Rahul Kumawat chooses unconventional career path despite Microsoft offer

Rahul Kumawat, a student of the BS programme at IIT Madras, has secured a one-year apprenticeship at Microsoft, where he will serve as a Business Strategy Analyst. Instead of following a traditional path, the IIT Madras student has chosen to build his career in the fields of finance and technology. According to reports, Rahul's apprenticeship began in October 2026 in Microsoft's Sales Strategy Enablement division. In this role, he will have the opportunity to learn tasks related to finance, business strategy, and technology.

For Rahul, this is not merely an opportunity to work at a major tech company, but a chance to put into practice what he has learned across different domains. His journey demonstrates that a career in the technology sector can be built after studying subjects such as finance and data science. Rahul's academic journey began at HR College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Management Studies between August 2023 and August 2026. During his management studies, he gained admission to 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 this programme and is expected to complete his degree in 2028.

Alongside his studies, Rahul maintained a keen interest in finance. He passed the CFA Level 1 exam in May 2026, which strengthened his foundation in financial analysis, valuation, and investment principles. His professional experience also includes a four-month internship with the finance team at Nuua between June and September 2025. During this period, he contributed to financial analysis and process improvement, which helped him understand how to evaluate business performance and streamline operations.

Rahul's experience is not limited to internships. From June 2025 to May 2026, he also served as the Director of Finecal Magazine. While leading a team of 17 members, he managed content and analytics strategy and helped grow the finance community to 1,300 members. His responsibilities included publishing finance case studies, market analysis, and regulatory updates. Through these experiences, he gained exposure to various aspects of business, such as financial decision-making, data analysis, leadership, and communication skills.

Along with technical knowledge, Rahul believes that his ability to quickly understand unfamiliar problems and adapt is his greatest advantage. Speaking about his experience at IIT Madras, he stated, "To be honest, the biggest thing IIT Madras has given me is the ability to adapt quickly." He further added that the programme has influenced his approach to problem-solving. He noted that the programme taught him to first look at the big picture of a problem and then reach an accurate result rather than relying on guesswork.

According to Rahul, this approach is not limited to academic assignments but is essential for business strategy, financial analysis, and making data-driven decisions. His current apprenticeship at Microsoft provides him an opportunity to test these skills in a field where business understanding and analytical thinking converge. Rahul's interest differs from general finance or management roles; he is specifically interested in understanding how businesses allocate resources, identify opportunities, and grow through better strategy and analytical thinking.

IIT Madras is a leading technological institution in India, known for its high academic standards and research. It is one of the premier engineering institutions in South India.