Gordon Linhoff, author of several widely read textbooks on data analysis, including Data Mining Techniques and Mastering Data Mining spoke today to the MSA Class of 2009 at its openning session. Linoff is co-founder of Data Miners, Inc., a consultancy with clients in banking, media, telecommunications and pharmaceuticals. Linhoff highlighted the numerous kinds of business problems in marketing and customer relationship management addressed today with data mining tools. Also speaking at the opening session was Dr. Herbert Kirk, a respected NC State alumnus, who serves as a member of the Institute’s Executive Board, and long-time veteran of SAS Institute. Dr. Kirk, who is SAS Education Vice President, provided students with an overview of Advanced Analytics.
MSA Enrollment Jumps by 50%
The enrollment of thirty-five students this month represents a growth of fifty percent over last year’s class. The growth in enrollment lifts the MSA program into the top-five largest M.S. degree programs at NC State—in terms of the number of degrees conferred annually—in only its second year of operation. The maximum capacity for the program is forty students. The Institute expects to reach full enrollment capacity in 2009, and will begin to evaluate the potential for expansion beyond 40 students in 2010. The MSA program maintains a mailing list for prospective applicants, which provides a good indication of the potential volume of future applications.
Perfect Job Placement Record
The Institute is pleased to report that each member of the MSA Class of 2008 has received one or more offers of employment within 90-days of May graduation. On average, students had six job interviews and two offers of employment; the average salary offer of $83,567 is among the best results for M.S. degree programs at NC State University and comparable to the average starting salary for MBA graduates nationwide. Although the employment situation for new graduates, in general, is expected to be soft through 2008, the picture for MSA graduates remains promising. Continue reading “Perfect Job Placement Record”
Mostek Joins Staff
The Institute is pleased to announce that Anthony Mostek has been appointed Outreach Coordinator with primary responsibility for overseeing the Analytics Practicum. Mostek served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force from 1999 to 2007, stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington. From 2003 to 2007, he served the Air Force as an assistant professor in the ROTC program at Duke University, instructing students in Continue reading “Mostek Joins Staff”
Students Celebrate Graduation
Congratulations to the inaugural Class of 2008 on the successful completion of the degree requirements for the Master of Science in Analytics! The spring commencement exercises of North Carolina State University were held today under a beautiful blue sky. MSA students celebrated the occasion at a luncheon reception held for family and friends in the courtyard of the Venture complex on Centennial Campus. Students were commended for their hard work and dedication to their studies, and for the spirit of camaraderie with their fellow students in meeting the challenges they faced over the past ten months. Our best wishes go out to all of them!
Students Attend SAS Global Forum
A large group of MSA students will travel to San Antonio, Texas this week to attend the SAS Global Forum. SGF is the premier event for SAS professionals worldwide, offering an abundance of educational and networking opportunities over four days beginning March 16. Petr Husták (MSA candidate, class of 2008) will present his paper titled “Range Formats Made Easy – CreateRangeFormat Custom Task for SAS Enterprise Guide”. Petr, who is a native of Prague in the Czech Republic, was named as a SAS Student Ambassador and awarded a travel grant to attend the meeting.
Green Honored at Awards Reception
The annual “Awards for Excellence” reception for the Office of the Provost was held today. Included in the Provost’s list of eight nominees to be honored was Kathy Green, Associate Director for Administration of the Institute. Kathy was cited by the Provost for her dedicated service to the university, for the instrumental role she played in marshalling the MSA proposal through the approval process in record time, and her indefatigable spirit in getting the Institute off the ground the past two years.
Spring Break?
It’s spring break week and the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) students will skip the annual migration to southern beaches, and instead dive into a three-day, intensive bootcamp to hone their communication skills. In today’s competitive marketplace employers seek the best analytical talent. But to be truly productive on the job, analytics professionals must also possess strong communication skills—to be able to effectively present the results of complex analytical work to senior management and non-technical clients. MSA students voted collectively to forgo their spring vacation in favor of investing the time and effort in bolstering their communication skills with the guidance of an industry trainer.
Trustees Approve Expansion
The NC State Board of Trustees has approved a proposal to expand the Institute that would double the size of its facility on Centennial Campus to 8,000 square feet. The new space will allow the Institute to consolidate its operations into a single location on the fifth floor of the Venture 2 Building. After the retrofit is complete, the facility will accommodate offices for faculty and staff, a 45-seat classroom, work areas for students, and a data center. The Institute is slated to occupy its new home in August 2008, and will allow the Master of Science degree program to double its current enrollment capacity of two-dozen students.
Students Support Children’s Hospital
MSA students led by classmate Sean Harris contributed a record amount to the 24th Annual Pack-A-Thon, which raised a total of nearly $7,000 in support of the NC Children’s Hospital. Sean spent the day on February 9 with students from across campus helping to raise awareness about the importance of children’s health and the quality of life for children and family at the hospital. The MSA Class of 2008 joined together to support Sean’s effort with their contributions. Thanks to everyone for their generosity.