By Ellen Foord

Speaking nearly perfect English through a subtle, yet noticeable accent, photographer Can (pronounced “John”) Ahtam sits in his office at Bentley's Office of Graduate Admissions and describes his first experience with a camera as being, above all else, about capturing differences.

“To a kid, everything is different,” he says. “You can’t comprehend and ask questions about why some things are different. As a kid, it was just, ‘That seems interesting to me. I should take a photo.’”

Ahtam has come a long way from those early days of childhood questions. The trials, tribulations, and triumphs from childhood through the completion of his MBA degree in marketing at Bentley have created an introspective and analytical photographer who views the world through a marketer’s eyes, with a healthy dose of skepticism and cynicism thrown in.

The Early Days

Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, Ahtam has come a long way from those first snapshots with a disposable camera, a gift from his mother. With a following on Instagram that currently exceeds 189,000, Ahtam has garnered critical acclaim and social media "influencer" status for his distinctive composition and perspective. His Instagram profile (@canahtam), entitled “Squares from my life,” is full of lush landscapes, bird’s-eye-view cityscapes, and eye-catching portraits. 

“I was fortunate enough to travel a lot with my family to countries around Europe and Africa, and of course, the Americas,” says Ahtam. “That gave me a different understanding of the world we live in and unintentionally, you compare your culture to others and try to seek out the differences and different understandings. That drew me into documenting the differences I observed visually by photography.”

Though his parents offered plenty of opportunities to develop a wide array of hobbies, the only interest that ever stuck was photography.

“I was never keen on collecting stamps or old money, or anything for that matter,” says Ahtam. “But photography is a collection for me. It’s more to pursue and learn more about different people and places. Photography is a broader hobby than just photographs themselves.”

Culture Shock

As Ahtam aged, his passion and level of experience with photography grew, and he progressed from disposable cameras to a DSLR. Schooled through his undergraduate degree in Turkey, Ahtam continued to refine his photography skills on the streets in Istanbul throughout his undergrad years.

“In Turkey, I was able to capture portraits. Candid shots, really rich in essence,” he says. “If I took a photo of an elderly gentleman at a mosque, he would come up to me and say, ‘I saw you take a photo of me, can I see it?’ There was genuine, welcoming interest. It was always this welcoming environment that sparked interest in others and supported photography.”

Upon his arrival in the United States, Ahtam says he experienced a great culture shock. “When I came here, people were so protective of their image, they would draw back when I went to take a photo. They would come up to me and say, ‘I don’t like that, delete it.’ Very suspicious and private. It’s fully understandable. People have their choices in life. If they want to be photographed, fine. If they don’t, I have to respect that.”

The Age of Instagram

Though he'd been refining his skills as a photographer for some time, Ahtam didn't make an immediate leap to some of the new visual platforms that began to emerge. For someone who currently has such a vast following, Ahtam says he was initially disinterested in Instagram when it first emerged.

“To me, Instagram was instant, and DSLR wasn’t instant. I had to download and edit and send it to my cell phone. It took some time,” he recalls. “Within my mind, it never occurred to me that I could post to Instagram with my DSLR photos. Instagram was meant for cell phones.”

With no knowledge about hashtags, geotags, or engagement via liking or commenting, Ahtam’s initial experience with Instagram was just for fun, to see what else was around and be inspired. Luckily, a few friends more interested in the platform convinced him to utilize his DSLR photography on his profile. He began to take the platform more seriously as an avenue for not only photography, but also connecting with the larger worldwide community.  

Fully Entrenched: Instagram’s Insta Culture and Community

After completing his undergraduate degree, Ahtam made the move to Boston to get his MBA at Bentley. Upon his arrival, Ahtam says he discovered several communities, such as @IGBoston and @IGersBoston, who were hosting "instameets."

“That was my chance to get involved with the community around me. It grew on me and I said, ‘I'd like to be a part of this,’” Ahtam recalls. “I wanted to grow myself and see what else was out there and do more. I became more social through Instagram.”

Initially, the dynamics of Instagram were somewhat mystifying. With a natural inclination to portrait photography, Ahtam was frustrated by how poorly portrait shots were received on the platform.

“When Instagram was established, portraits didn’t get as many likes as a New York City rooftop shot,” he says. “It was demotivating for me. I feel like a portrait can tell a bigger story than say, for instance, Acorn Street. Acorn Street is, still to this day, the most photographed street in the U.S. but it’s only one street.”

Eventually, Ahtam took a more pragmatic approach to the content in his profile, posting the requisite number of “classic” shots, such as cityscapes, in order to grow his following. “It’s sort of a game to me,” he explains, “when you are trying to get different levels by posting the right thing, and then you can move on to the next level.”

