The student is pursuing a Master of Business Intelligence degree with an expected graduation date of May 2016. They intend to leverage their technical and mathematical skills to succeed in the program and future career. Their goals are to gain the knowledge and confidence to make difficult corporate decisions and recommendations upon graduation. They have reflected on their career goals and strengths/weaknesses to develop a plan to network within the industry and expand their skills and qualifications through the program.

2. End Goal
In May of 2016 I will be a Master of Business
Intelligence. I am looking forward to the
challenges that will come throughout the program.
I intend to leverage my technical and
mathematical background, enhancing my abilities
to be successful in the program and career path to
follow. Upon graduation, I will have the tools,
knowledge and confidence to be able to make
difficult corporate decisions and
recommendations. This in turn will make me a
valuable asset and resource regardless of
clientele.

3. Looking Back on Brainstorming
The brainstorming worksheet, which we
completed during the third week of Mastery,
allowed me to begin to see how I would achieve
my goals. By investing a great deal of time
researching, I was able to find industry contacts,
mentors and career paths that may be of value
upon graduation and beyond. In addition, I
learned how the industry is changing and where to
focus future learning to stay current. Most
importantly, the SWOT analysis told me where I
stand and the path I will need to take to get to
where I want to be. After the brainstorming
exercise, I can now see the light at the end of the
tunnel.

4. Mastery: Personal Development and Leadership
Preparing for Mastery using self reflection and the studies of past
Masters. This has prepared me professionally and personally for
the challenges ahead.
 Reflect upon my career and myself to become better prepared
for my future career path.
 Read Mastery from cover to cover
 Improve my time management skills to aid me going forward
 Time Management Fundamentals – Lynda.com
Strategies and Tactics

5. Foundations of Business Intelligence
I will learn the fundamental concepts, processes and systems
involved in Business Intelligence. After this course I will have a
good foundation for the material to come.
 Expand upon what is discussed in class using my own personal
research
 Research and designate top 5 companies for my career goals
and start to build a network within the appropriate departments.
 Begin to explore additional educational paths such as
certifications in my field
 Foundations of Business Analytics : Prescriptive Analytics –
Lynda.com
Strategies and Tactics

6. Enterprise Data Management
I will gain an understanding of the enterprise environment and
become familiar with the size and complexity of what we will
experience in the real world. I will also enhance my technical
reporting capabilities.
 Familiarize myself with other applications outside of what is
discussed in class.
 Identify and become active in LinkedIn Business Intelligence
groups.
 Read “Small and Medium Enterprises – Their views of product
Data Management Tools” – EBSCOhost
 Up and Running with Tableau – Lynda.com
Strategies and Tactics

7. Business Intelligence Technologies
I will master the details of the data warehouse, technologies and
infrastructure covered in this course. Additionally, I will have a
better insight and foundation for working on the final capstone
project.
 Learn what type of data is used being used in the field and
compare it to what is being covered in class.
 Read “An Overview of Business Intelligence Technology” –
EBSCOhost
 Familiarize myself with additional tools used in the field
 Hadoop fundamentals – Lynda.com
Strategies and Tactics

8. Business Intelligence Analytics
Learn the mathematical and predictive techniques to extract useful
data for accurate analytics.
 Dedicate time to practicing the mathematical and statistical
techniques so they become second nature.
 Utilize my technical and mathematical experience to further my
understanding of the concepts taught this month.
 Reach out to industry contacts to obtain insight on how these
techniques are used in the real world.
 Data Visualization Fundamentals – Lynda.com
Strategies and Tactics

9. Data Mining
Understand what to do with the data and how to make sense of the
information being extracted. Improving my skills with the tools we
have been given.
 Research and explore the different sources of data we may
encounter.
 Continue practicing with Tableau and data mining methods.
 Read current news and periodicals to keep a finger on the pulse
of the industry.
 Excel Data-Mining Fundamentals – Lynda.com
Strategies and Tactics

10. Patterns and Recognition
Use algorithms and additional techniques that will allow us to better
identify meaningful results. We will also utilize these skills for the
capstone.
 Begin to get a feel for pattern recognition by using everything we
have learned to this point on a variety of data sets.
 Start to associate learned techniques with what will need to be
done on the capstone project.
 Conduct Independent learning on pattern recognition and
algorithms.
 Techniques and Concepts of Big Data – Lynda.com
Strategies and Tactics

