Author: dilipmerala

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Grasping at Straws

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As I am all set to enter the final semester of my Masters degree, I am feeling extremely anxious. While most people are concerned about finding a full-time job in a state or company of their preference, for me that thought is still miles away. My immediate concern is how much I know as a data engineer/analyst. 18 months ago, I made the switch from product manager/actor/writer to Business Analytics student. The goal was to become proficient in the concepts of data mining and analysis, since it was a promising sector and the whole world seemed to be moving in a direction where every industry heavily relies on data science. Now, as I get closer to my graduation date, I keep questioning the extent of my knowledge. And to my disappointment, I keep coming across questions I do not know the answer to.

I need to fix this situation and quickly. I have 117 days to go until my graduation date (May 8, 2020). So, I am taking a start from scratch approach for now. The idea is to revise everything I have learnt at UTD as part of my course, followed by a couple of online courses and certifications. This includes the basics of statistics (p-value, hypothesis testing), database foundations, SQL, NoSQL, mining concepts like principal component analysis, regression techniques, clustering, time series, big data – Hadoop, Spark, Hive, language basics in Python and R, and data visualization techniques.

To devise a plan for this, I am contacting some students I look up to and asking for their advise on the best approach to ensure maximum retention. I am also hoping to audit some classes this final semester. I have just one class left to fulfill my graduation requirements but there is so much more I wish to learn. Natural Language Processing, Applied Machine Learning and Business Data Warehousing are my top picks. I have written to the professors asking for their permission to let me sit in on their lectures.

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Finally, this will also be my last semester as the president of Travelytics – a club I conceived and founded with the help of some of my friends. After one final project presentation (Computer Vision with Python, OpenCV and Raspberry Pi), it will be time to hand over the reins of this organization to the next batch of students.

117 days to go. Time for a final sprint!

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Dallas Diaries Video For My Folks

I am studying Information Technology and Management in The University of Texas at Dallas since August 2018. After spending 18 months in Dallas, I returned to Mumbai this December for a short winter break. I wanted to do my best to give my parents and my grandmother a glimpse of my life in at the university. This was difficult as I do not click a lot of pictures. I had, however, captured some videos every now and then. So, I put them together in this video just so that I can give my folks a sneak peek into life in and around Richardson.

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Fall Internship, Certifications and The Roadway to Graduation

After 6 months at my first job in the United States, I decided to move on and pursue other avenues. I have several exciting academic projects and certifications lined up over the next few months. My facial recognition robot using Raspberry Pi, Python and OpenCV is almost done. I am preparing to appear for PMP and Cloudera Hadoop certification exams in January 2020, followed by AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam in February 2020. As I get closer to my graduation date (May 2020), I am raring to join the workforce and get my hands dirty solving some real world problems. My iCode internship has given me the push I needed to relaunch my technical career. I have summed up my Fall internship experience at iCode in this LinkedIn post.

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The Way She Says Hello

It is probably one of the most commonly-used words of the English language. But when this girl at Starbucks @ Custer&Renner says “Hello“, she instantly stands out! What is it that she does differently that makes you feel welcome, safe, at ease right away? It’s not so much her sweet voice as it is the sincerity behind it.

On one hand, her Hello sounds cute, innocent and charming (almost child-like) and on the other, it’s professional and courteous enough to not make you feel patronized. She makes you feel that no matter how bad your day was or how many challenges lie ahead of you, you can forget about it for now and just enjoy your coffee. Her Hello is the sound of reassurance, of kindness, of earnestness.

Yes, it’s part of her job to say Hello to everyone. But the impact she makes on hundreds of strangers with that one, simple word is testimony to the fact that she is doing something special. For me, this is a great lesson in customer service, in brand management and also in just being a positive energy for people around me. Well done hiring this kid, Starbucks!

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UTD Mercury Goes Behind The Scenes of The Rocky Horror Show

For the past two months, I have been part of an incredible experience. I was fortunate enough to get cast in my first musical – The Rocky Horror Show. Everything from the audition process to the rehearsal to the final performances was surreal. For all of us involved, this journey has made its mark as one of the most memorable experiences of our lives. Would you believe if I told you that we had 7 SOLD-OUT SHOWS?! There were long queues every night and many people had to return disappointed (sorry about that!). I wish to write about my whole experience in more detail soon but for now, I’ll leave you with a “Behind the Scenes” video that UTD Mercury created for us. It also features me in a small interview where I express how I am in awe of my fellow Transylvanians!

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Travelytics presents BIG DATA IN TRAVEL with Dr. Rick Seaney

When we kicked off our first Travelytics event in 2018, Prof. Kevin Short at UTD was kind enough to grace us with his presence and speak on the use of data in the airline industry. And now, thanks to him, we have a travel domain stalwart visiting UTD and conducting a special lecture for Travelytics. The topic is an exciting one – BIG DATA in the TRAVEL INDUSTRY. We look forward to an exciting session with Dr. Seaney and a bunch of enthusiastic data science students.