Of course, being immersed in Bentley’s graduate program in marketing was a leg up on the social media learning curve. “I learned about social media through different courses and panels at Bentley, as well as meetups and networking,” says Ahtam. “Marketing is to connect. I show interest in others, so that they will show interest in me. I interact.”

An Ephemeral Juggernaut and Life, Uncomplicated

Though Ahtam admittedly invests considerable time in the Instagram community, he is decidedly unattached to the permanence of the platform. “As an instagrammer I don’t see myself as valuable in that ‘Oh, we’re changing the world’ kind of thing,” he says. “There’s the ‘influencer’ idea, but this is a momentary thing, it’s instant. I strongly believe that Instagram is a trend . . . It’s going to lose interest or something else is going to come along.”

Ahtam is similarly dismissive of the power of Instagram to magnify creative potential. “I would say there’s a narrowing (of creative possibility) through trends . . . each trend that comes out, it becomes the same thing. I see so many trend-followers. Which isn’t to demean their work, obviously they’re putting in a lot of effort into it. Art is always appreciated.”

But, he says, with each trend, users need to put their own unique spin on a trend. “You have to find your inner self. Put yourself out there and say, ‘What have I done to make this different and appealing?’”

When asked how he decides what to shoot and what to post, Ahtam’s answer is surprisingly straightforward. “I like easy to digest photos. I don’t like complicated photos,” he says. “Life in itself should not be complicated. People take joy in complicating tasks and life. I try to find the simplicity in life.”

From Istanbul to Boston: The Journey to Bentley

Like his attraction to simplicity in photography, Ahtam’s attraction to Bentley’s MBA program was uncomplicated. Ahtam’s undergrad campus was 40 minutes outside of Istanbul, in a small town surrounded by forests, and in his search for an MBA program, he was looking for a school with a similar feel. Ahtam’s sister was living in Boston, working at Harvard, and had invited Ahtam to live with her. The matter of which school fit best down to the campus and the community.

“One of the biggest elements that drew me to Bentley was the campus,” says Ahtam. “Waltham is about 20 to 30 minutes outside of Boston, and it has a campus environment. And the culture here, where interaction matters a lot and the community aspect matters a lot — I said to myself, ‘This is the university where I want to go.’”

After successfully completing his MBA at Bentley and spending a year working at corporate giant Coca-Cola, Ahtam found himself back on the job market.

“As a marketer and a true business person, I always imagined myself in a large global conglomerate, working. Possibly still doing photography on the side,” says Ahtam. “Luckily, when I was looking for my next job, Bentley was looking for someone in graduate admissions. In some ways, I feel that there’s more value in selling an education. You get to change someone’s future. That’s why I’m here at Bentley — I’m a product of the school.”

The marketing savvy Ahtam gained from his Bentley education has served him well, both in his career and in his photography and Instagram philosophy. For someone like Ahtam, the sky is the limit, in terms of opportunity. But for a man who so reverently values community, it was Bentley’s unique collective that drew Ahtam back from the corporate sphere, back into the campus and culture that remind him of home.

How To Be an Effective Community Member on Instagram

Ahtam isn't a proponent of telling anyone how to take photos, and believes that the number of followers is irrelevant. Instead, he recommends the following tips as the best ways to be an active, engaged member of the Instagram community.

1. Ask the question “Am I a good fit for Instagram?”

2. Take the first step: Set up the profile, write a nice bio. Be welcoming. People want to see that you aren’t a cold-hearted person. Do the warm, friendly stuff, but don’t be fake. Be real.
3. Post whatever you want on your profile and post a reasonable amount. But don’t overload! Limit posting and hashtags. People are already bloated from too much content. You don’t want followers to get sick of you. Post maybe one to three photos a day. That also helps you focus on your content and interactions.
4. Show interest in others and show up for insta meetups. Don’t just let the community hang in social media, go out and shoot with them in person. You’ll gain friends and learn from your fellow photographers.
5. Be humble. Always remember not to be snobby. These people like your work and follow you because of it, but if you are snobby, they’ll unfollow you in a second. Recognize and appreciate your followers. Always reply to comments and messages.

By Tosa Two Heart

As a second year Emerging Leaders MBA student at Bentley, I have found that time goes by fast. Looking back at the past year, there are three things that have described my experience:

1. Putting in the effort

I came to Bentley to be a good student and to learn as much as I can. I felt that, if I didn’t work hard, I wouldn’t be taking full advantage of my classes. I didn’t come from a business background, either as an undergraduate major or in work experience. Therefore, most if not all business concepts I’ve encountered at Bentley were fresh to me.

