Job placement for the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) Class of 2013 begins in earnest this month. A total of 77 candidates seeking new employment are set to begin interviewing for positions in the analytics profession. Over the 90-day placement season, the Institute will host information sessions and arrange interviews with as many as 40 to 50 employers representing a wide range of job opportunities, including banking, consumer product goods, energy, financial services, health care, insurance, Internet, management consulting, manufacturing, marketing, public service, retail, and telecommunications. Some of the employers that have scheduled visits and job interviews include: Continue reading “MSA Job Placement Season Begins”
Author: Michael Rappa
Applications Reach Record High
At the midpoint in the application cycle for the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) Class of 2014, the number of applications has already surpassed the all-time high—up 132% over the previous year-to-date total. The surge in applications is attributable to the reputation and uniqueness of the MSA program, now entering its seventh year, and the strong demand for analytics professionals nationwide. The preeminence of the MSA program starts with the quality of its applicant pool, said the Institute’s director, Dr. Michael Rappa: “We carefully evaluate each and every applicant, Continue reading “Applications Reach Record High”
Prospective Applicants — MSA Class of 2014
The Institute is now reviewing applications for admission to the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) Class of 2014 for studies commencing in June. Admission to the MSA program is highly competitive. Prospective applicants are encouraged to apply early to have the best chance of being accepted for admission. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until all 80 seats are taken. Although the first-round priority deadline has passed for international applicants, including those currently residing in the U.S., non-U.S. citizens may still apply for admission (application materials should be expedited to ensure timely arrival). The Class of 2014 will be the Institute’s seventh MSA cohort since its founding in 2007. For more details regarding application procedures, see: Information for Applicants.
Employers: MSA Resumes Now Available
Looking to hire a data analytics professional in 2013? The Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) Class of 2013 resume book is now available! Prospective employers interested in reviewing 80 resumes of MSA candidates graduating in May, should please contact us to obtain a copy. The Institute will host employer information sessions through January, and welcomes employers to secure dates for onsite interviews during the month of February. You can also download the MSA Student Profile Book to learn more about our students.
Institute Welcomes New Staff Members
To accommodate the recent doubling of enrollment to 80 students, the Institute is pleased to announce the addition of six new members to its staff. “Attracting talented professionals is key to building a high-performing organization, and I am delighted to welcome this exceptional group of individuals to our team,” said the Institute’s director, Dr. Michael Rappa, at a ceremony today marking the end of fall semester. “As the Institute enters its next phase, the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) has quickly ascended to become one of NC State’s largest and finest graduate degree programs. The success of Continue reading “Institute Welcomes New Staff Members”
Director Speaks on Big Data Talent Shortage
The Institute’s director, Dr. Michael Rappa, spoke today in Washington, DC with senior IT executives across Federal agencies and state government about the looming talent shortage in Big Data. The panel included Jeff Butler, Director, Research Databases, with the Internal Revenue Service and Micheline Casey, former Chief Data Officer, State of Colorado. This past summer Dr. Rappa served as academic co-chair of TechAmerica Foundation’s Big Data Commission, which examined strategies for transforming government through the application of Big Data.
MSA Applications Rise Sharply
The Institute is now accepting applications for the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) Class of 2014—to become the seventh cohort of students admitted to the Institute since its founding in 2007. We anticipate another round of well-qualified applicants seeking to secure one of 80 available seats. Although its still early in the process, applications submitted to date are up 286-percent and application starts are up 87-percent over the same period last year. Prospective students are encouraged to apply early. Admission decisions will be made on a rolling basis between January and April. The Institute will hold its next MSA information session on November 12.
