We are living in a data explosion — and the amount of information that is created and shared every single day is mind blowing.
The dramatic availability of data is a critical game-changer for many industries, but data is meaningless unless there’s an interpreter — someone who can gather the data, identify trends, and provide solutions to increase return on investment.
We talked to one current "data fluent" professional who obtained a data science-focused degree at West Virginia University. Here's what she had to say.
Tell us a little bit about yourself: name, age and hometown?
My name is Amanda Hall, and I am 25 years old. I am a West Virginia native from Pennsboro. I graduated from WVU in the spring of 2018 with my bachelor’s in finance from the Chambers College.
What graduate program did you achieve at WVU?
I graduated in summer of 2020 with my Master of Science in Business Data Analytics.
What was the program's most eye- opening aspect?
The most valuable aspect of the program was the capstone experience. The industrial relationship the program has with Wesbanco provides such a unique and invaluable experience for the students to advance their skills sets beyond the classroom.
Being able to partner with WesBanco allowed me to apply all the skills I had acquired in the program and apply them towards real business cases, while receiving mentorship from analysts and leadership at WesBanco.
The analysis my capstone team completed made a real impact on the business and was able to provide insight into future analysis for Wesbanco.
How did WVU’s program prepare you to achieve your long term career goals?
The Business Data Analytics program prepared me for my career as a data analyst by providing an up-to-date curriculum that directly aligned to the fast paced data science field.
The faculty ensured the skills we were learning were applicable to the real world and provided the necessary foundation to build upon when advancing my skill sets after graduation.
How did WVU prepare you to secure this role?
My current role is Sr. Data Analyst for Advance Auto in Raleigh, NC. When interviewing for positions, I felt I had the necessary skills to compete in the field and to advance my career.
Tell us about one faculty member who positively impacted your time in grad school at WVU.
Brad Price played a huge role in my success in the program. His dedication to his students and the program is unmatched. He truly cared about my success in the program, but more importantly the field.
He took the time to understand my interests and helped me recognize my strengths in the field. The mentorship he provided throughout the coursework and throughout the job search process truly impacted my success at WVU.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to someone considering WVU for a data science-related degree?
My one piece of advice would be to make the investment in yourself. No matter what your background, this program opens doors to endless career opportunities. The way businesses and companies operate has experienced huge shifts toward more data-centric roles and operations, and this program will prepare you to take the next step in your career.
This one-year investment I made in myself and my career provided an instant pay off once I graduated.
Best STEM Graduate Programs for Data-Minded Professionals:
Fueled by the academic innovation coming out of West Virginia University’s own graduate school community, the data-focused graduate programs at WVU serve as a hub for research, knowledge-sharing, and data-driven innovation — all with the goal of advancing technology as well as the meaningful industries that perpetuate progress.
Here are a few colleges and departments at WVU that offer data-focused graduate programs:
- John Chambers College of Business and Economics
- Reed College of Media
- School of Public Health
- Statler College
- Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
If you are interested in boosting your career with a data science-related graduate degree, then we invite you to get in touch with us!
Navigate the data explosion — download WVU's Data Science Degree Guide!