Being a full-time student, my logic was to treat my program as a job. I would spend most days on campus in the library, giving myself one or two days off. This enabled me to focus on coursework and to try to build a foundation of what I was learning, as well as to push myself further to master as much of the material as I can. This is not to say I was perfect. Which brings us to my second point.

2. Making Mistakes

I have made a lot of mistakes. It really is important to learn how to study smarter, not harder. I had to adapt many of my study strategies throughout the last two semesters. The most difficult part is not knowing what the professor expects until after the first midterm. After getting your first real grade back, it becomes easier to self-evaluate and adjust. Each professor has their own communication style. I had to roll with the punches, do the best I can, and ask a lot of questions. Fortunately, in the last semester I was able to excel in most of my classes.

My strategy for this year is to keep efficient communication with my professors and continue to make my coursework my first priority. This year, I have found some ambiguity in what the professors expect from group work. Even more challenging is that group work is the bulk of my grade in three out of the four classes I am taking. However, it’s crucial to take a step back and be kind to ourselves. I think we only have the capacity to do our best and, without making mistakes, we can’t learn to do better. I look forward to my future mistakes; they are where the seeds of new wisdom lie.

3. Taking a Breath

The Bentley University campus is beautiful and serene. I am so glad that I chose to come to such a quiet and tranquil campus. When I am not in classes or in the library (my second home), I can’t help but notice nature. These are moments where I stop and take a picture to appreciate the little things in life. This helps me take myself out of my own worries and remember how great it is to be where I am at today. Next spring, I will graduate. I will no longer be able to call myself a graduate student. I want to enjoy my time here while I can, and look back on my memories of Bentley as positive and life-changing.

Value Colleges has named Bentley University’s Master of Science in Business Analytics number 12 in its national rankings of Top 50 Best Value Big Data Graduate Programs of 2016.

In determining the rankings, Value Colleges examined regionally accredited colleges and universities, taking into account Payscale’s 2015-16 College Salary Report, U.S. News & World Report’s rankings, and the institution’s actual cost (reported from institution website) as key metrics. This methodology was aimed at providing “a trustworthy balance of educational quality with affordability and job marketability, making every college and university on our list a best value.”

Value Colleges’ ranking on Bentley University praised the MSBA program:

“Business is what Bentley University is all about, ever since its founding as an accounting school a century ago. Bentley has not stayed in the past, though; their nationally-ranked, top 10 graduate programs explicitly focus on the transformative power of technology in business, with specializations in areas such as human factors, marketing analytics, and more. That commitment to the future of business includes a Master’s in Business Analytics that prepares graduates for work in business data, and Bentley’s reputation in the Boston and greater New England area means graduates will find their degree worth quite a bit more than the sticker price. With a healthy mix of traditional-aged students and working adults, some with more than 10 years of experience, Bentley gives students a realistic picture of work.”

Bentley’s MSBA program continues the university’s long tradition of training analytics professionals at the graduate level, providing the valuable tools needed to succeed in this emerging field. The Bentley MSBA offers strong, hands-on exposure to key analytics methods through a core curriculum. On top of this foundation, candidates are able to choose to focus on specific domain areas of interest, such as business processes, finance, management or economics. MSBA candidates at Bentley develop skills in advanced statistics, machine learning and data mining, plus programming and data management. In addition, they hone their presentation, communication and data visualization skills, and gain a better understanding of how to leverage analytics for business decisions.

Not surprisingly, Bentley graduates are among those top employers seek out when they’re hiring. Typical job placements include financial institutions such as Bank of America and Fidelity Investments, health care organizations such as Partners HealthCare, database marketing and market research firms such as Digitas, Epsilon, Calexus and Predilytics, analytics groups in leading corporations such as Deloitte, and consulting firms such as the Boston Consulting Group, D50 Media, Chadwick, Martin and Bailey.

International Graduates Can Now Stay in U.S. Longer

Bentley University’s graduate Analytics and Technology master’s degree programs — Business Analytics, Human Factors in Information Design (HFID), Information Technology (IT) and Marketing Analytics — are now all classified as STEM certified.

The much sought-after STEM designation is part of a U.S. Department of Education initiative designed to improve students’ skills in science, technology, engineering and math — vital subjects known together as STEM.

The designation also has international implications, in that foreign students undertaking a STEM degree are eligible for an extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) period. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student’s major area of study. Under the prior rules, an F-1 student could be authorized to receive up to a total of 12 months of practical training either before and/or after completion of studies. 

“International students are an important part of the Bentley community,” says Sharon Hill, assistant dean and director of graduation admissions at Bentley’s McCallum Graduate School of Business. “As the global marketplace expands, we are focused on bringing in the most talented students from abroad, and this will help that effort immensely.”

