Analytics and business intelligence: When a degree isn't enough

In this data-driven world, the IT industry is struggling to cope with a technology that’s evolving faster than ever before. The tools and procedures needed to manage vast amounts of data continue to become complex and higher education cannot keep up with them. Barb Wixom, associate professor of commerce at the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce and author of the 2013 State of Business Intelligence survey, suggests that a degree on analytics and business intelligence isn’t enough. Students need access to real, big data sets in order to further learn about analytics and how data can be used to achieve business outcomes.

Image source: sophialiteraria.wordpress.com

This need can be addressed through academic alliance programs that help professors create meaningful and data-centric course blueprints and pedagogy that expose students to the real world of data and analytics. Ideally, the course plan is one that provides a broad coverage in marketing and analytics and engages students at a practical-level with hands-on learning. 

Image source: All America City Award

However, there are universities offering courses on data science and business intelligence that still lack the connection to organizations that can offer students the access to real-world cases, software implementation, and other IT processes. This is why there are IT graduates who cannot meet the requirements of the companies they apply for, forcing them to transfer to other careers and causing the widening talent gap on data and technology.

Image source: business-english.pl

The long-term solution for this case is to strengthen partnerships between institutions of higher education and business organizations. Cooperation between these two sectors is needed in order to redefine the curricula and target the specific skill sets required in the 21st century workplace.

David Bergen is the former CIO of Levi Strauss & Co. Visit this blog to read up on his perspective on the talent gap problem.