Shifting sectors with the Master in Business Analytics and Big Data

3 min read

A Venezuelan national with a passion for business, Michael Wille was always blessed with an international outlook. Having sought out educational opportunities in both the United States and Germany before even arriving in Spain, his philosophy is clear: “I see the world as a big opportunity and want to meet people from everywhere.”

Michael originally majored in business in the US at Miami Dade College, before making the switch to Spain to complete his bachelor’s in business and management. As part of this program, he enjoyed enriching internships with his university’s department for innovation and also spent time at a consulting company working on design concept projects across South America and Spain.

During his studies, he quickly became aware of the burgeoning role of technology and data in the business landscape and, citing a desire to stand out from the crowd when applying for work, he began to gravitate toward studies in the field of data science.

Intrigued by the potential of data analytics, he enrolled in the Master in Business Analytics and Big Data program at IE University.

Michael considers the greatest benefit the program afforded him was a change of outlook: “Now I would say I have a data-driven mindset, a different way of thinking when I see a business problem,” he says, calling his time at IE University a crucial step in preparing him for a career in the business world.” The program exposed Michael to various aspects of data analytics, including machine learning, reinforcement learning, and AI. The comprehensive curriculum covered a host of areas including retail, marketing, operations and healthcare, allowing the students to tailor their learning experience to specific interests. Perhaps most vitally in terms of his future profession, though, Michael says he acquired a skillset which gave him the confidence to bridge the gap between technical and business-focused roles.

Following graduation, Michael was fortunate enough to land a role at Deloitte, where he now works in finance transformation. “We work with our clients’ finance departments, helping them analyze and redefine their operational models,” he explains.

In this sense, the program has already served him well and he underlines the significant impact that big data is having on the financial sector:

He goes on to explain how big data also contributes to improving customer experience and preventing fraud and money laundering through transaction monitoring, all of which are areas covered during the program.

Michael cites “IE University’s reputation as a top-ranked business school” as one of the main reasons he opted to enroll here, alongside the emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, with initiatives like the Venture Lab. He wasn’t disappointed either, lauding the expertise of the teaching faculty and reveling in the chance to “learn from people working in the field.”

Coming from a multicultural background himself, he thrived on the opportunity to connect with individuals from a broad range of nationalities and cultural settings. Plus, the chance to live and study in Madrid—a hub for numerous multinational corporations—presented abundant future career opportunities.

Michael would encourage anyone considering signing up for the program to seize the opportunity. He underlines how the practical approach has given him valuable, hands-on experience that he has been able to apply in his current role with Deloitte. He also reiterates how the various projects, competitions and extracurricular activities offered by the university enhanced his learning experience.

His best advice for new students? “Get involved, join clubs, connect with people outside of your program and have an open mind and a willingness to learn; the faculty will help you but you need to say yes.”