Careers in Business Analytics
Career Pathways
Business Analytics is a field that focuses on big data and business intelligence, bringing together topics such as AI, ML, data pipeline, IT systems, blockchain, marketing intelligence, and digital strategy to solve real-world problems. Common positions in the field include analysts and associates in consulting firms, business analysts, and data scientists in the fields of financial, supply chain, marketing, information technology, advertising and media, and other professions where a deep understanding and practical application of data analytics are required.
If you want to get your foot in the exciting business analytics career door, a B.S. in business analytics can
help get you there. Here are 11 career paths you might want to consider.
Average salary: US$110,739
Where you can work: Large tech customer-facing companies or companies that offer a data-based service (Apple, Microsoft, Accenture).
Machine learning engineering is a specialist role still in its infancy. Machine learning engineers collaborate with the organization’s data science team to build programs and create algorithms to deliver data-driven products and services that enable machines to make decisions, take action, and enhance user experience without any human interference. An example of this would be self-driving cars and personalized social media news feeds.
Machine learning engineers generally come from a mathematic, physics, or statistics undergraduate
background with a specialized master’s or PhD.
Average salary: US$116,710
Where you can work: Public or private sector companies.
You’ll need superior analytical skills, an eye for detail, and sophisticated design skills as you fulfill the strategic needs of the organization.
Average salary: US$73,054
Where you can work: Various sectors, including education, finance, health, environment, sport, transportation, market research and the government.
Statisticians compile, analyze, and evaluate quantitative information from surveys and experiments in order to help organizations reach operational standards and advise on practical solutions to problems.
Relevant qualifications and industry experience are essential if you want to work in this field.
Average salary: US$60,208
Where you can work: Various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, consulting, finance, education and the government.
Average salary: US$159,149
Where you can work: Corporate IT departments, consulting, finance.
This executive-level position demands an expert-level knowledge of technological trends and how they can be implemented in building business strategies. Chief technology officers are masters of strategic thinking and conducting technological analysis as they look at ways in which they can ensure the organization stands out in an ever-increasing competitive marketplace.
Strong leadership and organizational skills are essential in this role as you lead your team and consider which technologies are best to harness in order to ensure a positive user experience and efficiency across all areas of the business.
Average salary: US$180,458
Where you can work: Banking, corporate IT departments, consulting, finance, healthcare facilities.
In 2012, only 12 percent of Fortune 1000 companies had a CDO. Within six years, 67.9 percent of surveyed firms reported having a CDO, according to Forbes. It is the chief data officer’s responsibility to strategically oversee the organization’s data and generate business value from what could be the organization’s most valuable asset.
Chief data officers are business-focused and have excellent expertise in IT. Relevant qualifications such as mathematics and statistics, plus a specialized master’s and industry experience, are all essential if you want to become a chief data officer.
Average salary: US$112,871
Where you can work: Software development firms, corporate IT departments, and computer manufacturing companies.
In this fast-paced role, application architects need excellent technical vision, the ability to provide valuable insights and solutions to software development, use, and maintenance, as well as strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
Every day, they carry out a wide variety of tasks such as creating new and improved applications, developing prototypes, running software tests, and creating technical documents for application software.
You’ll need proven programming language and architecture design skills and experience, as well as relevant qualifications and industry experience. A master’s in business analytics and big data, for example, will equip you with the ability to rethink and rebuild products, services, and processes as well as solve user problems using advanced analytics and relevant data insights.
Average salary: US$73,901
Where you can work: Construction, engineering, IT, and marketing.
Average salary: US$63,120
Where you can work: Finance and insurance, consulting services, manufacturing.
Market research analysts compile complex reports, spreadsheets, surveys, and opinion polls in order to gather and evaluate significant market intelligence that can help an organization market their product or service in the best way possible. Data can include consumer demographics, spending habits and sales trends, needs, interests, and preferences.
Market research analysts need a good working knowledge of statistical software and techniques in order to monitor and forecast the effectiveness of such strategies.
Average salary: US$53,552
Where you can work: Finance, insurance, and consulting services.
As organizations continue to turn their attention to advanced and novel technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to leverage success and improve business efficiency, business/analytics translators are filling the gap between an organization’s business team and technology team.
An organization’s business team and technology team can be at opposite ends of the spectrum, causing confusion, miscommunications, and in some instances, massive errors. Business/analytics translators work to ensure the focus stays on the organization’s values and objectives but are data-savvy enough to understand and liaise with those in the data science team. Business/analytics translators then confirm the ‘roadmap’ for going forward.
Average Salary: US$88,779
Where you can work: IT departments, finance and e-commerce, retail, transport services, healthcare services, academia and the government.
Career Resources and Services
The field of business analytics is witnessing worldwide growth since data analytics is now instrumental to the success of all mainstream business functions.
Career prospects in the business analytics area are forecasted to be strong, with business analyst jobs predicted to increase by 22% by 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Moreover, according to a recent McKinsey & Company big data report, by 2030 the United States alone could face a shortage of 140,000 to 190,000 professionals with deep analytical skills, as well as 1.5 million managers and analysts with the know-how to use the analysis of big data to make effective decisions.
Cal State East Bay's Office of Academic Advising and Career Education offers career management services to B.S. in Business Analytics students. The full suite of career services includes:
CAREER COACHING
Our diverse team of dedicated career coaches actively guide and coach students on their career paths and put together a plan to achieve their goals.
PORTFOLIO AND RESUME
Students will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with career coaches to build a strong resume and portfolio that demonstrates their story, skill sets, and strengths.
MOCK INTERVIEW EVENT
Career center invites top employers to campus to conduct mock interviews yearly with students. Students are given the opportunity to refine their interviewing skills and network with a community of San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley-based leaders.
CAREER WORKSHOPS
Workshops covering a variety of career skills are offered throughout the year for students to attend and
build their career toolkit alongside their academic curriculum.
RECRUITMENT EVENTS
CSU East Bay connects top talent with recruiters and San Francisco Bay Area-based tech leaders.
Business Analytics students have been recruited from world-leading companies, such as Adobe, Amazon, Apple, Bank of America, Facebook, Google, IBM, Intel, JP Morgan, Kaiser, SAP, Tesla, Uber, Visa, Wells Fargo, Workday, Zoom, and more.