“Data is the New Oil”

MSBA becomes my pipeline to mastering analytics

Blog
August 01, 2024
Yuna Kim MSBA 24

“Data is the new oil” is a phrase I heard often but didn’t fully appreciate until my experiences in traditional marketing research.

As I delved deeper into desktop research and focus group interviews, I became fascinated by the power of insights drawn from raw data.

This realization set me on a path from marketing to mastering analytics at UC Davis.

A Marketer's Curiosity Meets Data Analytics

My early work as a marketer involved understanding consumer behaviors and market trends through conventional methods like focus groups and surveys. While enlightening, I sensed a deeper undercurrent driven by data that could provide even more precise and actionable insights.

This intrigue led me to a role focused on online marketing, where I engaged directly with data through A/B testing.

The immediate feedback from these testings was exhilarating—being able to hypothesize, experiment, and see real-time results sparked a desire to dive deeper into the data-driven decision-making process.

MSBA students Yuna Kim, Bernardo Arambula, Daniela Mallard, and Sujai Adithya presented a pharmacy inventory dashboard to UC Davis Health Center, enhancing oncology medication management.

UC Davis MSBA: A Gateway to Tech's Heartland

My ambition to evolve from a marketer who uses data to a bona fide analyst led me to apply to the UC Davis Master of Science in Business Analytics program.

Influenced by the Graduate School of Management’s renowned academic rigor and the MSBA program’s prime location in San Francisco's tech hub, I was drawn to be at the heart of technological innovation.

Attending tech summits and walking past the headquarters of the world's leading tech companies, I envisioned myself deeply engaging with the local tech scene.

Practicum Project: Visualizing Solutions in Healthcare

The UC Davis MSBA sharpened my data skills through the unique year-long practicum project that was both a challenge and a highlight of my studies.

Our team partnered with UC Davis Health Pharmacy to automate the consolidation of large datasets and developed an analytics dashboard focused on optimizing medication inventory and supply management.

This project extended beyond the theoretical; it involved creating real-time visualizations that not only enhanced operational efficiencies but also significantly reduced medication wastage and dramatically improved patient care.

Our team developed and implemented 25 new metrics to monitor real-time inventory levels, automating data analysis and reporting processes. Best of all, UC Davis Health is implementing our solution!

group of people holding up certificates — Yuna Kim (fourth from left) and teammates Ian Chen, Amber Sillis (fifth and sixth from left), and Minh Nguyen (not pictured) commemorate their win in the UC Davis Aggie Hackathon with the University of California Investment Director Craig Huie, MSBA Executive Director Eric Duarte-McDermott, and City & County of San Francisco Chief Data Officer Michelle Littlefield, (left to right).

Aggie Hackathon 2024: Saving Lives in San Francisco

UC Davis MSBA offers numerous opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real-life problems, often through direct collaboration with real companies—beyond the practicum projects.

For example, I participated in the Aggie Hackathon 2024 with my team, Code Blooded, and we proudly secured second place!

This hackathon was an intense challenge. Teams had 48 hours to apply machine learning techniques to develop a predictive model and improve traffic safety and operational efficiency in San Francisco.

It was also a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with MBA student Minh Nguyen, who joined our team and brought diverse perspectives and skills to the project.

This deadline-driven team effort showcased our ability to tackle real-world issues under pressure and produce impactful solutions for the hackathon sponsor, the City of San Francisco, to use to save lives.

UC Davis’ Nurturing Support Network

The Graduate School of Management made me feel at home as an international student by hosting engaging cultural events that celebrated diversity and fostered a sense of community. Each resource was a stepping stone towards becoming the professional I aspired to be.

UC Davis provided a supportive community with personalized mentorship, skill-enhancing workshops, and career services that connected us with diverse industry opportunities.

If you're driven by curiosity and inspired by the potential of data to transform industries, UC Davis is your gateway. You’ll gain the tools to innovate and join a community that fosters growth, embraces diversity, and propels you toward your career goals.