UW-Madison's Business Analytics MSBA

Our first student spotlight of the year is Dierre Johnson! Originally from Kansas City, Dierre has been a proud Badger since undergrad. Earning a master's degree has always been a long-term goal for Dierre, and his BBA in Information Systems provided him with a strong foundation in data analytics. This inspired Dierre to master his skillset with the MSBA program. Upon graduation, Dierre plans to continue in his role at the start-up SideShift here on campus. Working on back-end operations like CRM configuration, data analysis, and reporting for SideShift, Dierre explains how the program is preparing him with the technical skills he needs to execute these responsibilities and more. To learn more about Dierre’s journey with MSBA, the start-up he runs and his advice to current and future MSBA Badgers, read the full blog post linked here! https://lnkd.in/guAxYdum

Kicking off our “Faculty Feature” initiative, aimed at spotlighting the dynamic force behind Wisconsin School of Business MSBA program, is Katie Gaertner! Katie is a business analytics lecturer at WSB and one of her courses is focused on teaching cloud technology for the MSBA program.? In our latest blog post, read about Katie’s career journey and how it gives her a unique angle when sharing industry-relevant insights with MSBA students. Her deep-rooted passion for analytics and teaching comes through each day in the classroom where she uses experiential learning and projects that work with data firsthand to empower students to thrive in today’s evolving tech landscape.?? To learn more about Katie’s goals for the upcoming academic year and the career journey advice she shares with aspiring business professionals, read the feature here: https://lnkd.in/gM3Duby3 We are proud to recognize the incredible faculty that contribute to the success of the MSBA program and share how their talent and hard work bring value to the students each day. Stay tuned for more faculty features!

?? Our first immersion trip of the year to Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin was a tremendous success! ?? In the morning, our Wisconsin School of Business students and staff came together for a 3-hour volunteer shift, sorting and packaging pasta that will provide meals for 1,500 families! ?? Following that, we were given an exclusive tour of the distribution facility and an inside look into their daily operations.? Over lunch, students had the opportunity to engage with a diverse group of employees spanning strategy, finance, data, HR, fundraising, and operations—gaining insight into what it’s like to work in the nonprofit sector and how wide-reaching their impact truly is. ?? In the afternoon, our students were divided into teams and challenged with a real-Second Harvest data exercise. After working through this business challenge, each team presented their findings—a preview of the consulting projects they’ll undertake in the spring semester's Graduate Consulting Capstone, Wisconsin School of Business. ???? It was an inspiring day of teamwork, learning, and giving back, fully embodying the core pillars of our MSBA program: skill building and application, ethical leadership, community, resiliency and adaptability, and communication. ?? Thank You to Janet Simon, Briella McNett, Hema Sai Ari and the entire team at Second Harvest! Jay Page Caitlin Hunter Mara Yorizzo Natalie Norton #MSBA #CommunityImpact #BusinessAnalytics #NonprofitLeadership #DataSkills

MSBA AI & Analytics Challenge ?? The Wisconsin School of Business MSBA held their 2nd annual analytics challenge designed to help students practice skills they learn in their coursework and prepare for their project with the Graduate Consulting Capstone, Wisconsin School of Business. Last Wednesday, 17 teams of three MSBA students collaborated to analyze unstructured text and presented their findings to a panel of judges. Competing teams were challenged by acting as consulting executives for "Wisneyland Hong Kong," aiming to uncover trends in customer complaints. Utilizing any data tools participants saw fit, teams examined thousands of customer survey responses and presented solutions that "Wisneyland" could easily implement to improve the park experience. Congratulations to the top three teams: Analytics Anonymous, Bam, and Power GI! Huge thank you to Cody Baldwin, Aimee Hanna, and judges Jay Page, Katie Gaertner, and Sam Fong as well as to all participants and staff who made the event a success! This incredible hands-on learning opportunity for students is one of many for the program, showcasing UW MSBA's commitment to prioritizing career readiness! Read more about the event in our latest feature, "Data-Driven Brilliance: Inside the MSBA Analytics Challenge": https://lnkd.in/gddHmYHx

