Career Pathway: Business analytics

Career Pathway: Business analytics

Interested in turning measurements into insight?

With a business analytics major from Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business, you will play an increasingly important role as organizations seriously examine data. In order to deliver exceptional business performance, it is crucial that businesses actively analyze internal and external data to drive their decisions. Opportunities abound for tech-savvy business people who know how to deal intelligently with data.

The business analytics major prepares students to succeed in a data-driven world, providing exposure to software platforms and techniques used to store, transform, manipulate, analyze and interpret small and large sets of data.

Where do I start for a career pathway in business analytics?

Start by making an appointment with Zhang Career Center, which can assist you in discovering your career interests and values. The business analytics industry includes employees who tend to be investigative, conventional and enterprising. They value achievement, recognition and working conditions according to . Find out if your work preferences match careers in analytics by taking the Focus2 assessment.

What is business analytics?

What skills are business analytics employers seeking?

Technical skills are part of the proficiencies that are required for a job and may be developed in your major coursework. Analytics-oriented technical skills desired are understanding of social media and internet dynamics, Adobe Creative suite, Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft programs, ERP software and front-end programming languages.

Interpersonal skills enable you to succeed and are often developed outside of the classroom. These include social perceptiveness, persuasion, active listening, complex problem solving, negotiation, service orientation, collaboration, systems analysis and evaluation.

What careers involve these business analytics skills?

How can I obtain an internship?

There are many different ways to acquire an internship, online or in person. Visiting the Internship Catalog and the Career Outcomes Report can help you learn about the companies that have previously employed business analytics students.

is 51��’s employment website. All students should set up an account and publish a resume. Resumes made public by the student are searchable by employers.

Students use their Handshake accounts to view internship and full-time job opportunities posted by employers and sign up for on-campus interviews. For more information, visit the Zhang Career Center.

Student groups and supporting events at 51�� Haworth

Business analytics student groups include Business Analytics and Information Technology (BAIT). Other groups include Business Association of Mentors, DECA at 51��, Delta Sigma Pi, Leadership and Business Strategy, Phi Chi Theta and Women's Business Network.

Events supporting the business analytics major include the following:

Business Career Day

NACE Career Readiness Competencies

The Zhang Career Center at the Haworth College of Business empowers learners to launch successful business careers by engaging them in innovative programming focused on professional readiness, while developing partnerships with global, regional and local leaders who hire students. As pioneers in career readiness programs and experts in customer service, staff members in the career center strive to meet the needs of all students and employers.

Career readiness competencies include:

Career and self-development
Communication
Critical thinking
Equity and inclusion
Leadership
Professionalism
Teamwork
Technology

Visit the to learn more.

Tasks and processes in business analytics:

Experience with reading dashboard analytics, business process improvement, data metrics, advanced Microsoft Excel modeling, forecasting and planning, business systems analysis, reading big data, data analytics, data sets, software programs, computer programming, correlating data, simulations, data collection and processing, data warehouses, insights to information, technical documentation, SQL programming, SAP, statistical analysis, systematic thinking and search engine optimization.

Careers in business analytics:

Business intelligence analyst:

Commercial intelligence analyst
Competitive intelligence analyst
Consultant
Strategic business and technology intelligence
Global intelligence
Market intelligence

Computer systems analyst:

Administrative analyst
Employment programs analyst
Leadership development manager
Management consultation
Organizational development consultant
Quality control analyst

Management analyst:

Applications analyst
Business analyst
Computer analyst
Computer systems consultant
Information systems analyst
Programmer analyst
Systems analyst
Systems engineer

Operations research analyst:

Analytical strategist
Business insight and analytics manager
Decision analyst
Operations research group manager
Operations research manager

Business Externship opportunities

The Business Externship Program provides career exploration opportunities that connect students in Western Michigan University's Haworth College of Business with mentors, many of whom are 51�� alumni. Current business analytics externship opportunities include AGCO, Brunswick, Rocket Companies, Vibracoustic and many more. Learn more about the program.