Ram Singh M’24 recently accepted a job offer, thanks to the knowledge he gained from his Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) from the Barney School of Business.
Singh is from India, and as an international student, it can be intimidating to acclimate to not only a new campus, but a new culture. However, he made the most of it by getting involved on campus as the secretary of the Rotaract Club, where he participated in various community service activities. He also volunteered during international student orientations and move-in events, and participated in all programs organized by International Student Services. One of his favorite experiences was volunteering at two midnight breakfast events, especially the second one, where he had the opportunity to work alongside and interact with the interim president, Stephen Mulready M’77, saying, “It was a memorable and enriching experience that deepened my connection to the University.”
Singh’s volunteer work does not stop with UHart; he has always been passionate about volunteering. He has been involved in various organizations like the Connecticut Immigrant and Refugee Coalition and the Refugee Women's Center. He says these experiences have allowed him to contribute to social causes and stay connected to the community.
Singh chose to pursue his MSBA because he has felt aligned with data since his childhood. He truly recognized his potential when he began preparing for his MBA entrance exams and realized that data tables and graphs seemed to speak to him most. “During my professional career, I taught myself various tools, especially Excel, for data analysis. However, during the pandemic, I realized that I needed to dive deeper into data, so I decided to pursue a formal education in business analytics. I'm happy I made this decision, as it is incredibly fulfilling to now use all the tools I have learned. I feel I have an edge and can handle large datasets with confidence.”
His UHart experience was strengthened by the collaborative learning environment. The opportunity to engage with like-minded peers and professors who were always approachable made his experience enriching. “The courses themselves were challenging, which made it even more interesting, and motivated me to reach out to professors and work closely with classmates. Regular assignments and research reviews were not only demanding but also exciting, pushing me to continuously improve and grow.” In turn, Singh says UHart has provided him with a strong foundation in both the technical and soft skills essential for career development. The hands-on projects, such as his capstone project under Professor Ning Jia, played a key role in refining his analytical abilities. He says the curriculum also helped him develop the necessary skills to enter the workforce confidently.
Ram Singh M’24, Barney School of BusinessThe University of Hartford fostered my curiosity and passion for learning new technologies and concepts. This mindset has been pivotal in helping me adapt to new challenges, such as staying updated with the latest trends in data analytics and machine learning.
The Barney School of Business, specifically, played a pivotal role in shaping his analytical skills. “Courses focusing on data visualization and machine learning, along with real-world applications, helped me gain practical insights. Also, the regular networking opportunities were invaluable in motivating me and helping me understand current industry trends. Workshops introduced me to new business challenges and provided valuable know-how that further enhanced my preparedness for the professional world. Events like the Veru Symposium not only provided detailed insights from top managers at leading corporations but also gave me a sense of inclusiveness and boosted my confidence.”
Singh says all of his professors were helpful throughout the course, and he wouldn’t say it was easy for him. In the beginning, he struggled to understand the relevance of certain concepts, but he later realized their importance. “Some courses, like Strategic Business Analytics, were particularly challenging, but Professor Jia was always there to guide and help me through. Professor Jia, who also supervised my capstone project, was instrumental in shaping my understanding of machine learning and its applications.”
With this career preparation and educational support, Singh landed a job working as a data analyst at the Virginia Department of Social Services. In this role, he analyzes employee engagement survey data using Excel and Qualtrics and creates interactive dashboards in Power BI to visualize key performance metrics. His work helps drive data-driven decision-making within the department and enhances collaboration with local social services teams. His favorite part of the job is the ability to impact the community through data analysis. He enjoys transforming raw data into actionable insights that support decision-making and improve services for residents.
Overall, Singh says he is prepared for his career because his project experiences, particularly his capstone project on mental health, equipped him with critical skills in data modeling, machine learning, and data visualization. “These projects not only developed my technical expertise but also enhanced my problem-solving and collaboration skills, which are crucial in my current role.”