Hartford Business Journal

26 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | NOVEMBER 13, 2023 FOCUS: BUSINESS SCHOOLS UConn School of Business students used data analytics to help Connecticut Foodshare increase and improve donations. HBJ PHOTO | STEVE LASCHEVER Mining For Answers Colleges expand business analytics, data science programs to meet industry demand By Hanna Snyder Gambini hgambini@hartfordbusiness.com E ver-evolving technology and near-limitless information storage capabilities mean massive amounts of data are avail- able for companies and other organi- zations to analyze. That's created a significant need for business and data analysts and similar positions at companies large and small that are in search of a competitive edge. Employment in the data science field alone, which had nearly 169,000 U.S. workers in 2022, is projected to grow by 35% over the next decade, with more than 17,000 jobs available annually through 2032, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections. As of early November, job-search website Indeed.com listed 150 avail- able data analyst jobs in Connecticut. In response, colleges and univer- sities say they are seeing increased demand for data science and busi- ness analytics programs. The UConn School of Business has offered a master's degree in business analytics and project management since 2011, and has seen enroll- ment increase from 30 to nearly 400 students today. UConn also launched a data science master's degree program in 2022. Fairfield University launched a master's degree in business analytics in 2014-15, initially attracting mostly international students. In more recent years, the program, which has grown from 27 students in fall 2019 to 65 students today, has seen an increase in domestic enrollment. Fairfield also launched an under- graduate analytics program in 2020, which has grown from 107 to 381 students. Both schools' master's degree programs are attracting a mix of fifth-year students who just earned an undergraduate degree, and working professionals who have a few years of real-world experience under their belts, officials said. Quinnipiac University began offering a data science bachelor's degree last fall, while the University of Hartford launched an undergraduate data science degree in 2021. Christopher L. Huntley, a professor at Fairfield University's Dolan School of Business and former chair of the information systems department, said data analytics took off when companies realized they could gain operational and other efficiencies by analyzing all the data they collected from customers, suppliers and other stakeholders. Data is being used to try to increase sales, better target marketing campaigns, cut costs, among numerous other ways. Practical applications of data analytics reach into every industry, including health care, logistics, transportation, nonprofits, enter- tainment and many others, said Xinxin Li, academic director for the UConn School of Business' master's program in busi- ness analytics and project management. Many companies aren't just looking to hire business analysts, but are seeking professionals in their chosen field who have busi- ness analytics backgrounds, school officials said. Colleges are collaborating with the private sector and industry experts to develop curriculums that combine the use of statistics, algorithms and technology. Skills and courses taught in analytics programs include Python computer language, deep learning, predictive modeling, data and text mining, and visual, web and big data analytics. Education meets business A big part of data analytics programs, school officials said, involves connecting coursework to real-world experiences and partnering with employers. Fairfield University students have used data analytics to finish a symphony by Mozart. One student took photos of people shooting basketball free throws to craft "make- or-miss" predictions based on the form of the shooter. Fairfield University also has a co-op program where students are paid and work full-time on a project with companies like The Hartford, Synchrony Financial and IBM, said Philip Maymin, director of the college's business analytics program. UConn has long worked with companies like Stanley Black & Decker, Atlas Air, Henkel DATA SCIENCE MAJORS CAN LAND THESE TYPES OF JOBS: • Data scientist • Business system analyst • Data engineer • Data mining engineer • Statistician • Computer science analyst • Software developer • Database administrator • Data manager Source: UConn Christopher L. Huntley Philip Maymin Xinxin Li

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