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Born and raised in Azerbaijan, Vusala Islamova was just a teen when she developed an interest in business analytics — a field that was becoming increasingly crucial for businesses to understand their customers, plan ahead and drive growth. When the time came for her to choose a master’s programme to advance her knowledge and gain sought-after skills in this booming field, Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business stood out for obvious reasons.
Its legacy of academic excellence, an intellectually invigorating environment and the flexibility to tailor her education aligned perfectly with her aspirations. With the Master of Science (MS) in Business Analytics being STEM-designated, she could apply for a 24-month extension of her post-completion optional practical training (OPT) in the U.S. as well.
“I found this holistic approach incredibly appealing, especially as someone transitioning from a different background and industry,” says Islamova. “Drexel’s commitment to guiding students and providing tangible pathways to achieve their dreams convinced me that this was the right place for my academic and professional growth.”
True enough, Islamova’s journey has been nothing short of enriching. The courses, meticulously designed, have led her from basics to brilliance — equipping her with database mastery, skills in multilingual coding and competencies in statistical decision-making. Most importantly, Drexel University has continuously fostered a community of collaboration and camaraderie among her and her peers, within and beyond the classroom.
Drexel LeBow’s Centre for Business Analytics develops collaborations with companies across the country, forming relationships for the benefit of both students and industry partners. Through engagement with the Centre, students gain practical learning opportunities and industry insight while companies benefit from faculty and student interaction and expertise. The Centre organises events that help students connect with some of over 180,000 thriving alumni and countless industry leaders at the forefront of analytics innovation. By participating in project-based experiences and case competitions, the theoretical morphs into the practical — in the past, Drexel student teams have analysed, interpreted and derived insights from data provided by participating companies, such as Under Armour, Comcast and Southwest Airlines.
Drexel LeBow’s Online Masters programs are ranked in the top 25% of online business programs by U.S. News & World Report (2023), Source: Drexel University, LeBow College of Business
“Through these initiatives, we, as students, are able to recognise our capabilities, refine our skills and understand the impact we can make in the real world,” shares Islamova, who recently landed an internship as a data engineer, thanks to the support she received from Drexel’s dedicated team of advisors and career fairs held on campus where she was able to meet professionals in the field eager to share their invaluable perspectives.
Chinaemerem Daniel from Nigeria also credits her successful learning journey to the faculty and mentors at Drexel LeBow. Professor Matthew Schneider’s openness taught her to solve problems with integrity. Kelly Deily, associate director, Graduate Career Services, became the compass of her career path, while Assistant Dean Niki Kelley always maintained an open-door policy. Their collective wisdom shaped her confidence, communication skills and networking prowess.
“Of course, the list is endless but their unique insights on the industry, combined with their unwavering support, have enriched my understanding and honed my approach to analytics,” says the student.
As technology evolves, organizations need their business analytics leaders to understand key technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, data privacy and Internet of Things (IoT). Source: Drexel University, LeBow College of Business
Such support is open to anyone who chooses the MS in Business Analytics. Faculty members are accessible — always encouraging and guiding learners to tailor their curriculum to match their interests.
“Programme content focuses on three key pillars of business analytics — statistics, data management and business modelling — providing students with an understanding of the field’s foundational concepts that can be applied across contexts and industries,” shares Murugan Anandarajan, PhD, senior associate dean of academic programs and faculty affairs, academic director of the Centre for Business Analytics, and professor of decision sciences and MIS.
Delivered from Drexel University’s campus in Philadelphia’s University City neighbourhood, the programme boasts an extensive line-up of cutting-edge courses that evolve over time, according to industry trends. Courses currently span of-the-moment insights on topics such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, data privacy and the Internet of Things (IoT). Through electives, students can opt to delve into the core topics of information systems, statistics or modelling.
Delivered by expert faculty, the MS in Business Analytics program teaches students techniques such as forecasting, data visualization, optimization and machine learning. Source: Drexel University, LeBow College of Business
To apply knowledge, MS in Business Analytics students take on hands-on experiences that bridge the gap between classroom learning and the demands of the professional world. The capstone project is what truly sets this programme apart, tasking students to tackle real-world challenges presented by the likes of Mastercard, PwC, Johnson & Johnson, Anthropologie and American Century Investments.
The opportunity entails working on data-driven initiatives and presenting key findings to decision-makers. Recently, students deployed to a leading chemical company used advanced technology to study customer opinions about the company’s products through thematic, sentiment and emotional analyses. Then, they created an interactive dashboard to share their findings.
At a gas utility, another student team created a smart system to handle inventory. They used mathematics and data to determine how much of each item should be kept in stock, considering factors like delivery times and costs. This project helped the company to save money while always having what they needed on hand.
Students’ practical experiences in the field serve as invaluable data points that influence the refinement of Drexel LeBow’s curricula. “The college conducts surveys to study employer feedback and student self-assessments related to each student’s performance,” explains Anandarajan.
“Gap analyses are conducted to identify where misalignment of employer needs and student competencies may exist — generating data that informs and guides students’ skill development (both technical and critical thinking abilities) and career and role expectations.”
Click here to learn more about applying to the MS in Business Analytics programme at Drexel’s LeBow College of Business.
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