Breaking into business analytics
November 13, 2024
Data is the driving force behind all well-informed business decisions. As a result, there has always been a high demand for professionals with the skills necessary to organize and extract meaningful insights from data.
However, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) over the past few years has made the role of data experts more important than ever. As AI becomes increasingly incorporated into the workplace, businesses across all industries are looking for professionals who not only have top-notch analytical skills, but also have a working knowledge of natural language processing and machine learning techniques.
While many entry-level data science and analyst positions only require a bachelor’s degree in a related field, a master’s degree can help you stand out in today’s highly competitive job market. Although it may be tempting to pursue an advanced degree in statistics or computer science, if you’re looking for a program that apply your analytical and computational skills to real-world problems, an MS in Business Analytics may be the better fit.
Why study business analytics?
Business analytics involves using statistical modeling and data analysis to make well-informed decisions about finances, marketing, operations and more. Business analysts use their computational and analytical skills to identify potential risks, predict future trends and design data-driven solutions to a wide variety of business problems.
Unlike master’s programs in statistics or computer science — which often place a heavy focus on theory — the MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) at Brandeis Online offers a more practical and applied approach, featuring courses that prioritize analyzing and interpreting data about markets and customers. Students gain experience using computational tools to resolve problems related to pricing, target market selection and more.
Of course, the umbrella of “business” encompasses a number of fields — each with its own unique need for data experts. Individuals with a background in business analytics are prepared to succeed in the areas of marketing, finance, healthcare, sports management and more. Brandeis Online’s MSBA even offers students the opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of each of these fields, thus equipping them with unique subject-matter knowledge in their desired field.
It is due to this subject-matter knowledge that business analysts are in especially high demand. Organizations in all industries are looking for data science professionals to help them make data-driven decisions that will lead them into the future. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job growth rate for analysts in marketing, finance, management and operations is much faster than the national average, expected to increase between 8 and 23% in the next nine years.
Why study with Brandeis Online?
The MSBA may be one of Brandeis Online’s newest programs, but its foundation is firmly rooted in decades of experience and expertise. Brandeis Online has been delivering online learning experiences for more than a decade, and our collaborators at the Brandeis International Business School have been training students to succeed in the business world for thirty years.
Unlike most MSBA programs — which pull courses from a variety of different departments — all classes for Brandeis Online’s MSBA have been created by business analytics experts for business analytics students. The newness of our program reflects the industry’s growth and the fresh, innovative coursework we hope to provide students — so you can be sure that you’ll leave with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in a variety of analyst roles.
With our 100% online, asynchronous learning format, Brandeis Online’s MSBA also offers unparalleled flexibility to working professionals who wish to further their education without sacrificing professional or personal responsibilities. In fact, our part-time program has been specifically designed for individuals who plan to work full-time throughout the course of their degree. The virtual nature of our program also means that you’ll learn alongside peers from all over the country and the world, gaining valuable insight from people with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences.
Whether you’re an analyst looking to grow in your current position or a data-minded individual looking to switch to a more fulfilling career, an MSBA at Brandeis Online may be the best way to achieve your goals.
To learn more about the MSBA and other Brandeis Online programs, please visit our website.