“With a STEM degree, international students will now have the ability to extend that training period by 24 months — meaning they can stay and work here for a total of three years,” says Hill. “This can really help students in terms of getting valuable professional work experience and, perhaps the ability to work with their employer on obtaining an H1B more permanent working visa.”

Bentley’s McCallum Graduate School of Business offers a distinctive combination of academics, technology, and hands-on experience, alongside access to a nationally ranked Career Services office and an alumni group that spans the globe. An MS in one of our analytics and technology programs provides an educational fusion of data and business, giving you the tools needed to master information, integrate it into successful business practice, and communicate the results like never before.

Anne Halsey PMBA ’17 grew up in a small town, where the only after-school jobs she had to choose from were working at the general store, slinging pies at the local pizzeria or doing landscaping. Always a competitive spirit, she chose landscaping, an unlikely path for a 5-4, 110-pound teenager.

For five years, Halsey worked outside, specializing in perennial gardening. It was challenging for sure, but the grind eventually took its toll, and she started to consider what she might do for a permanent career.

“After looking at all my options,” she recalls, “finance provided me all the things I wanted out of a career: mental challenge, stability, and the ability to support myself.”

Halsey enrolled at the University of New Hampshire, where she earned a degree in business administration, accounting and finance. She eventually landed a position with NxStage Medical Inc., a leader medical technology company that specializes in products and services for people suffering from kidney disease. In her role in financial planning and analysis (FP&A), she supports NxStage’s international division regarding pricing decisions, contract implementation, revenue and OPEX (operating expense) forecasting, as well as monthly reporting.

“Understanding the value of a dollar and all its possibilities is why I love the FP&A field,” says Halsey. “Knowing what that dollar represents, what it can be, and the different options you have when acting on that dollar makes the difference between a successful business and a hobby. In the FP&A field, the opportunity is there to see the impacts of a business decision from inception to implementation and how that hard-earned dollar is put to use.”

Halsey’s competitive spirit soon took hold again.

“This drive to succeed and broaden myself in my career is what ultimately drove me to pursue my MBA,” she says. “It also helped that my younger sister Amanda, is currently working toward her PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado. My competitive side could not have my younger sister being a full two levels of education above me. Being one level below her is already a concession I have come to accept!”

Working Around a Full-Time Job

With a master’s degree in her sights, Halsey started the process of narrowing down her choices of school. Finding a program she could complete while working full time was a key factor.

“As part of the dynamic International division at NxStage medical, my schedule is not always predictable and I often work long hours which would make it difficult to adhere to a classroom only atmosphere,” she says. “This limitation made it clear during my grad program search that, if I wanted to earn an MBA while working, I needed a program that gave me the freedom to meet the demands of my current career while still providing a robust educational experience. These are the things which drew me to the Bentley Professional MBA program.”

The flexibility paid off for Halsey, who sometimes finds herself taking Bentley classes while on assignment on another continent.

“Bentley’s combination of interactive online streaming and on-campus lectures provides the flexibility to earn a world-class education while maintaining a meaningful career,” she says. “I’ve been able to attend class real time while traveling internationally. Just this past summer, I was able to attend a Negotiating class while on a business trip in London. Although the time difference makes things interesting, I was able to meet the requirements of my job, without sacrificing my education.”

Keeping the Cup Full

Halsey’s work on NxStage’s international team has her working with clients and colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds. It’s one of the biggest challenges of her day-to-day role, but also one of her favorite aspects of the job.

“The most successful people I have encountered in my career have a true sense of perseverance,” she says. “When everyone views the glass as half empty, these people see the glass half full then immediately plan on how to fill the remaining half to the brim.”

And while she keeps her life, and career, filled to the brim, Halsey credits Bentley with giving her an education that’s prepared her for whatever comes next.

“The combination of flexibility and quality is something the Professional MBA program at Bentley reliably delivers to its students,” says Halsey. “To me, the Bentley PMBA is the embodiment of freedom for the working professional.”

By Harish Kondreddy

Making the transition to graduate school doesn’t have to be a challenge. I came to Bentley University a year ago to take part in the Emerging Leaders MBA program from my home in India. Getting used to my new life was a bit of a transition, but it was also a fresh start. New acquaintances soon turned into new friends, and my coursework and life in the U.S. produced many positive experiences. Reflecting on all that happened in my first year of graduate school brings back a lot of emotions of nostalgia and excitement for the future. I now feel very close to my new life experiences at Bentley and to achieving the goals I set for myself.

It wasn’t always easy, however. I went through an emotional phase for a couple of months being away from my family. But the vibrancy of Bentley’s professors and my fellow MBA students enabled me to soon get comfortable. Now, Bentley feels like my second home. I think my successful transition can be traced back to six things.

1. BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH NEW SURROUNDINGS

I started to understand American culture by attending various events put on by Bentley’s Cronin Office of International Education. Attending campus tours of the library, the Trading Room, classrooms and other centers brought me closer to campus —just by being more familiar with my surroundings. Eventually, my days started rolling with classes and I got busy with assignment deadlines and course readings. The first year is full of outside the classroom activities like the Great Gatsby Gala, Boston Duck Tours, all of which are outlets to de-stress from busy student life. In the winter, when snow fell on campus, I enjoyed some fun snow play with classmates — not something I can always do in India!

2. DIVING INTO CLASSES

My economics, finance classes and Wall Street Journal article-analysis sessions paved the way for me to learn business knowledge while improving my critical-thinking abilities. One class in particular, “Strategic Information Technology (IT) Alignment,” enhanced my understanding of IT in business contexts and the “Leading Responsibly” course improved leadership traits with group activities.

3. GETTING INVOLVED OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

I started getting emails from various student organizations asking me to join and participate in technical events, workshops and student organizations. I joined the Bentley Analytics Society and Graduate Management Organization to help fellow students meet people from business world improve their networking and share our professional IT work experience. Through these organizations, I improved my soft skills, met new friends and learned to work in teams.

4. TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CAREER SERVICES

By attending Graduate Career Services (GCS) career workshops, I mastered the job-hunting process, giving me an edge when interviewing for a job. The workshops allowed me to hone my skills to suit job changing needs. The amazing people at GCS listened to my problems and provided specific suggestions, helping me change my approach to the early stages of a job interview. Also, Bentley academic advisers helped me choose courses that were relevant to my long-term goals and vision.

5. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK

With the help of one of my professors, I got the great opportunity to attend and volunteer for an Open Data Science conference at Boston. It helped me meet innovative data scientists and get to know new technologies in the field. Meeting professionals at networking events, and attending meetups in Boston and Cambridge made me more aware of American corporate culture and relevant job opportunities, and helped me to get into my desired summer job to implement classroom learnings to real-time situations.

6. PUTTING MY EDUCATION INTO PRACTICE

There’s plenty to learn in graduate school, both in and out of the classroom. I got an internship as an analyst a financial tech startup. There, I learned how to perform statistical analysis in choosing company stocks and diversification of portfolios. Corporate finance and investment courses in my first year quickly taught me the financial jargon and application of theoretical knowledge needed to understand business requirements.

During the summer, I worked on financial planning of retirement savings, comparison of mutual funds, and auto industry stocks analysis to develop portfolios for clients. My experience with case studies and group projects helped me a lot in my role analyzing the financial statements and asset portfolios of clients. Working on Bloomberg Terminals and FactSet software at the Trading Room helped me to monitor real-time stock market data and assess risks in different assets. I learned the business process to model the assets and get returns above industry average.

By Kristen Walsh

Many finance jobs require forecasting the future, and like forecasting the weather, there’s always room for error. But rain on a beach day is less devastating than investing millions into a project that’s going to fail or wrongly valuing a business before a buyout. That’s why companies are hiring employees with financial modeling skills.

“Making a good financial decision requires not only an understanding of financial concepts but also an ability to think logically and break down complex problems into simpler steps using computer models,” says Bentley Finance Chair Kartik Raman.

It’s the reason that more and more jobs in financial services are relying on extensive computer financial forecasting models and software development, according to according to Assistant Professor of Finance Chenguang Shang, who teaches a graduate course in financial statement analysis and financial modeling at Bentley, starting in fall of 2016. Finance faculty members met with employers and Bentley alumni in the financial services sector to discuss the need for talent when it comes to advanced financial modeling and Excel skills.

Part of Bentley’s Master of Science in Finance curriculum, the course will begin with financial statement analysis, a critical component in corporate finance. The second major part of the course is financial modeling, which aims to help students apply basic corporate finance theories and financial models to practice using sophisticated Excel techniques.

“Students will learn to apply Excel to major subject areas in finance, including the time value of money, equity valuation, stock portfolio development, and options,” says Peter Siy, senior lecturer in finance, who pioneered a similar course at the undergraduate level. “Computer programming and coding using Excel spreadsheets will help them design codes and macros to automate these models.”

Visual Basic programming skills, he adds, are in high demand in the industry. “Students need to understand the theory of finance and when they have that down, need to be able to use all the available technological tools at their disposal.”

Moving beyond theory

When it comes to financial modeling, Raman says that the challenge comes with developing models that will minimize errors and those estimates. “That’s where critical thinking and rigorous testing of models comes into play.”

In theory, it’s about looking at given variables and solving a problem. But life doesn’t work on theory; in practice, many financial decisions are based on expectations of the future.

