Strategy Analyst. He studied finance, pursued data science at IIT Madras and landed at Microsoft (LinkedIn/@Rahul Kumawat)New Delhi,Nov 5, 2026 10:59 ISTNot every career journey follows a straight line. Some begin in management classrooms, move through the worlds of finance and data science, and eventually lead to opportunities in the technology industry. Rahul Kumawat, an IIT Madras BS student, is one such example. After clearing CFA Level 1, he secured a one-year apprenticeship at Microsoft as a Business Strategy Analyst.Rahul's apprenticeship began in October 2026 in Microsoft's Sales Strategy Enablement division. The role brings together his interests in finance, business strategy and technology, marking an important milestone in his professional journey.For Rahul, this is more than an opportunity to work with a global technology company. It is a chance to explore how different academic disciplines can complement one another and open doors to career paths beyond conventional choices.FROM MANAGEMENT STUDIES TO FINANCE AND DATA SCIENCERahul began his academic journey at Mumbai's H R College of Commerce and Economics, where he pursued a Bachelor's degree in Management Studies between August 2023 and August 2026. While studying management, he enrolled in the BS programme in Data Science at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras in January 2024. He is currently at the diploma stage of the programme and is expected to complete his degree in 2028.Alongside his academic commitments, Rahul continued developing his interest in finance. He cleared the CFA Level 1 examination in May 2026, building a foundation in financial analysis, valuation and investment principles.His professional exposure also includes a four-month internship with Nua's finance team between June and September 2025. During this period, he contributed to financial analysis and process improvement, gaining an understanding of how businesses evaluate performance and streamline operations.He also served as Director of Finnacle Magazine from June 2025 to May 2026. Leading a 17-member team, he managed content and analytics strategy and helped grow its finance community to 1,300 members. His responsibilities included publishing finance case studies, market analysis and regulatory updates.These experiences gave him exposure to different aspects of business, from financial decision-making and data analysis to leadership and communication.'THE BIGGEST THING IIT MADRAS GAVE ME IS THE ABILITY TO ADAPT QUICKLY'While technical knowledge is an important part of his Data Science education, Rahul believes the ability to approach unfamiliar problems and adapt quickly has been among his biggest takeaways.Reflecting on his experience at IIT Madras, he said, "Honestly, the biggest thing IIT Madras gave me is the ability to adapt quickly."He also explained how the programme influenced his approach to problem-solving. "They taught me to see the larger picture of a problem first, and then work down to precise, accurate results instead of rough guesses," he said.This approach, he believes, is valuable beyond academic assignments. The ability to understand a problem in its entirety before examining the finer details is relevant to business strategy, financial analysis and data-driven decision-making.His current apprenticeship at Microsoft gives him an opportunity to explore these skills in a professional setting, particularly in an area where business understanding and analytical thinking come together.FROM BUSINESS CLASSROOMS TO TECHNOLOGY CAREERSRahul's career interests extend beyond a conventional finance or management role. He is particularly interested in understanding how businesses allocate resources, evaluate opportunities and drive growth through better strategy and analytical thinking.His combination of management education, CFA Level 1 qualification and Data Science training reflects this ambition.Rather than treating finance and technology as separate career paths, Rahul is exploring how the two can work together. His experience at Nua, leadership responsibilities at Finnacle Magazine and current apprenticeship at Microsoft have provided exposure to different dimensions of business and decision-making.From management studies at H R College to pursuing Data Science at IIT Madras, clearing CFA Level 1 and beginning an apprenticeship at Microsoft, Rahul Kumawat's journey reflects the importance of continuous learning.His story is a reminder that students do not have to remain confined to the career path suggested by their first degree. Sometimes, stepping beyond familiar disciplines and building skills across different fields can create opportunities that a conventional route may not offer.- Ends