Students describe how Master’s gave them the skills to move into data analytics sector

Phuong-Hoa Giang worked as Senior Executive at Nielsen, focusing on market research and insight, before starting MSc Business Analytics at Imperial in 2015. Since graduating, she joined Microsoft as a Data Scientist on the SwiftKey team.

How did Imperial’s MSc Business Analytics help you move into your current role?

The programme equipped me with practical data skills that could be directly applied to an analytics job role. Previously, I had worked in quantitative research which has limited exposure to big data. MSc Business Analytics gave me the high level and broad knowledge about data analytics which has helped me better navigate my new job role. I hadn’t worked in the technology industry before and, because the knowledge taught on the programme is up-to-date, my transition into the industry was easier.

What is your proudest achievement in business?

I assisted the Intelligence Input team of Microsoft to build a data exploration open-source platform.

What skills did MSc Business Analytics give you to move into data analytics?

MSc Business Analytics covered programming with a data-driven mindset. It’s not programming like a programmer – but programming with a business question in mind!

Why did you choose Imperial to study MSc Business Analytics?

I chose Imperial because I was specifically interested in moving into the engineering and technology industry when I first started thinking about studying a Master’s in business analytics. Imperial is famous for its innovation and engineering vision. Therefore, I chose Imperial.

Chris Bradshaw is a two-time graduate of Imperial, graduating with a Master’s in Chemical Engineering before later returning to study MSc Business Analytics in 2015. Chris has worked for Deloitte since 2010 and credits the programme for helping him move into an analytics role in Deloitte, where he is currently a Senior Manager. 

How did MSc Business Analytics at Imperial help you move into your current role?

The programme let me move into the analytics space within Deloitte, transforming the work that I am doing and moving delivery up the seniority chain within my clients. 

What is your proudest achievement in business?

My proudest achievement was achieving senior client and partner recognition for digital innovation 

What was the highlight of MSc Business Analytics?

I enjoyed the practical application of learning that the lecturers brought. 

What skills did MSc Business Analytics give you to move into data analytics?

The key skills have been the understanding of analytical techniques and machine learning. At the level I am working, I will not be writing code but understanding what people are writing helps me prepare better client solutions in reduced time. 

Why did you choose Imperial to study MSc Business Analytics?

A combination of the quality of the school, the duration of the course and the location.

Azlan Nazari has worked for Tenaga Nasional Berhad since 2008, starting as an engineer. Here he shares how he took one year out to study MSc Business Analytics at Imperial before returning to the company in a data analytics role.

How did MSc Business Analytics at Imperial help you move into your current role?

After I graduated from MSc Business Analytics at Imperial, I returned to the Tenaga Nasional Berhad to lead the newly formed analytics team in the Customer Experience and Marketing Unit. The knowledge and skills, as well as experience gained from the programme, equipped me with a strong foundation to face the challenges of the new role and develop the analytics capabilities within the team members.

Which part of the programme prepared you for this?

The programme puts special emphasis on utilising analytics to address business problems and is supported by interactive teaching that covers the latest and cutting-edge analytics theory. It profoundly shaped my mindset in approaching business analytics in my day-to-day job.

In addition, the content of the programme influenced my approach in shaping the advanced analytics strategy and implementation at a corporate level.

What is your proudest achievement in business?

After one year in a data analytics role, I am very happy to see the fruits of my labour and dedication come into realisation. I successfully introduced R and visualisation tools, as well as exposing the team to fundamental analytics concepts. They are now able to deliver actionable insights to our internal clients. The knowledge learnt on MSc Business Analytics was really useful to assess and recommend suitable tools for the organisation, which has seen a significant improvement in sales.   

What was the highlight of MSc Business Analytics?

For me, the highlight of this programme was the Capstone Business Analytics Consulting Project. I really enjoyed the project because I applied the knowledge and skills acquired in the programme to solve a business problem for a real business customer.

What skills did MSc Business Analytics give you to move into data analytics?

The programme gave me vital skills in programming languages, such as R, Python, SQL, AMPL and JavaScript. More importantly, the programme puts a lot of emphasis on formulating solutions, understanding business problems, breaking up complex business problems into small and manageable problems, identify the analytics problem and linking it with the right tool and technique to solve the problem.

Why did you choose Imperial to study MSc Business Analytics?

I was attracted to the whole package Imperial has to offer. Located in London, the prestige of studying at a global top 10 university, student diversity, the strong network of students and close collaboration with businesses. MSc Business Analytics at Imperial offered the right balance between theoretical and business application, and the opportunity to work with top companies on the Capstone Business Analytics Consulting Project.

Is there anything you miss about studying at Imperial?

Although I am not a coffee lover, I really miss the coffee, especially mochas, at Imperial.