"This is where the future is" – the accessible & creative world of analytics

It holds the key to success for organisations in every industry, and right now it seems to be on everyone’s lips: it’s analytics.

VU’s courses in analytics are proving this industry is not just for IT experts or numbers nerds – or people with a privileged past. Aside from high future job growth, what is it about this profession makes it increasingly accessible to people from all backgrounds and industries? 

We chatted to two analytics specialists from different industries and life stages, as well as an expert from Victoria University, to hear why their passion for analytics continues to grow.

As teacher Dr Maria Prokofieva begins talking about analytics, she lights up.

“Analytics creates certainty in a world of doubt," she says. “We’re drowning in data and searching for an anchor. Analytics is where the future is!”

Maria’s own lack of support as the only woman enrolled in her undergraduate degree helped shape her into the inclusive and creative teacher she is today. She describes her approach:

The whole point of education is experience – anyone can read a book to learn, but at VU we’re different. We want you to believe that you can do it. Other unis may take an elite approach, but at VU we raise you to the next level while supporting you at every step. You don’t need to be a genius to achieve great results. I also want girls and women to know they can enter the data science global arena.

Maria uses real organisational case studies, visualisation and a hands-on approach to prepare VU students for success.

“People expect to be bombarded by stats, but with practical examples we make it meaningful – who would’ve thought you could draw analogies between a pasta machine and analytics? Well, we can!”

Amanda Cole was looking for a course to help her improve her workplace’s performance in her health and safety systems role in the manufacturing and construction industry. She began with a single unit, and progressed to the Graduate Diploma followed by the Master of Business Analytics.

“The course teaches you how to get the story from the data,” she says.

In data visualisation everything corresponds and interrelates. I thought artificial intelligence and Python software were beyond me, but here I am excelling in it – the lecturers demystified the topics and dissolved my insecurities.

“When I enrolled, I thought I’d learn some new skills that would help me do my job better. I couldn’t have been more wrong. This course has challenged me in so many ways and has made me grow as a person.”

Sumanth Kovaithambi Mohandurai was running his family business – an independent secondary school in India. He knew postgrad studies in analytics would help him take the organisation to greater heights. He says:

I wanted to handle my own business analytics, and there’s great demand for analysts around the world.

"One of the best parts of the VU course is the significant SAP component and learning from teachers who are so skilled in it from their own professional experience.

"My studies have empowered me to confidently improve my business model in so many different ways.”

VU’s globally-recognised postgraduate courses in Business Analytics include the Graduate Certificate and Masters in Business Analytics. Several majors within the Bachelor of Business also incorporate analytics units.