My name is Milton Caluya, and I’m currently studying MSc Business Analytics (online, part-time) at Imperial College Business School. I’m originally from the Philippines, currently based in Singapore, and work as the APAC Commercial Excellence Data Analyst for Envu, an environmental science company.
I moved to Singapore initially with the goal of working and pursuing postgraduate studies. However, I eventually opted to concentrate solely on my career. It wasn't until late 2021 that the idea of returning to school re-entered my mind.
Why I chose Imperial College Business School
After researching analytics programmes at various institutions, Imperial’s MSc Business Analytics (online, part-time) stood out, and it was the only school I applied to. Yes, you read that right!
I created a simple scoring model to assist me in selecting a programme. However, it is not as advanced as the knowledge I will gain from my Business School modules. The core factors that contributed to my decision were the following:
- Intersection of business and technology - it was important to me to find a Business Analytics programme that focused not only on tools and technology, but also offers a mix of business, and maths.
- Online learning - I preferred an online programme as my wife and I both work in Singapore and relocating was not an option.
- Flexibility - I needed to be able studying at my own pace and not have to attend all live classes. I didn’t want to undertake a programme that would majorly affect my personal commitments. Also, my work sometimes requires me to work extra hours.
- Recognising work experience - I wanted to find a school that looks at my whole application, considering my work experience along with my admission tests and undergraduate studies.
The Business School's programme met all my requirements and was the perfect fit for me. Receiving the acceptance email felt like an old dream coming back to life, only bigger and better than before.
My programme so far
We completed our first term in December. We studied two core modules: Maths and Statistics Foundations for Analytics, and Data Structure and Algorithms.
During the middle of the term, I struggled to manage my time because of personal commitments and a heavy workload. If you don't plan ahead, the pace of the class can become overwhelming because you study a new lesson every week.
Thankfully, our learning platform, The Hub, has a timetable that allows us to see all module content and deadlines. This allowed me to make adjustments and catch up on lessons.
Despite challenges, I am enjoying the programme so far. The approach to studying probability, statistics, and linear algebra has been very eye-opening and increased my appreciation for these fields. It makes me chuckle when I think back to my undergraduate programme when I would question when I would use statistics in my career. In the end, I got a job at a statistical software company.
What makes the programme even more enjoyable is that my cohort is extremely supportive. We only met in September, but it feels like we've known each other for a long time.
I also learned more optimal Python coding methods from our professors. Being able to apply them immediately at work allows me to retain the knowledge better.
What makes the programme even more enjoyable is that my cohort is extremely supportive. We only met in September, but it feels like we've known each other for a long time. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in-person again during our on-campus elective in June (it’s party... I mean study time!).
The second term has now started, and I’m excited about what’s ahead. I'm sure it will be a challenging yet rewarding learning experience.
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