Q: What is your background?
A: My interest in business analytics started when I saw how much clearer decisions became with the right data in front of you. That realization came to life when I joined Digital Mojo as a business analyst. What began as analyzing marketing and sales data quickly turned into uncovering the stories hidden behind the numbers. I worked with clients to transform complex datasets into clear insights by building dashboards, measuring campaign performance, and identifying trends that shaped business strategy. It was rewarding to see how a well-designed analysis could turn uncertainty into action and help organizations make more confident decisions.
The more I worked with data, the more curious I became about the methods and tools behind those insights. I wanted to move beyond reporting results and develop the expertise to solve larger, more complex business challenges. As I considered the next stage of my career, pursuing a graduate degree in the United States felt like the natural next step, an opportunity to deepen my analytical skills, gain a global perspective, and continue growing in a field that I had become genuinely passionate about.
Q: What led you to the D'Amore-McKim MS in Business Analytics?
A: What initially drew me to D'Amore-McKim was the flexibility of the MS in Business Analytics curriculum. I knew I wanted to strengthen my analytics skills, but I also didn't want to limit myself to just one area. The program allowed me to customize my coursework and take classes in areas like supply chain management, giving me the opportunity to develop a stronger, more well-rounded understanding of how businesses operate.
I also spoke with friends studying at Northeastern, who shared positive experiences about the learning environment and the opportunities available to students. Combined with the chance to study in Boston, a city I had wanted to live in since visiting as a tourist, D'Amore-McKim felt like the right place to grow both personally and professionally.
Q: How did the program help you put your analytics skills into practice?
A: One of the most valuable ways I was able to apply what I learned was through my capstone project with the Women's Tennis Association. I worked as a data analyst on a team tasked with improving a dataset containing nearly 60 years of historical data. Our goal was to identify and fill in missing values using reliable external data sources so that the organization could make better use of the data for future analysis.
As a client project, we had to navigate incomplete information and ensure that any data we added was accurate and valid. It was a challenging but rewarding experience that strengthened my data analysis and problem-solving skills. Working with a client and seeing how our work could support future decision-making made it one of the most valuable learning experiences of my time at Northeastern.
Q: How have you applied what you've learned outside the classroom?
A: I've developed a strong interest in supply chain management, so when the Graduate Career Center helped me secure a Community Impact Initiative, I was excited to put what I was learning in the classroom into practice. Through Progetto Guarcino, our team spent three months helping small and medium-sized businesses in Italy evaluate opportunities to export paper and food products to the U.S. We researched supply chain challenges, analyzed U.S. regulatory requirements, and developed recommendations to improve logistics and the overall export process.
The experience allowed me to apply concepts from my supply chain courses to a real business challenge while working with businesses in another country. I also collaborated with D'Amore-McKim MBA, MS in Business Analytics, and MS in Management students, which gave me the opportunity to learn from different perspectives and approaches to problem-solving.
Q: How has the Graduate Career Center supported your job search?
A: The Graduate Career Center has been a valuable resource throughout my job search. They've helped me refine my resumé, tailor applications for specific roles, and prepare for interviews. They've also connected me with networking and volunteer opportunities, allowing me to continue building experience and expanding my professional network while searching for full-time roles.
One of the most valuable experiences was the career management course I took during my first semester. Through workshops and feedback sessions, we practiced elevator pitches, improved our resumés, and learned how to communicate our skills more effectively. The feedback I received helped me become more confident and focused in interviews.
Q: Did any opportunities at D'Amore-McKim shape your career interests?
A: Working as a graduate assistant with the D'Amore-McKim admissions team was one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at Northeastern. Helping incoming students navigate the same transition I experienced felt like a full-circle moment, while the role also gave me insight into how university systems work behind the scenes. The experience sparked my interest in higher education and showed me how opportunities outside the classroom can shape your career in unexpected ways.
Q: What advice would you share with future students?
A: My advice would be to take advantage of the program's flexibility and be intentional about the courses and opportunities you choose. One of the biggest strengths of the MS in Business Analytics program is that you can tailor it to your interests and career goals.
Most importantly, stay open to new opportunities. You may come to the program with a clear idea of where you want your career to go, but experiences along the way can introduce you to interests and possibilities you hadn't considered before.