“You need to make adjustments to models to reflect the frictions in practice and unknown variables,” Raman says. “This requires coming up with reasonable assumptions, then testing out whether those assumptions are meaningful and how sensitive the model is to change with these assumptions.”

The hands-on experience students gain from Bentley’s modeling course will help fill a gap between finance theories and real-world problem solving, says Shang. “Technology has become a crucial part of the business world, and this course offers an excellent opportunity to help students implement financial models in Excel.”

Highly application-oriented and Excel intensive, the course isn’t easy. But Siy says that it “absolutely gets students prepared.”“Students live in Excel and VBA in this class and I see them much more comfortable in a computing environment by the time they finish.”

Even if you’re not part of the business world, you’re still confronted daily by the idea of data. Data is everywhere. Without even trying, you generate data just by visiting Facebook, doing a Google search, sending a tweet, or downloading an app.

Data represents a potential gold mine of information—one that can give businesses a competitive edge if they can master the art of gathering it, analyzing it, and putting it to good use. The past few years have truly seen data analysis go mainstream. More and more companies are using it to further their reach, boost sales, operate more efficiently, and introduce new products and services.

Skilled business analysts power these data-driven business decisions. People who are both naturally curious and trained in data analysis can have a huge impact on a business, driving important decisions that improve internal operations or identify future opportunities that could spark new growth. The rise of big data has led to a boom in business analytics careers and, along with that, a growing number of people seeking an MS in Business Analytics. In fact, Glassdoor identified data scientist as one of the “25 Best Jobs in America for 2016” with an above-average median salary of $116,840.

The question is: What can you do with an MS in Business Analytics? Let’s take a look at five business analytics career paths and which one might be best suited for you.

Download What Are The Top 17 Careers In Big Data? to find out the skills and average salary associated with the most in-demand business analytics careers.

5 Growing Business Analytics Careers

1. Data Scientist, With An Emphasis On Computer Science

Some people who enter the field of analytics are particularly interested in the technical side of the job. These data scientists work closely with databases and coding, high-performance computing and parallel processing, and machine learning. Such tools make it possible to process data (manipulate it with computers) and organize data (classify data sets); machine learning is used to create predictions that can be leveraged for business purposes.

Data scientists also use a variety of tools for data visualization. The ability to present hard data and analysis in the form of charts and tables (i.e., in a way that everyone can understand it!) is especially important in the business world. Skilled data scientists are also continually striving to keep current on new and emerging tools that can help them do their job better, like Python, Spark, Scala, and Julia, to name just a few.  

Many people who go on to get an MS in Business Analytics and are interested in this part of the field have backgrounds in engineering, mathematics, or accounting. They enjoy combing through data and using statistical tools to uncover patterns.

2. Data Scientist, With An Emphasis On Analysis

Not all data scientists are created equal. Some people who enter the field have a greater interest in analysis and modeling than they do in computer science. Compared with the previous type of data scientist (which is heavy on computer science), this path focuses more on math and statistics. With excellent knowledge of statistics and coding skills, these data scientists build complicated models and simulations in a big data environment.

Bentley students who are excited by this career path may be interested in any of these data science electives:

• Web-Based Application Development
• Data Management Architectures
• Business Intelligence Methods & Technologies
• Object-Oriented Application Development

3. Quantitative Analyst/Modeler

“Quants,” as they are sometimes called, typically work in the financial industry and use data and data modeling to help manage risk. They often use data models to support investment decisions, which leads to more reliable and consistent results.

People who choose this track typically have backgrounds in mathematics, science, computer science, or engineering. Here, employers are looking less for people with traditional business analytic skills and more for those with an aptitude for scientific thinking. The ability to work with mathematical models is more valuable simply because it offers more concrete results—and avoids the risks associated with human reasoning.

Bentley students who are interested in this area of business analytics might choose to take any of the following electives:

• Investments
• Fixed Income Valuation & Strategies
• Equity Valuation
• Derivatives

4. Data Business Analyst

While data scientists are primarily concerned with generating actionable information in the form of data, a data business analyst uses that information to generate insights about the business.

This career path appeals to people who are seeking a blend of business-related tasks and data analysis. Inquisitiveness and the ability to see the big picture are typical characteristics among people in this field. A data business analyst is knowledgeable about the technical components related to managing and manipulating data but is also active in utilizing data to solve a company’s problems.

A data business analyst might be able to discern relationships among certain variables or identify potentially meaningful patterns within data. Observations such as these could provide a better understanding of business conditions or point to future actions that would benefit the company. Like a quantitative analyst, a data business analyst is likely to work closely with business VPs and senior managers to provide decision support in the form of predictions and optimizations, and their discoveries could impact almost any area of a company, from product development and customer service to internal operations and marketing.

