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Experts in big data to help DCOB celebrate ‘Business Analytics Day’ Oct. 4

Business Analytics — examining large data sets to uncover hidden patterns, unknown correlations, market trends, customer preferences and other useful business information — is one of the fastest-growing fields in the business industry today. Most companies are data rich but lack insight into it. They are seeking ways to leverage big data and turn it into an insight that will help them make sound strategic decisions.

Dr. Vikas Agrawal Associate Professor of Business Analytics
Dr. Vikas Agrawal,
Associate Professor of Business Analytics

“There is a massive shortfall of people who can work with big data in the industry today,” said Dr. Vikas Agrawal, Associate Professor of Business Analytics. “If there is one field where students can always find a job, that would be Business Analytics, irrespective of the industry they are working in. Business Analytics is considered a new normal,and everyone is expected to possess these skill sets.”

The Davis College of Business is celebrating Business Analytics Day from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, to promote awareness about the field among students. The college has invited two professionals from the industry to conduct sessions in DCOB 171/174.

The first speaker, Andre de Waal, is a Senior Analytical Training Consultant from SAS, a leading business analytics software and services company. He will hold his session from 9 to  10 a.m., discussing the idea of big data, and will give a short demo showcasing how SAS can be used to visualize big data and see hidden patterns. He will also be discussing what sort of job opportunities exist in this area and why it is important for students to have business analytics skills under their belt.

The second speaker is Michael Hendrix, Technical Director at CSX Technologies, who will provide an overview of big data and how CSX is creating opportunities to drive business value in this area. He will conduct his session from 10 to 11 a.m.

The Davis College of Business offers a major and minor in Business Analytics. Interested candidates should contact Dr. Angela Mattia at amattia@ju.edu or Dr. Vikas Agrawal at vagrawa@ju.edu.