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When experienced professionals consider transitioning into artificial intelligence, they often have questions like:
Can professionals from non-AI backgrounds build a career in AI?
Is an AI and ML program useful for working professionals?
Can online learning help make a career transition into AI?
What kind of practical experience is needed to move into an AI role?
For Dr. Balamonica Kalyanasundaram, these questions became part of her own career journey.
With an academic and professional background in civil engineering, computational mechanics, and applied research, Balamonica had spent years working with technologies such as Python and MATLAB. However, her interest in artificial intelligence gradually grew as she began exploring how AI could extend beyond research and create new possibilities across industries.
Her transition into AI was not something she had originally planned.
After completing her PhD in Soil Dynamics from the National University of Singapore and gaining research experience in Singapore and Switzerland, she decided to formally build her knowledge of AI and machine learning.
While balancing a full-time career and family responsibilities, she explored online learning options and eventually enrolled in the AI and ML Program from Simplilearn.
What stood out to her was the combination of structured learning, live instructor-led sessions, practical projects, and collaborative discussions.
The program helped her move beyond theoretical understanding and gain exposure to areas including machine learning, data science workflows, AI agents, and the end-to-end process involved in developing AI solutions.
More importantly, the hands-on projects helped Balamonica build a portfolio that gave her the confidence to pursue AI-focused opportunities.
Her learning journey helped her:
✔ Expand her expertise beyond civil engineering and computational research
✔ Develop a stronger understanding of AI and machine learning applications
✔ Gain practical exposure through projects and collaborative learning
✔ Build confidence to pursue AI-focused career opportunities
✔ Understand how data science and AI workflows connect in real-world applications
Today, Balamonica works as an AI Engineer at Zaheen Systems in Singapore, where she contributes to the development of core AI products.
For her, the program represented more than an additional credential. It provided the structured knowledge, practical exposure, and confidence needed to explore an entirely new professional direction.
Her story demonstrates that a career in AI does not necessarily have to begin with a traditional software development background. Existing technical expertise, combined with continuous learning and the willingness to explore new technologies, can create opportunities to move into emerging fields.
For professionals considering a similar transition, Balamonica’s experience highlights the value of choosing a learning path that fits around professional and personal responsibilities while providing opportunities to apply concepts through practical work.
Individual career outcomes vary based on prior experience, skills, effort, market conditions, and other factors.
About Simplilearn:
A Blackstone portfolio company, Simplilearn is a global leader in digital skills training, empowering learners worldwide with the skills needed to thrive in today’s digital economy.
Founded in 2010, Simplilearn offers industry-relevant programs developed in collaboration with leading universities, corporations, and industry bodies. Its learning experience combines expert-led live online classes with practical, career-focused learning.
Our programs are delivered in collaboration with the executive and professional education departments of globally recognized premier institutions, including Virginia Tech, Michigan Engineering, UC San Diego, Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, UC Santa Barbara, Carnegie Mellon University, Duke University, and many more.
In addition to its academic partnerships, Simplilearn collaborates with leading global technology companies such as IBM, Microsoft, and Google, bringing industry expertise and cutting-edge skills to learners around the world.