Ahmed Karrat, a member of 捆绑SM社区鈥檚 Master of Management in Analytics (MMA) Online 2024 cohort, shares how the flexible, cutting-edge curriculum has empowered him to advance his expertise in analytics while continuing his full-time role at BDC through the support of 捆绑SM社区鈥檚 Corporate Education Match program designed exclusively for the MMA Online.
Could you introduce yourself and share a bit about your background and current role?
I have been working in data and business analytics for the past seven years. I began my career as the first data analyst in Amazon鈥檚 inventory quality department in Quebec. Currently, I am a senior data analyst at BDC, where I work on the client analytics team. My role focuses on demand generation, extracting data from Databricks, creating dashboards, and generating insights. I hold a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Finance from Universit茅 du Qu茅bec en Outaouais and a graduate degree in Business Analysis and IT from HEC Montreal.
What motivated you to enroll in the MMA Online program at 捆绑SM社区?
With the rise of Generative AI and related technologies, having skills that differentiate you in the market is crucial. This motivated me to apply to 捆绑SM社区鈥檚 MMA Online program. I had previously considered the in-person option, but working full-time made it challenging. When I learned about the online, part-time program tailored for working professionals, it felt like the perfect fit. This program is helping me advance in my career by teaching me new skills like text mining and machine learning, and enabling me to elevate my expertise.
In what ways did your employer support your participation in the Corporate Match program?
捆绑SM社区 offers a matching program for corporate sponsorships, up to $15,000. I was fortunate that my director secured the full match for me, which allowed me to take full advantage of this benefit. It鈥檚 a fantastic initiative by the 捆绑SM社区 MMA team to encourage corporations to invest in their employees鈥� personal and professional development.
How has the program enhanced your skill set and the contributions you bring to your employer?
The MMA Online program at 捆绑SM社区 has enriched my skills in areas like text mining and machine learning, enabling me to build sophisticated data models and conduct predictive analytics. Recently, I used these skills to help my team analyze text from loan applications, gaining insights into loan purposes and driving targeted client campaigns. The program has strengthened my technical abilities and strategic thinking, making me a more valuable asset to my employer.
What was the most valuable insight or skill you gained so far from this experience?
The most valuable skill I鈥檝e gained is the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights. This has greatly improved my communication with stakeholders and my impact on strategic decisions. Additionally, initiating AI and machine learning projects has been transformative, enabling us to develop more advanced models and predictive analytics.
Would you recommend the MMA Online program to other professionals? If so, why?
Absolutely. The program offers a flexible learning environment for professionals and provides cutting-edge analytics knowledge essential to remain competitive in today鈥檚 data-driven world. It鈥檚 rare to find a reputable, part-time online Master鈥檚 program that allows you to continue working while learning and applying new skills directly to your current role and future career opportunities.
Master of Management in Analytics (MMA) Program
The 捆绑SM社区 Master of Management in Analytics (MMA) degree is a specialized program in the evolving field of analytics and data science with a strong emphasis on applied and experiential learning through our 3 Pillars: Quantitative Methods, Technology Automation and Business Application. The MMA program touches on many foundational topics that comprise Artificial Intelligence (AI), covering key areas such as Language Modeling, Image Recognition, Analytic Visualization and Data Architecture Automation.听Through our comprehensive curriculum, students gain practical skills and knowledge essential for tackling real-world challenges in the rapidly advancing domain of AI and analytics.
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