Dr. Rick Seaney - Big Data in Travel

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UTD Theatre’s Julius Caesar – An Ode to The Cast and Crew

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I can’t express how I feel without sounding like crap..
So I’m going to say it all in the disguise of Rap!

Wears cool t-shirts and also speaks nerd..
When Ally walks in, things start moving forward.

I don’t know how he manages to keep it all in place..
But if it weren’t for Mason, this would be a lost race!

Want to hear Sci-Fi fantasies in a deep, powerful voice?
Ask Hayden what he’d do for his girl, given a choice!

With all her cool ideas and funky attitude,
Lau will lift your spirits up, set the right mood!

If I ever wanted another accent, it would be his..
Coz if I could talk like Benjamin, I’d never hit and miss!

This chess player always makes you feel so special..
With his soothing words and gestures, Zura is just magical

Women are enchanted and go weak in their knees,
When Jake performs his acrobatics with nonchalance and ease!

In a strange and new world, it’s easy to feel at home..
When friendly guys like Kelton explain the history of Rome!

Dresses like a star and always speaks so well..
If I had half of Ricky’s talents, life would be swell!

He often sits by himself, looks very quiet and busy..
But I’ll never forget the moment Dante said, “Fight me, pussy”!

Every evening, without fail, he gets into his zone..
Eric is the rockstar with a very funny bone!

She plays the violin, features in super funny memes..
Michelle is that adorable girl from your dreams!

Teaches me names of food, no knowledge does she lack..
Meghan knows EACH AND EVERY life hack!

She says all the hep words, they all sound legit..
I had never heard of “skedaddle” till Cassie used it!

Her calm voice and pleasant talks make you want to hear more..
Emma is that person, that lovely girl next door!

I just love it when she giggles, I’m glad we got along..
A breath of fresh air, McKinley is a happy song!

Her beautiful eyes light up, showing you her gentle soul..
Alex leaves you in splits, for she is always on a roll!

Sometimes things get boring, and everything seems dead..
And suddenly there is laughter, coz of something Allan said!

With oodles of talent and so much dedication..
O Melinda, you should be called the pride of this nation!
Every time I see you, I see a dear friend..
I’ll cherish your Shakespeare cap till the very end!

The only morning person in the lot I guess..
She is funny, cute and chirpy, when the rest are a mess!
Excellent at yoga but not good at being rude..
Don’t make it bad, just sing “Hey Jude!”

Beautiful and smart and hilarious and lame,
She speaks at a pace that can put a rocket to shame!
She’ll dance into your heart, without making a sound..
You’ll never feel blue as long as Sam is around!

She is a cat person but calls her cat a bitch..
When kitty needs a corner, she can seldom make the switch!
Her laughter makes you feel the world’s awesome after all..
Raquel is like the heartwarming colors of Fall!

All the fun warm-ups and every catchy song..
And every social outing, without her would just go wrong!
Watching her play Caesar has been such a treat..
And Osi as a person is so cute and sweet!

You can’t die of hunger if you have a snack..
You don’t take a train that’s not on track..
You won’t place a hat on a damn shoe rack..
And you aren’t born cool, unless you are Zach!

Her warmth is what good things in the world are all about..
Her charm can make even the grumpiest people pout!
When days seem dark and every moment dull,
All you really need is a dose of Ravishing Rachel!

Last, though not last in love, is the boss I can’t thank enough..
She seems to me as sweet, as she seems to be tough!
I adore her smile, and her stare gives me fever..
But please know, Shelby, I am grateful forever!

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The Walk to Starbucks

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It takes me 45 seconds to walk from my apartment to the nearest Starbucks outlet. This morning during the walk, I noticed –

the clear blue sky
the pleasant weather
green trees flanking the walkway
two butterflies flying right past me
birds chirping in harmony
a beautiful woman walking across the street (she may have even smiled at me)

I realized you don’t really have to make big travel plans for these little things. They are all around you and all you have to do is pay attention 🙂

Happy Sunday!

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Coming Soon: My First Musical

Just when I thought my life as an actor was over, the universe conspired to send me some artistic angels. I have been working with them for a year or so now and I cannot believe my luck. I am honoured, delighted and grateful to be in the presence of these bright young minds and beautiful souls who welcomed me to their theatre group and revived the actor in me.

And now, after working on two plays in the last two semesters, I have embarked upon a new journey this Fall – my first musical! Coming soon : The Rocky Horror Show

Venue: UTD Theatre
Dates: Oct 31 – Nov 2, Nov 7-9
Time: 8 pm (plus special midnight show on Nov 9)
Tickets here

D.

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My First Job in The United States

So, amidst all the chaos of studies, cultural events, theatre, travel and Netflix, I landed an internship in summer 2019 at an impressive company iCode. As it happens, this is my first job in The United States and I am having quite an enriching experience. I have tried spell it out in this LinkedIn post and article. Check it out: