Student Life

The M.S. in Business Analytics Program is rigorous and includes plenty of room for all manner of growth. Rooted in a creative and collaborative approach to understanding the intersection of business and analytics, you will enjoy a fun and safe environment in which to experiment with different experiences, roles, and hands-on challenges. Working with faculty who are committed to your success, in just one year you will develop both a skillset and a network that will last you a lifetime.

Class Profile Snapshot

Alumni Stories

Student Spotlight

What’s your professional/academic background?

I am currently a Technical Advisor at Augur Consulting, a small consulting firm in Crystal City that specializes in cost, schedule, and performance management services for federal clients. In my role as a Technical Advisor, I have two main functions. I support short-term client engagements that require a high level of expertise in any of our core competencies, and I develop internal products that improve the performance of our employees.

Why did you decide to pursue an MSBA?

When I decided to pursue an MSBA, I was at a point in my career where I had a lot of experience doing data analysis, but very limited experience working with large datasets. A project that I was working on exposed the limitations of my skill set when working with big data and initiated my interest in building up a strong technical foundation. Additionally, I was seeking exposure to these skills in the context of business and wanted to expand on the management and communication skills necessary to facilitate data-driven impacts.

What led you to the UVA program?

I was interested in UVA for many reasons. First and foremost was the excellent teaching quality and case method approach to learning. I found that it is better to learn through real-world scenarios, and the cases have been an excellent way of thinking through all of the different considerations when solving a problem. Additionally, I was attracted to the hybrid format in the DC area, which allowed me to continue working and apply the skills I’m learning while also engaging with my classmates in person on the weekends.

What’s your favorite memory from the program?

There are many to choose from, but my favorite class so far has been Data Analytics I with Professor Michael Albert. This class had a weekly Kaggle competition that challenged us to think critically about the models we were learning and forced us to communicate our insights in a way that displayed business impact. I learned very quickly how bright and driven my classmates are!

Read Obai’s full Q&A.

What’s your professional/academic background?

I am currently a Senior Manager at Capital One, serving as the product owner for a data visualization platform. I have a background in UX/UI, so I also perform design consultations and mockup creation for other software development teams within my organization.

After undergrad, I studied software engineering and human-computer interaction through online classes and pursued a career in tech. Throughout my career, I have functioned as a front-end software engineer, UX/UI designer, user researcher, and product owner.

Why did you decide to pursue an MSBA?

In the beginning stages of my career, I served as an individual contributor, working as a front-end software engineer and UX/UI designer. As I stepped into a leadership role on a software development team, I felt the need to learn more about business strategy and machine learning/AI. In order to be an effective leader, I understand that I need to be able to leverage the power of business analytics to inform corporate strategy.

What led you to the UVA program?

UVA’s program hit the nail on the head in terms of what I was interested in studying. I was also attracted to the curriculum and how it blends so many subjects together. It was important to me that I would be able to use all of my newfound skills in harmony with each other and apply them to my job in real time.

What’s your best piece of advice for prospective students?

I would encourage prospective students to challenge themselves to continue their learning journey. The thought of going back to school can be scary, but this program has been one of the best decisions I have made. I have learned so much that I have already been able to apply to my job, and I am excited to think of the doors it will open in the future.

What’s your favorite memory from the program?

My favorite memory has been the Charlottesville residency at the beginning of the program. This was a great way for everyone in the cohort to get to know each other and enjoy Charlottesville. It was a great mix of immersive learning and team bonding. I did not expect to make such great friends through a hybrid remote/in-person program, but this program has done a great job of connecting everyone.

Read Colleen’s full Q&A

What’s your professional/academic background?
  • Senior Program Manager at Google, responsible for managing programs to deliver new cloud products to businesses globally
  • Technical Program Manager at Amazon Web Services (AWS), responsible for managing programs to deliver new software offerings to U.S. government regions
  • Technical Program Manager in the U.S. Navy, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV), responsible for leading quantitative analytic studies designed to inform investment strategies
  • Nuclear Submarine Officer in the U.S. Navy, responsible for operations and maintenance of a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine
What led you to the UVA program?

UVA was a clear choice for me because I was familiar with UVA’s case method, and I knew firsthand how effective this teaching style is. I previously completed my MBA at UVA, and I was impressed with the culture, student body, professors, and overall academics.

What has been the impact of your experience?

The greatest impact this program has had on me so far is the increased confidence to present technical data in an easy-to-understand format. Up until now, I’ve been unsure on how to effectively speak to leadership through my technical data, but this program has eliminated that hesitation and given me the tools needed to confidentially and effectively present my findings in an impactful manner.

What’s your best piece of advice for prospective students?

Don’t be intimidated by the coding required throughout this program. I entered this program with no professional coding experience, but I’ve been able to achieve success by utilizing the help of my classmates and professors. This program is designed to be a fun and an effective learning environment, so don’t be shy about exploring new boundaries!

What are some of the skills you’ve learned in the program?

Building data models with the deeper analytical and visualization capabilities of R, SQL, and Tableau. It’s an exciting feeling when you able to answer your own question on “I wonder what this data says about…”

Read Danny’s full Q&A. 

What’s your professional/academic background?

Currently, I work in energy risk management in Phoenix, AZ. I have worked at Arizona Public Service for seven years, coming straight out of college into a Finance & Accounting rotational program at my company.

What led you to the UVA program?

I wanted to be in a flexible program that would allow me to keep my current job. It was also important for me to be able to meet my cohort in person, and I did not mind having to travel for school. I had also heard great things about Darden from family and friends. I went down the list of top business schools and tried to find a program that fit all of my needs. When I came across UVA’s MSBA program, it seemed like the perfect fit for me.

What’s your favorite memory from the program?

My favorite memory so far has been the first residency in Charlottesville. From dinner at the apple cider brewery, to going to the UVA football game, to the scavenger hunt across campus, this residency was filled with amazing memories.

What has been the impact of your experience?

The program has challenged me in many ways, but it has all been worth it, as I have gained many new skills, experiences, and lifelong friends. I have a whole network in the DC area and East Coast that I would not have met if I hadn’t chosen this program.

What are some of the skills you’ve learned in the program?

I feel much more confident giving presentations and effectively communicating my ideas and recommendations to all types of audiences. Through all of our mod projects, I’ve become a better team player and have become more adaptable working with different people. I know how to employ various types of analyses, I can use statistical software like SPSS, and I can create data visualizations in Tableau. I’ve been exposed to several types of codes and software such as Python, R, SQL, Crystal Ball, Amos, Sawtooth, and Databricks, to name a few.

Read Celine’s full Q&A.