5. Business Analyst Manager Or Consultant

If being a leader suits you, you may be interested in becoming a manager or a consultant in the field of business analytics.

People in these roles have a good grasp of the technical tools and methods that make up the foundation of data analytics, but they do not deal with these aspects regularly. Instead, they direct business efforts related to data gathering and processing, generate big-picture insights together with their data team, and work with leaders in other areas of the company to implement these data-driven changes.

In this case, business skills such as communication, leadership, and strategic thinking are important. Managers play a major role in moving their organizations forward by addressing difficult business challenges, exposing new opportunities, and driving future change.

Bentley students who are interested in management usually elect to take classes in:

• Negotiating
• Leading Change
• Leading Effective Work Teams
• Leading Responsibly  

Business Analytics: Titles Vs. Roles

The field of business analytics is attracting new people every day. It’s exciting and important work, and, for many people, encompasses a variety of tasks and job duties. The Bentley MS in Business Analytics program further encourages students to hone in on their interests by selecting elective courses in various professional areas, from finance, to information, management, to marketing.

However broad the duties of a business analyst may be, you should be thoughtful about choosing a specific career path—and aware of the disparity in job titles. Careers in business analytics are wide-ranging and varied, but that reality isn’t always reflected in job titles. A job simply labeled as “data scientist” could mean almost any version of the areas above, depending on the company and its needs. Beyond knowing what you want out of a job, it’s important to be sure that your prospective employer wants the same thing.

There’s no getting around it: Switching careers at any age is a challenge. That wasn’t always the case (think the hiring frenzy of the late 1990s), but today, most companies are doing more with less. Technology and outsourcing have led to smaller teams, with virtually no negative impact on the bottom line. On top of that, most employers are unwilling to take a chance on someone who hasn’t already succeeded in the exact same role somewhere else.

The good news is, it can be done. And if you’re around age 30 — carpe diem! Wendy D’Ambrose, Bentley’s director of graduate/alumni career advising and employer outreach, says that changing your career at 30 gives you the very best chance for success. Why? Job seekers at this age are still relatively young in an employer’s eyes, but typically have meaningful work experience that demonstrates their competency. The longer you wait, the harder it gets.

Whether you are still deciding on a career change, choosing a new career, or already know exactly what you want, take control of the process now. One or more of the five strategies below will put you on the path to the next step of your career.

5 Strategies For Changing Your Career At 30

1. Go to graduate school.

Attending graduate school is the easiest way to make what D’Ambrose calls a functional job change. Changing the essence of what you do — for example, switching from a marketing role to a finance role — constitutes what she calls a “Level 3” or “Level 4” job change, which are the hardest kinds to achieve. (A Level 3 change means a new job function within the same industry; Level 4 is a new job function in a new industry.)

Still searching for a career you love? Download this free ebook to find out if you’re ready for your MBA and the career doors it will open for you. 

Because employers prefer to hire candidates with work experience that matches the job opening, attempting to get a job in a completely different field is an uphill battle. However, getting an MBA or an MS in the functional area you’re after gives you in-depth exposure to it and some degree of “experience” to draw on for your job search.

2. Find opportunities within your current job to get experience in the field.

If you want to make a functional job change but you don’t have the resources for graduate school, look for experience closer to home. Search for ways to gain experience in your desired field at the place you’re already working. For example, if you’re currently in marketing but you want to move into finance, start networking with people in the corporate finance department of your company. Also, pitch the idea of helping on a special project that will connect you to finance for the purpose of expanding your skill set. Offer to put in extra time at the office if need be. Your involvement will show potential employers that you have actively pursued your interest and have some practical knowledge of the field.

3. Network like crazy.

Behind every network of connections is a hidden job market. People tend to do business with others they already know and like. Keep in mind that it isn’t about meeting more people — it’s about meeting well-connected people and showing how you can help them. To make this strategy work for a functional job changer, first consider what you have to offer, then identify the people who can actually help you. (In other words, is the head of finance the right fit, or is the HR person more likely to be helpful?)

4. Mine your alumni network.

Many people underestimate the power of their alma mater’s alumni connection. Most colleges invest a substantial amount of resources in bringing together current and former students through formal events, databases, and outreach personnel like D’Ambrose. People who went through the same college experience as you will be more inclined to have confidence in your abilities, which is a necessity if you’re making a big change in your career at age 30.

D’Ambrose says that, very often, students don’t utilize alumni networks to their full potential. She recalls one Bentley graduate who said she was using the Bentley alumni network— but only those people she already knew. That’s a mistake. “All of her Bentley alumni friends are young, like her. She should be reaching out to any Bentley alumni in a senior position in an organization she wants to be in. Bentley helps Bentley. If you do it in the proper way, someone will give you a break.”