MSA Receives High Praise
Writing in the October issue of Harvard Business Review, Thomas H. Davenport and D.J. Patil give the Institute’s groundbreaking Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) degree program high praise as one of only a few sources of talent with proven strengths in data science alongside Stanford, MIT, Berkeley, Harvard, and Carnegie Mellon. The HBR special issue on “Big Data” highlights the looming shortage of analytics professionals Continue reading “MSA Receives High Praise”
Big Data Commission Releases Report
The key to seizing on the Big Data opportunity lies in educating and training the workforce around analytics and data science, according to a new report released today by the TechAmerica Foundation’s Big Data Commission. The report, “Demystifying Big Data: A Practical Guide to Transforming the Business of Government,” provides the government with a comprehensive roadmap to using Big Data to better serve the American people. The Institute’s director, Dr. Michael Rappa, who served as Academic Co-chair of the commission, stated “The value of big data lies in our ability to extract insights and make better decisions. The acute shortage of analytics professionals and data-savvy managers will be addressed most successfully through creative partnerships between industry, government and universities. There are several efforts underway, but we must intensify and accelerate the national investment in proven models.” Continue reading “Big Data Commission Releases Report”
Practicum Sponsors Announced
The Institute is pleased to announce its practicum sponsors for the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) Class of 2013. The projects were selected from a record number of proposal submissions (40). Among the organizations sponsoring projects this year there are several returning from previous years as well as a host of new sponsors, including industry leading firms from across the country, and several state and federal government agencies. Projects come from a wide variety of areas including agriculture, education, energy, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, retail, sports, and telecommunications. This year’s sponsors are: Continue reading “Practicum Sponsors Announced”
Director Keynotes Wake Forest Retreat
The Institute’s director, Dr. Michael Rappa, traveled to historic Pinehurst Resort in the North Carolina Sandhills today at the invitation of the Wake Forest University faculty to be the guest speaker at the annual retreat of the School of Business. Drawing on his experience launching the Master of Science in Analytics, Dr. Rappa spoke about the Continue reading “Director Keynotes Wake Forest Retreat”
Institute Opens New Facility
This week the Institute celebrates the opening of its new addition on the fourth floor of the Venture 2 Building. The 6,500 square foot expansion includes offices, student workspaces, computing facilities, and a modern 84-seat classroom to accommodate the recent growth in enrollment in the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) degree program. Commenting on the occasion, the Institute’s director, Dr. Michael Rappa, said “The expansion represents the next step in the fulfillment of our vision for analytics. I am very grateful for the generosity of our benefactor, whose strong embrace of this vision helped make the expansion possible, and to the Institute’s dedicated staff, who labored long hours to ensure its timely and successful completion.” Continue reading “Institute Opens New Facility”
Braun Awarded AAUW Fellowship
Congratulations to Paula Braun, Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) Class of 2013, who has been awarded a Selected Professions Fellowship by the American Association of University Women (AAUW). An Ohio native, Braun graduated summa cum laude from the University of Toledo, where she completed a B.A. in women’s studies and M.S. in mathematics and statistics. Prior to joining the MSA program, Braun worked as an analyst with the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction in Baghdad, and the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction in Kabul. Continue reading “Braun Awarded AAUW Fellowship”
Practicum Call for Proposals
The Institute for Advanced Analytics invites interested organizations to submit a proposal to sponsor a student team project for the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) Practicum. Sponsors identify challenging business problems and share data for their team to analyze. The Institute can accept up to sixteen proposals this year. The proposal submission period is open now through July 31. To learn more about how to submit a proposal, please read the guidelines for Practicum Sponsorship. If you have questions, or would like to discuss a proposal in advance of submission, please feel welcome to contact the Institute’s director, Dr. Michael Rappa.
Wisner Awarded Ott Scholarship
Congratulations to Emily Wisner, Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) Class of 2013, who has been awarded the Ellis R. Ott Scholarship for Applied Statistics and Quality Management from the Statistics Division of the American Society for Quality (ASQ). Wisner is a 2011 valedictorian and summa cum laude B.S. graduate of NC State University, where she majored in Statistics and minored in Mathematics and Biological Sciences.