Reflecting on a Successful Local MSBA Career Trek! Last week, our Wisconsin School of Business' MS in Business Analytics students had the incredible opportunity to visit three outstanding companies: Epic Systems, American Family Insurance, and Trek Bicycle. This day-long field trip provided invaluable insights into diverse company cultures and the various avenues available in the business analytics field. During the visits, our hosts shared key pieces of career advice: ? Actively Learn: Embrace every opportunity for growth and knowledge acquisition. ?? Network Early: Building relationships can open unexpected doors and lead to new opportunities. ?? Stay Adaptable: Technology is constantly evolving—don’t get locked into one tool or platform. ?? Embrace the New: Continuously study, read books, and explore blogs to deepen your understanding of your desired industry. ?? Find Your Passion: There are many pathways into analytics; leverage your unique background to carve your niche. Thank you to all hosts, moderators, panelists and tour guides for their generosity and insights! Students came away inspired and excited to apply these lessons on their professional journeys. Cheers to the future! #CareerDevelopment #Networking #BusinessAnalytics #WisconsinSchoolofBusiness #MSBA Nicole Hilsenhoff Zachary Rottier Toni Gnewuch dean gore cc: Karl Galko, Graduate Employer Relations at the Wisconsin School of Business

?? What a fantastic way to close out last week and the summer season! ?? Extending a big thank you to our amazing Wisconsin School of Business analytics alumni panel of Alex Lawrence, Charushree MB, and Vedant D. Kulkarni; representing the companies of Madison Gas and Electric and Springs Window Fashions, respectively. Your willingness to share insights and experiences with our current cohort made a significant impact! The knowledge you imparted not only inspires but also empowers the next generation of leaders in analytics. Cheers to Amanda Kost and the Graduate Employer Relations at the Wisconsin School of Business and Career Management teams! #Analytics #Alumni #Networking #Inspiration #FutureLeaders

?? Alumni Spotlight: Minqi Liao, MSBA Class of 2022** ?? This month, we're proud to highlight Minqi Liao, an inspiring member of the Wisconsin School of Business Class of ‘22! Originally from China, Minqi transitioned from her undergrad studies to join our MSBA program without prior analytics experience. Now, she’s thriving at Walmart GoLocal where she’s part of the Business Analytics & Insights team, focusing on data analysis for last-mile delivery. Minqi credits the program for equipping her with vital technical skills like SQL and Tableau, as well as enhancing her soft skills in storytelling and communication. She emphasizes, “I’m not only better equipped for my role, but I’ve also gained insights that inspire my career growth in business analytics.” Her biggest takeaway? The MSBA career fair allowed for invaluable connections with industry leaders. Minqi advises current and future students to “start making connections now, be curious about the business, and find an industry that interests you.” ?? Read about Minqi and the impact of our MSBA program here: https://lnkd.in/gjaA84dW #AlumniSpotlight #BusinessAnalytics #MSBA #onwisconsin

Last week, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Wisconsin School of Business MSBA Class of 2025! The orientation was a dynamic mix of curriculum overviews, engaging icebreakers, hands-on activities, a mini analytics project, and a fantastic social hour. It was a whirlwind of new faces, new connections, and new stories that we’re excited to see unfold. A huge thank you to our incredible staff, faculty, and student assistants who made the week an unforgettable experience. Here’s to a fantastic academic year ahead. On, Wisconsin! ?? #MSBA2025 #OrientationWeek #WisconsinSchoolofBusiness

Attention MSBA Alumni! We want to celebrate your successes and hear about your post-graduation journey. How has the MSBA program impacted your career path? Share your story with us, and you could be featured on our blog and social media channels. Interested? Simply fill out this form: https://lnkd.in/g3kPXtYV or drop us an email at [email protected]. We can’t wait to highlight your achievements! ??

As we gear up for another exciting academic year of experiential learning at the Wisconsin School of Business, we want to take a moment to highlight the incredible individuals who have made a significant impact on our students. One such standout is Bill Neill of Carex Consulting Group. Bill supported our students by sponsoring a semester-long project in Spring '23 and returned last year to share his professional insights at a consulting panel discussion. Bill's dedication and expertise have greatly enriched our students' learning journey. Read about Bill’s impressive background and the career advice he shared. https://lnkd.in/erJ-Q-rv