From UCG to Real-World Impact: Alumna Dhriti Arjun on Tackling Sustainability with Data Science

In this interview, Dhriti Arjun reflects on her unique academic path, which integrated programming, data science, and psychology, and shares her eagerness to tackle real-world challenges, particularly in sustainable fashion. She also discusses her time at UCG, her valuable internship experience at Fractal, and the lessons she learned along the way.

As part of your UCG major, what courses did you take, and how did they shape your academic path?

During my time at UCG, I took a combination of programming, data science, and psychology courses. I focused on Machine Learning, Python, Advanced Programming, Big Data, and Computational Methods, which deepened my understanding of computer science topics. On the psychology side, I studied Cognitive Psychology, Biopsychology, Human Error, and Philosophy of Mind to explore how human cognition works. This blend was important because many machine learning methods are based on teaching machines to learn in ways that mirror human learning processes. The psychology courses provided me with a foundational understanding of the algorithms used in machine learning.

What were your career goals as a student?

After completing these courses, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to apply these skills in an industrial context. So, I decided to do an internship as part of my UCG core in my third year. I worked with a multinational company called Fractal, which focuses on data analytics and AI. I joined a small team of researchers who were using psychology and neuroscience in decision-making to help client companies optimize marketing campaigns. When I was on board, they were experimenting with generative AI to enhance design choices, which sparked my interest in understanding the psychology of marketing and consumer psychology.

What impact did your internship have on your career interests, and how did it shape your future goals?

My internship experience led me to explore how marketing could be combined with machine learning, especially in the context of fashion trends, a personal interest of mine. I noticed that fashion trends are rapidly changing, with shorter lifespans, and I realized that nobody had really thought about trend forecasting using AI and Machine Learning to optimize it. The core issue I wanted to address was overproduction and the resulting pollution in the fashion industry. I wanted to create a hypothetical model that could predict the rise and fall of fashion trends to help accurately determine production needs. Though challenging at first, I received a lot of support from my supervisor and teachers at UCG, which allowed me to create a comprehensive end-to-end model. I’m now returning to Fractal to continue my research internship. 

Looking back, how do you feel about the path you chose, and would you recommend it to others?

I’m really glad I chose this specialization because it offers a wide range of future opportunities. Whether I decide to continue in programming, data science, AI, or marketing, my background in AI and psychology gives me a strong foundation. I highly recommend this path to other students because it opens doors to various industries and career paths, especially in fields that are evolving as quickly as AI and marketing.

Connect with Dhriti Arjun on LinkedIn