Specialized Master in Business Analytics
Testimonials / Career Outcomes

SMB-A Testimonials and Career Stats

Employers want business leaders with analytics skills who are data-driven decision-makers. Fisher's SMB-A degree gives you the necessary skills to make the transition.

SMB-A Career Outcomes, 2018-2022 Graduating Classes

 

The SMB-A program was one of the best decisions I've made in my career, both for professional and personal growth. From a professional lens, the graduate degree led to me being able to take the next step in my career as a data scientist. The SMB-A program challenged me to think and work harder than I had before, resulting in skills I use to this day and will use for many years going forward. The program's hybrid format was ahead of its time, and I cannot speak highly enough of the condensed 10-month timeline. The program faculty are some of the best I've worked with. For anyone looking to transition into an analytics career, or take the next step in their career that is already in data science, the SMB-A program is the perfect step for just that.

Josh Mark (SMB-A '19)Central Innovation Developer
Apple | Austin, Texas

 

Employers value Descriptive, Predictive, & Prescriptive Analytics coursework*

At Fisher, students taking analytics programming can expect to earn more than their counterparts without such coursework. Fisher students pursuing business analytics* have found employment at well-known organizations, including: 

AccentureConversantGE TransportationKalypsoPNC Bank
Alliance DataDeloitteGriefKeyBankPwC
AmazonDHL Supply ChainHuron Consulting GroupKPMGTelekon Malaysia
Capital OneEYIBMNationwideWorldpay
Cardinal HealthFDICJPMorgan Chase & Co.Plante Moranand more

The SMB-A program and its Capstone Project taught me how to apply analytics to real-world business problems. This experience led to an expansion in my current role with more data management and analysis-related responsibilities.

Alexandra Webel (SMB-A, MBA '20)Data Management and Strategic Analytics Vice President
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Columbus, Ohio

 

Peer/Alumni Networking & Career Management - Accelerate Your Career*

The Specialized Masters in Business-Analytics program intentionally consists of students from diverse quantitative backgrounds and levels of work experience. Your peers and faculty are a great resource to tap into as you also utilize Fisher's Office of Career Management and your career coach to reach your goals. Some estimates suggest that 70-80 percent of all jobs are filled through networking. As an SMB-A student, you'll be joining Ohio State's network of 580,000+ living alumni around the world. 

A Diverse class of students. SMB-A students have come from a range of firms, including Abbott Labs, Accenture, Alliance Data, Battelle, CGI, Cincinnati Bell, Department of Defence, Fidelity Investments, GE Aviation, Hexicon, Huntington, IBM, Infosys, Insight, JPMorgan Chase, L Brands, Lockheed Martin, PNC, P&G, Scotts, Sherwin-Williams, The Ohio State University, United States Air Force, United States Marines, and more.

Working professionals in fields such as; IT, computer science, or engineering utilize Fisher's analytics degree to move out of a technical role and into business management or accelerate their career trajectory. Math is an essential component of the program. Ideally, candidates would have clear quantitative skills on their academic transcript or through work experience.

Peers with Exiting Backgrounds - SMB-A Job Titles:

Administrative AssistantData ScientistIT Analyst/AssociateRisk/System Analyst
Analytics SpecialistData SpecialistInnovation LeaderScientist
Associate AnalystDeveloperJunior OfficerSenior Accountant
Business AnalystDevelopment RepLecturer/Assoc. ProfessorSenior Analyst
BI Developer/Mgr.Digital SpecialistOperations ManagerSenior Manager
Compliance AnalystDirectorPeople Analy. & Tech. InternStore / Restaurant Manager
ConsultantEngineerPlannerSupporting Analyst
CoordinatorFinancial AnalystProgram / Project ManagerUnderwriter
Cost AccountantFiscal OfficerPrincipalVP of Infrastructure Engineer
Data Analyst/Mgr.HR GeneralistResearch Analyst/Assist./Assoc.and more

* Data Source (2018-2020): undergraduate BA minors and/or SMB-A students.

Podcast OSUPODCAST: ALUMNI CONVERSATIONS WITH ACCENTURE CONSULTANT, MATT DAVIS, SMB-A '20

Matt Davis discusses pursuing his Specialized Master in Business Analytics (SMB-A) degree at Fisher and how it's helped accelerate his consulting career at Accenture. Don't miss his unique perspectives in this 32-minute podcast.

  • Part-time vs. full-time path
  • Support for active military & veterans
  • Discussion on program highlights and innovations
  • How skills gained in the program help with career advancement
  • Tips for prospective SMB-A students

Listen Now -  Alumni Conversations - Matt Davis, SMB-A '20

The Ohio State SMB-A program completely met my expectations for learning the fundamentals required to lead data science and analytics programs successfully. The well-rounded curriculum covered the technical qualifications and the business skills needed to be an executive in today's market. The virtual environments were user friendly, full of great content, and allowed for collaboration on group projects. The professors were amazing, and at all times, I had nothing but pride in my choice to learn at The Ohio State University.

Brian Van Bibber (SMB-A, MBA '20)Associate Partner and Delivery Executive
IBM Global Business Services

 

I credit Fisher's SMB-A program for my career advancement! Shortly after graduating, I accepted a role with a national brand in their analytics department. I use my knowledge and experience from the SMB-A program on a daily basis in this role; what I learned has been extremely applicable in the real world. I look back fondly on my time in the program, as I established friendships and professional connections that last to this day, and the program was structured but flexible enough to allow me to reside and work full time out of state, but earn a well-respected degree from The Ohio State University.

Chris Owens (SMB-A '19)Analyst, Data Science
Domino's | Ann Arbor, Michigan

 

What I liked most about Fisher's SMB-A program is the fact that it is technical and hands-on. I also appreciated that it could be completed in less than a year while working full time. I learned a lot about analytics.

Michael Khoury (SMB-A '20)Senior Manager - N. America Customer Supply Chain Analytics
Procter & Gamble | Cincinnati, Ohio

 

There are plenty of coding "experts" with a certificate who will happily apply any model you ask them to without understanding WHY. At the other spectrum, you have managers who love pie charts and think that predictive analytics works like a magic eight ball. One of the most intensive educational programs you will go through in your career will prepare you to be a fully data literate manager who can have a meaningful conversation with his analytics team. Meanwhile, you'll possess the sharp business acumen to ensure your team's projects bring value to the company.

Marek Šimon (SMB-A '19, MBA, PhD)Technical Product Manager
ASK Chemicals | Dublin, Ohio