11. Process Modeling and Analysis
I will learn how to support business process improvements using
statistical simulations and modeling concepts. In addition, I will gain
a better understanding utilizing real world cases.
 Research case studies to enhance my understanding.
 Practice these techniques utilizing the experiences I have
obtained from past employers.
 Read “An MDA based Multi-Agent Approach for Decision
Support Systems Development” – EBSCOhost
 Strategic Planning Fundamentals – Lynda.com
Strategies and Tactics

12. Data Visualizations and Creative Reporting
I will become confident with the use of dashboards and other
interfaces to present information to instructors, stakeholders and
future employers.
 Practice the use of different visualization techniques
 Research additional tools to improve my presentation skills.
 Begin to make a detailed plan for what may be needed for the
final capstone project.
 Interactive Data Visualization with Processing – Lynda.com
Strategies and Tactics

13. Business Intelligence Leadership and
Communication Skills
My goals for this course are to Improve upon reporting, listening,
negotiating and meeting management skills.
 Compare and contrast what I learn with how I have managed in
the past. This will allow me to identify leadership skills to focus
upon.
 Reach out to executives in my LinkedIn network to obtain their
input and advice from what their experiences.
 Utilize these skills in every day experiences and begin to take on
the leadership role full time.
 Negotiation Fundamentals – Lynda.com
Strategies and Tactics

14. Business Intelligence Case Studies
In this course, I plan on improving my critical thinking and problem
solving skills by utilizing enterprise level case studies.
 Apply the critical thinking skills learned here to my everyday
situations and to my ongoing capstone project development.
 Research additional case studies to further enhance the
material.
 Read “Business Intelligence Case Studies” – retrieved from
http://searchbusinessanalytics.techtarget.com/resources/Busine
ss-intelligence-case-studies
 Visual Thinking Strategies – Lynda.com
Strategies and Tactics

15. Business Intelligence Capstone
I will demonstrate my mastery of the material taught over the past
year by presenting my capstone project and thesis. This
experience will give me further confidence in my abilities heading
into my new career path.
 Conduct the same SWOT analysis of my readiness now and
compare it to what was done during the 3rd week.
 Use my presentation, visualization and analysis skills to display
my mastery of the subject matter.
 Utilize my capstone project as well as Career services to begin
to target my top companies for employment.
 Business Intelligence and Knowledge Management Systems –
Alison.com
Strategies and Tactics

16. Six Industry Leaders
Dan Laval
Global Business Intelligence Instructor – Apple
https://uk.linkedin.com/pub/dean-laval/a/6b3/393
Steve Whittington
Director of Consumer Data and Analytics – Walt Disney Company
Steve.Whittington@disney.com - (407) 828-4405
Jeff Mills
Director of Analytics – Tableau Software
http://twitter.com/Vizmills
Augusto Albeghi
Founder of BI startup Straysoft
Google+ - https://plus.google.com/117443866165261032554/about
Darren Cunningham
VP Marketing – SnapLogic
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcunningham
Rajasekar Nonburaj
BI Application Specialist
LinkedIn - https://mx.linkedin.com/in/rajasekarnonburaj

17. Involvement in Business Intelligence and
Expanding my PLN
Part of my goals for this degree is to become a well known go-to
resource in the industry. In order to get there I need to increase my
presence and network within my profession. I will be focusing on
several methods to attain this :
 LinkedIn Network – Expand my LinkedIn network to include
experienced and well respected people in my field. This is the
key to building bridges into target companies.
 Obtain Professional Certifications
 MCSE – Business Intelligence Certification (Microsoft)
 CBIP – Certified Business Intelligence Professional
 Join professional groups and Organizations such as:
 Business Intelligence Professionals (LinkedIn)
 The Data Warehousing Institute

18. Clubs and Organizations
 Business Intelligence Master of Science – Full Sail University
 Alumni Network – Full Sail University
 Institute for the Certification of Computing Professionals
 Digital Analytics Association
 International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA)

19. Characteristics of a Mentor
 Patient and willing to grow others with positive feedback and
guidance.
 Highly respected and willing to allow apprentices to experiment
and to take risks.
 Has developed and is willing to share his / her professional
network.
 Highly knowledgeable in the industry and company culture.
 Does not rush through projects and gives time to apprentices.

20. Summary
My career has taught me what it takes to succeed. A strong work
ethic and morals has brought me to where I am today. This along
with my strong technical and managerial background will help me
succeed over the next twelve months . The graduate degree is the
perfect enhancement to my career goals allowing me greater
opportunity to advance. It will give me the latest tools and
knowledge to stand out and make the decisions that will allow me
to contribute at a higher level. I am excited to be pursuing my
“Life’s Path”.

21. Thank You