“It’s just 7:00 in the morning,” I murmured as a sharp sound echoed through the crisp winter air. The biting cold engulfed me, but the day demanded my attention. I had to wake up and get dressed quickly, as I had been selected as a Data Scientist intern at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. After a grueling round of interviews and a thorough evaluation, Dr. Manmeet Singh selected me as his list’s sole high school student. I decided to make the most of my opportunity by demonstrating my abilities even as I absorbed all the information from this experience. I realized the experience required more than skill display because it demanded me to explore new weeds along with continuous personal development through each stride. I understood that this experience would provide meaningful learning opportunities beyond the assignments to the interpersonal interactions and day-to-day process dynamics. The experience taught me practical programming language applications for the first time.
When I entered the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology on my first day, I experienced a blend of feelings, including fear and enthusiasm. Of course, traversing through the crowded Delhi metro was just the first step I had to take! The early morning December chills couldn’t match the weight of what lay ahead—I was stepping into a space filled with experienced scientists, the only high schooler among them. It was a scary yet proud moment for me at the same time. I had spent weeks preparing for this, going through interviews and evaluations, but nothing compared to being there. As I met my mentor, Dr. Manmeet Singh, Scientist Rank-D, and the rest of the team, I realized this wasn’t just about working on a project. The work demanded intense dedication, and I couldn’t risk not meeting their expectations, which made me the individual I am today.
My time at the institute was more than mere technical tasks; it was a deep dive into collaboration. Working with scientists with years of expertise was both humbling and invigorating. I worked on a project that predicted India’s weather patterns using the VOLMIP CMIP-6 model. This research could significantly benefit farmers by forecasting the optimal crop types to sow, particularly under the influence of the El-Niño Southern Oscillation. As the team debated approaches, I suggested reorganizing the dataset into seasonal clusters, focusing on pre-monsoon variability. Dr. Manmeet, though polite, believed it was redundant, but I spent the next few hours running a comparative analysis between the standard method and my proposed categorization. The results revealed a sharper correlation and an improved predictive accuracy. Dr. Manmeet adopted my approach and acknowledged the value of fresh perspectives—even from someone without a degree.
I am smitten by the caliber of the brilliant scientists at IITM—this being my first internship, their intellect and finesse have left me in awe. The team of scientists I worked with inspired me on what I want my future to behold! Every dataset I analyzed, every discussion I had, and every challenge I faced has shaped a new lens through which I now see science—with more depth and an appreciation for the sheer brilliance of discovery and research. Have a chance to view my experiences and tour the state-of-the-art laboratory I worked in!
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