By Jess Clarke
When Jenkins MBA student Jessica Rosera works in finance in the healthcare field, deciding on the best way to aggregate large amounts of data is difficult.
And one of his first takes in his new role as director of finance at George Mason University? Data will not be lost.
Nor was his goal to gain a solid understanding of data analytics. He did that in the Jenkins MBA Business Analytics certificate program. “It’s good to know how to communicate with people who have more background in data analytics than I do and know how to translate that to bridge finance and data to work together,” Rosera said.
The program offers classes on the core concepts of analytics with the use and modeling of big data, so that students can help improve processes and profitability for their organization.
The certificate addresses a growing, widespread need in the workplace.
“Senior executives say they need people who understand analytics and can build models to solve problems. They need people who both understand how to run a business and how to use of data to make more informed decisions,” said Poole professor Donnie Hale, who directs the certificate program.
Rosera used what she learned in the program to make smart decisions at George Mason. “Since I’m in the certificate program, I understand better how to use data and streamline our processes,” said Rosera, also a student in the Jenkins Professional Online MBA program.
One of the distinguishing features of the certificate program is the practicum, where students use data to answer questions faced by real businesses.
Jamila Belk’s practicum team worked with a large company to apply data-driven decision making at a strategic level. That includes analyzing new verticals “and trying to determine where else they can successfully pivot or if there are companies they should acquire,” he said.
In the real-world application of their classroom skills, certificate students work with various businesses to study product demand, identify sales and marketing opportunities, create dashboards to promote the performance, size and evaluation of markets, and other tasks.
Belk, a financial analyst at Duke University, hopes the certificate program will help him strategize as his department integrates with another unit on campus. “We have to predict and figure out how to pivot in the future,” said Belk, who is also an online Jenkins MBA student. “Being in this program and working with a team to collect and analyze data was very eye-opening.”
The students of the certificate mention that JMP, Tableau, Excel and other tools are very valuable, where they gain programming skills and use them in their jobs.
We often hear from employers that employees who take our graduate certificate are ready to hit the ground running in their careers.
“We often hear from employers that employees who take our graduate certificate are ready to hit the ground running in their careers. Our program and students are imbued with NC State’s Think and Do attitude, which is about applying the skills they learn to solve complex problems,” said Bill Rand, McLauchlan Distinguished Professor of Marketing, and executive director. in the Business Analytics Initiative located at Poole College.
Some students pursue the graduate business analytics certificate as a stand-alone credential.
Matt Mallard is a supply chain and logistics area director for Volvo Group in Greensboro. “There are so many new technologies and tools that from a leadership perspective, I need to have more technical skills that will help me see the future better,” he said.
There are so many new technologies and tools that from a leadership perspective, I need to have more technical skills that will help me see the future better.
The future is now. What Mallard learned in the program was useful on the job. “There are some projects that I have helped to support where the knowledge that I have learned in this class has helped me better understand what they are doing,” he said.
Mallard chose the business analytics certificate because the time commitment fit her schedule. “It’s not a full master’s program, but it’s more in-depth than if you do something for a week,” he said.
And for some managers like him who aren’t just starting a career, the certificate can give them the ultimate job preparation after graduation. “I think for people in the same role as me,” he said, “it’s what allows us to be successful for the rest of our careers.”
That might include Rosera.
He credits the certificate and MBA programs with helping him land his position at George Mason last year. Regarding the certificate, “My current boss is very excited about my background because this is what George Mason needs to focus more on, data and improving our systems,” he said.
And as Rosera looks to advance to an executive position in the future, her analytical skills will help her get there. “I don’t want to focus entirely on finance as I progress,” he said. “In those roles, you need to have a broader background and be more versatile.”
