The Dark Reality of online classes in Data Science : Part 1

Today, I had a conversation with one of my students.
Here is the refined version of our discussion. It reveals a dark reality about the edtech industry. Please go through it. I'll be continuing this series to raise awareness among Data Science learners. Our mission is to aware everyone who is taking any online courses.

Student: Sir, you mentioned that you’re doing well in your career as a Staff Data Scientist. So, why start your own platform?

Ajay: That's a great question!
I’ve been involved in designing and teaching courses for various online edtech platforms (check my LinkedIn for more details: Ajay Kumar Gupta on LinkedIn). Some of these platforms charge fees ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹4 lakhs. My goal with CareerCraft is to ensure students don’t have to pay such high fees for quality education.

Student: But why do students pay such high amounts?

Ajay: Many students are eager to break into the industry and feel pressured to support their families.
If a platform promises job guarantees, students are willing to pay large sums without fully understanding the reality. Sadly, after the course, they often realize there’s no real guarantee. In fact, one platform clarified to a student that they offer "job assurance," not a "job guarantee."

Student: Really? That sounds discouraging.

Ajay: The truth is, no platform can genuinely guarantee 100% placement.
Placements depend on multiple factors—teaching quality, the syllabus, industry demand, and most importantly, the skills of the student.

Student: But some platforms advertise 100% placement rates.

Ajay: Exactly. But think about it logically.
If a batch has 1,000 students paying ₹1 lakh each, that’s ₹10 crores in revenue. Even if the platform partners with small companies or hiring agencies and allocates ₹10k per student for 100 students, that’s just ₹1 crore. Many of these 100 may not last beyond the probation period. Meanwhile, the remaining 900 students are often told they need to improve their skills or retake assignments. The platform profits, but most students feel cheated. They’ll advertise 100% placements for ‘eligible’ students, but in reality, only a small fraction get that opportunity.

Student: I had no idea. But at least some students get placed. Maybe I could be one of them.

Ajay: Yes, you could be.
But you could also be one of the 900 who don’t get placed despite paying high fees. The actual placement numbers are very low—sometimes as few as 20 to 30 out of 1,000. There are many hidden truths behind these platforms and their highly celebrated educators.

Student: Can you share more of these hidden truths?

Ajay: Instead of focusing on the negative, focus on building your skills.
If you have the right skills, you won’t need anyone’s help to get placed. That’s the mission of CareerCraft—offering the skills that matter, without the financial burden.

For more information, visit: www.careercraftpro.com.