Data, big and little, give businesses more information and insights than ever before. But data alone can’t inform smart decision-making; the value comes from people who are skilled in data analytics. The School of Business is working with industry partners to address the growing need for analytics-savvy professionals across a variety of business functions.
Joelle Starnoff-Loo was earning her undergraduate business degree with a concentration in HR management when one of Professor David Caughlin’s courses in HR analytics piqued her interest. She saw where analytics could inform real-world decisions and wanted a deeper dive into the subject matter. Her curiosity led her to be one of the first to pursue PSU’s HR Analytics Graduate Certificate. The certificate, composed of six courses over three terms, is one of the first of its kind in the country.
“The certificate was a great opportunity to foster my interest in the subject while also adding value to my skill set as a recent graduate,” said Starnoff-Loo.
The HR analytics coursework aligned well with Starnoff-Loo’s work experience and allowed her to promptly secure a job as an HRIS (Human Resource Information System) analyst with KinderCare Education.
“Engaging with analytics is a great way to embrace new trends in HR,” she added. “My time at The School of Business reinforced the importance of using robust information to make decisions and creatively incorporate data to serve businesses in new ways.”
HR Analytics Graduate Certificate students learn from simulated exercises that resemble tasks commonly asked of HR professionals. The ethical use of data and sensitivity to data privacy concerns are emphasized throughout the program.
As technology advances, Starnoff-Loo encourages other PSU students to gain actionable analytics skills as a way to broaden their options when seeking employment.
Analytics is infused across The School of Business at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, including the Business Intelligence and Analytics Graduate Certificate and recently enhanced analytics curriculum in the Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management. Fall 2019 will see a complementary program launched: the Business Blockchain Certificate.
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