Explore business analytics career paths, roles, skills, and certifications.
A master’s degree in business analytics can lead to many different career paths. Some analytics professionals build predictive models. Some create dashboards and reporting systems. Some advise companies on strategy. Others apply analytics within a specific industry or build the AI and machine learning systems behind modern products.
The MSBA is designed to help students turn data into decisions, strategy, and business impact.
This guide organizes MSBA career opportunities into five pathways based on the type of work you may want to do.
Start with this question:
HOW DO YOU WANT TO USE DATA?
THE DATA SCIENTIST
You build models that predict, explain, and improve business decisions.
You may be a strong fit if you:
• Enjoy statistics, modeling, and machine learning
• Want to answer complex business questions with data
• Like finding patterns others may not see
• Want to work in predictive analytics, experimentation, or applied science
Common roles:
Data Scientist, Predictive Analyst, Quantitative Analyst, Applied Scientist, Decision Scientist, Research Scientist
Skills to build:
Statistical modeling, machine learning, Python, R, SQL, data wrangling, experimentation, model evaluation, data storytelling
THE BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE ANALYST
You make data visible, understandable, and useful for decision-makers.
You may be a strong fit if you:
• Like dashboards, reporting, and business metrics
• Want to help leaders understand performance
• Enjoy turning raw data into clear insights
• Want one of the most accessible entry points into analytics careers
Common roles:
Business Intelligence Analyst, Data Analyst, Reporting Analyst, Analytics Engineer, BI Developer, Insights Analyst
Skills to build:
SQL, Tableau, Power BI, Looker, dashboard design, data modeling, ETL foundations, business metrics, stakeholder communication
THE
CONSULTANT
You solve business problems companies, industries, or
Problem framing, quantitative data visualization, executive client communication, management, business
CAREER PATHWAYS
ANALYTICS
CONSULTANT
problems across or functions.
strong fit if you: your work ambiguous business recommendations analytics, strategy, communication
Data Analytics Analyst, Management Analytics Analyst, Consultant quantitative analysis, executive storytelling, communication, project business strategy
RANGE: ****
4 5
THE DOMAIN SPECIALIST
You apply analytics within a specific industry or business area.
You may be a strong fit if you:
• Know the industry or function you want to work in
• Want to become the data expert within a specific field
• Are interested in marketing, finance, health care, or analytics
• Want to combine technical analytics with deep business knowledge
Common roles:
Marketing Analyst, Supply Chain Analyst, Health care Analyst, Revenue Operations Analyst, Pricing Analyst, People Analytics Analyst, Operations Research Analyst
Skills to build:
SQL, statistical analysis, forecasting, domain-specific metrics, business communication, industry tools, data visualization, optimization
THE AI/ML ENGINEER
You build and deploy the models, pipelines, and systems that power AI.
You may be a strong fit if you:
• Want a highly technical analytics role
• Enjoy coding, machine learning, and software systems
• Want to build AI-powered tools or products
• Are interested in data engineering, MLOps, NLP, or GenAI systems
Common roles:
Machine Learning Engineer, AI Engineer, Data Engineer, MLOps Engineer, Applied
ML Scientist, AI Product Engineer, NLP/ GenAI Engineer
Skills to build:
Advanced Python, machine learning, ML infrastructure, MLOps, data engineering, SQL, Git, cloud platforms, model deployment, software engineering basics
• Data Analyst
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Data Scientist
• Predictive Analyst
ENTRY-LEVEL ROLE EXAMPLES
MSBA graduates may pursue roles such as:
• Marketing Analyst
• Financial Analyst
• Health Care Analyst
• Analytics Consultant
CERTIFICATIONS TO CONSIDER
• Data Engineer
• Machine Learning Engineer
• MLOps Engineer
Certifications can help students demonstrate tool fluency and career focus. They work best when paired with a project, portfolio, dashboard, model, or technical example that shows the skill in action.
Strong starting certifications
• Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
• Tableau Desktop Specialist
• Microsoft PL-300 Power BI Data Analyst
• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Analytics and consulting certifications
• Certified Analytics Professional
• Tableau or Power BI credentials
• Domain-specific analytics certificates
AI/ML and data engineering certifications
• AWS Machine Learning Specialty
• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
• dbt Certification
• Databricks Certified Associate Developer
How to Use This Guide
You do not need to choose your final analytics role today. Analytics careers often overlap.
• A BI analyst may grow into analytics engineering.
• A data scientist may move into consulting.
• A marketing analyst may become a director of analytics.
• A machine learning engineer may become a head of AI.
• A domain specialist may become the analytics leader for an entire business function.
Use this guide to identify the type of work that interests you, the skills employers expect, and the next steps that can help you prepare.
Suggested Next Step
Choose one or two pathways that sound most aligned with your interests. Then, search for related roles on LinkedIn, Handshake, or another job platform.
As you review job postings, look for:
• Common job titles
• Required technical tools
• Repeated programming languages
• Dashboarding or visualization platforms
• Certifications
• Portfolio expectations
• Business functions or industries
• How employers describe the work
Those patterns can help you decide which skills, projects, electives, and experiences to prioritize.
YOUR CAREER PATH DOES NOT HAVE TO BE LINEAR
Graduate business careers are rarely one straight line. Your first role may help you discover what you want next. The most important step is to understand the kinds of work available, identify the skills employers value, and begin building toward the direction that fits your goals.
The David Eccles School of Business provides career resources, employer connections, experiential learning opportunities, and academic preparation to help students move from interest to opportunity.
Ready to explore your next step?
Connect with our admissions team to learn more about the program, application requirements, and how this degree can support your career goals.