5.  Join a professional association. (Or more than one!)

Almost every career or industry has a professional association, so find it and join it. To make the most of your membership, participate in the activities, which may include everything from conferences and workshops to networking events and social media groups. It may also give you the opportunity to cultivate valuable skills to build your resume.

One final thought: Before investing too much time in any of the above, D’Ambrose advises to research the job you think you want. She’s come across many people who are misinformed about the realities of a job or choose a field that has less-than-bright prospects for future growth. Use all the information available to decide on a career change — then make your move.

If you’re currently deciding on a career change and would like to find out more about Bentley’s MBA and MS programs, check out our website or contact us.

By Ted Houseknecht and Jessica Demmer 

As we sat at our respective undergraduate graduations, neither one of us could have imagined heading back to school for a fifth year to pursue our MBAs. As all of our friends were starting their careers, it felt like we were falling behind by remaining in school. Even though this was far from the truth, it was still difficult to get back into the school mindset.

All of our concerns faded away as soon as we walked into Bentley University’s Emerging Leaders MBA orientation. Ted earned his undergraduate degree from Bentley, and Jess received hers from the University of New Hampshire. Separately, we both decided to attend the orientation even though it was not mandatory. We met a great group of people who were all going through the same transition, feeling many of the same concerns. It was like freshman year of college all over again, with a little less anxiety.

Orientation was a fun, activity-filled adventure. One of the highlights was going to the Warren Center, a retreat conference center about 25 miles from campus. Here, we all engaged in fun, team-building activities that required each of us to work together and communicate to accomplish a common goal, providing a great chance to really get to know one another. Afterward, we continued the team bonding at one of the local restaurants on Moody Street in Waltham. Overall, orientation was a huge success and really got both of us excited to start the program. 

Adjusting to a New Routine

Twelve weeks later, we are done with our first semester. The time has flown by, and we are finally adjusted to our new routines. The school work is challenging, yet manageable, and we have both been able to find a balance between school, work, and our personal lives.

As we talk to friends who are experiencing the uncertainty of the working world or navigating new careers, we are both very happy that we have a little more time to transition, and really hone into what we want to do for a living. Bentley has been a great guide for the both of us, helping students forge their desired path through numerous services offered, including GCDI (Graduate Career Development Course), which focuses solely on personal career development.

We sat down recently to reflect on our Bentley adventure. 

What was your background before Bentley?

Jess: I’m a New England Native and have lived in Bolton, MA, most of my life. I did my undergrad at UNH, where I was a psychology major and a business minor.

Ted: I grew up in a small town in Western New York. When I was looking at schools I was drawn to everything there is to do around the greater Boston area. As an undergrad student, I attended Bentley, where I was a finance major.

Why did you decide to go back for a fifth year to pursue your MBA?

Jess: I knew I had wanted to get my MBA but at first I was not sure when I wanted to do it. After talking with a lot of my family and friends they said that they wish they had gone right after school because once they were out and working, they did not have the motivation to go back. I decided that since I was already in the school mindset that it would be in my best interest to do it as soon as possible.

Ted: I chose Bentley for undergrad with the intention to go right on and pursue my MBA. The university makes it very easy to seamlessly transition from undergrad to grad school, even allowing you to take some grad classes if you have space in your schedule during senior year. By taking those courses, and being waived from the foundation courses, I will be able to complete my program and graduate in one year. This is important to me, as I am planning to return home and work for my family’s company following graduation, and I did not have a lot of time to spare.

What are your career aspirations?

Jess: Eventually I would like to be the head of strategy for a marketing department at a b2b software company. I would like to end up in either Boston or San Francisco.

Ted: Building off of why I decided to pursue my MBA, my family owns and operates two small companies that I plan to help manage following graduation this coming May. During my time at Bentley in undergrad, I was able to secure three internships, at Merrill Lynch, Compass Group, and Fidelity Investments, and I am looking forward to taking what I learned from those experiences back to our company.

How have some classes so far helped you toward your goals?

Jess: Right now I have been taking some core classes and haven’t started taking any in my concentration yet. But I would say that the “Leading Responsibly” class has helped me gain a better understanding of my leadership style, which will be really important when I am in an upper-management role.

Ted: One class that stands out is “Business Process Management.” This course taught us how to analyze processes and realize efficiencies, which I know will benefit me as I move forward with my career.

What has been challenging in the program so far?

Jess: I only got waived out of three of my foundation courses so I had to take accounting. I really dislike accounting so for me that has been difficult. But overall, the course load has been really manageable.

Ted: Similar to Bentley undergrad, there is a significant amount of group work during grad school. I think the biggest challenge has been trying to schedule group meetings with graduate students who have much busier schedules with work or family than most undergraduate students do.