A little bit about me...

Hi, I’m Anusha! I’m currently studying the MSc in Business Analytics at the Business School (formerly Cass) and I’m thrilled to share my experience so far with you.

As a tech savvy person who has always looked for opportunities to challenge and change traditional methods of problem solving, it was only a matter of time before I knew analytics is the field for me. I consider myself fortunate because I was able to identify my passion and interest fairly early and begin aligning my academics with my goal. This led me towards choosing computer science engineering for my bachelors. Following my graduation in 2014, I was offered a job as a Data Analyst at KPMG in Bangalore, India. It is here that I was able to gain an insight into the true potential of this field and how to leverage data into profitable business prospects. I also realised how little I knew relatively, and hence decided to pursue my master's with the Business School (formerly Cass).

MSc Business Analytics

I remember one particular thing the course director (Prof. Vali Asimit) said to us during the induction – he said that ‘in 6 months’ time, we would not be able to believe how much we would have learnt and how much we would be capable of implementing’. Two terms in, now that I look back at it, I can I see what he meant.

The course is a perfect balance of all the technical skills you require to be competent in the current job market.

For example, the programme is a succinct mix of the soft skills required to strategise and be a good manager (modules like Strategic Business Analytics) while making sure you know exactly how to carry out the implementation of all the various concepts taught in different courses, in the coding languages Python & R.

A few of my favourite modules are Network Analytics, Data Visualisation & Machine Learning. Although two thirds of the course were held online owing to the pandemic, I have not noticed any gaps in the way the teaching was delivered. The professors were all highly adaptive to the situation and extended their help in all ways possible in order to make the learning experience seamless for us.

The Industry Partnership Programme

The MSc Business Analytics has a fantastic partnership programme where students can do a project in the industry. This is a great opportunity to apply to the skills learnt on the programme to the real-world.

The industry project I chose to work on is with Vodafone. Vodafone’s people analytics research project aims to identify current and future trends in the early youth workforce with a particular focus on the representation on females, the BAME community and individuals from low socio-economic backgrounds. In term one we had an opportunity to learn about People Analytics’ and it piqued my interest – hence, when the list for research projects were out, I had to jump at the opportunity!

My future

I think I made the right decision by wanting to pursue the MSc in Business Analytics with the Business School (formerly Cass). This course has equipped me to face the job market confidently and emerge successful despite being an international student trying to find employment in the middle of a pandemic. I now look forward to joining an investment management company as a Software Engineer following my graduation in September 2021.

During my interview processes with the company, I realised how much of everything I said could be traced back to what I am studying on my master's. I firmly believe that the course has broadened my knowledge and has prepared me to face the demands of the emerging and ever-growing industry – onwards & upwards from here!

Would you like to ask Anusha more about her experience?  Get in touch.