MSBA Class of 2023: Convenient format and program design keep retail professional on track

Evan Amico, M.S. in Business Analytics ’23
Amazon, Fresh Grocery Division. Arlington, VA

What’s your background?

My career has been largely retail-focused. I am currently a Merchandiser at Amazon, working in their fresh grocery division. Previously, I worked for Walmart.

I find retail really fun. It allows you to put yourself in the position of the customer, walking in their shoes, so to speak. You also get to work with both manufacturers and suppliers, looking for cool, exciting products. I think that retail should be as seamless and painless as possible, and I like being able to save people time and money so that they can focus on the things they truly enjoy doing.

How did you decide to pursue a Master’s in Business Analytics?

I knew I wanted to get a master’s degree at some point. I went to UNC for undergrad and majored in Business Administration, and I was really drawn to the MSBA program because it felt like it was an extension of my undergraduate studies. 

I liked that the MSBA had technical elements, but it also placed an emphasis on soft skills. I also liked that the program had consistent in-person and virtual engagement. I thought the program design would help me stay motivated, and I’ve found that I’m excited to see my classmates and professors when an online class or a weekend residency is apeproaching. All of that, combined with the convenience of the Rosslyn location, as well the incredible facilities, really made it an easy decision. 

What’s been the impact of the program for you so far?

I’ve really enjoyed the design of the program. During a module, all of your classes work towards the same end goal. It’s been great to take what we’re learning in class and work with a team to apply these lessons to a deliverable that is essentially our final exam for the module. 

In addition, I didn’t come in with a lot of familiarity with some of the coding languages we’ve learned about, and the program has really helped me build an understanding and a confidence with these tools. However, I feel even more confident about my ability to help an audience visualize and understand data and what is happening in the background of the tools that are being used to help sift through the data. Because of the program, I feel like I can understand the perspectives of the engineers, but also of the business people, and effectively work as a translator between these two groups.