Career Questions: What Makes Business Analytics a Good Career Path?

In this article...

• What is business analytics?
• What does employment in business analytics look like in the next decade?
• What types of skills do business analytics professionals need?
• What types of jobs can I get with a business analytics degree?
• Why study business analytics at Kogod?

What is business analytics?

Business analytics is the practice of evaluating data to gain meaningful insights to improve business decisions. Business analytics professionals—who include data analysts, data scientists and analytics managers—use data-driven tools such as statistical models to improve organizational performance.

What does employment in business analytics look like in the next decade?

The demand for skilled business analytics professionals is growing rapidly, with job growth projected to increase by up to 36 percent over the next six years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupations that help optimize a company’s systems and operations, such as data analysts and operations research analysts, will continue to advance in the marketplace.

Like most professions, AI and machine learning is significantly impacting business analytics. AI technologies, such as DataRobot and H20.ai, are helping create new, more strategic roles by automating data collection— and requiring new, technical skillsets, as well.

What types of skills do business analytics professionals need?

To successfully navigate today’s AI-focused environment, business analytics professionals need a combination of technical expertise and analytical soft skills. Several skills business analytics students should prioritize developing include:

• fluency in SQL, the coding language of databases (one of the most important tools in your analytics toolkit)
• knowledge of AI concepts, including natural language processing (NLP) and predictive modeling
• an understanding of statistical languages, including R for statistical analysis, Python for general programming, and machine learning algorithms
• data visualization skills to ensure data is presented in a concise way
• strong communication skills to ensure all players understand insights and can put recommendations into practice

What types of jobs can I get with a business analytics degree?

A business analytics degree will prepare you for a wide range of data-focused and business-oriented roles. Several of today’s most lucrative and in-demand business analytics positions (and their responsibilities) include:

• data scientist: collects and interprets data using qualitative analysis
• data analyst: evaluates data to propose solutions for business problems 
• data engineer: builds and maintains the infrastructure that supports data analytics
• data architect: designs and implements secure data management systems

Business analytics is especially versatile because multiple industries utilize it to drive their decision-making. Analytics roles span the tech and software, consulting, finance, and healthcare industries, with top employers including Google, Meta, and the “Big Five” consulting firms.

Why study business analytics at Kogod?

Kogod’s STEM-designated MS in Analytics program centers on teaching essential AI concepts and tools, such as prompt engineering and programming. You’ll also gain experience with R, Python, and AI/ML Models, as well as hands-on experience with the analytics practicum, which challenges students to use real data to solve business problems.

“Business analytics is a thriving career path at the intersection of data, technology, and decision-making,” says Gwanhoo Lee, Department Chair of Kogod’s Information Technology and Analytics department.