What do you learn in a business analytics minor?
In business analytics, we learn techniques to analyse data, gain insights and make predictions to guide business decisions. Skills that are taught include data visualisation, machine learning and processing unstructured text into useful data.
Why did you choose to take up business analytics as a minor?
In my first semester, I was exposed to basic data analytics and visualization as part of an introductory ISE module. I realised that I had an interest in this area and wanted to learn the technical skills in greater depth. Hence, I took up the Minor in Business Analytics that was offered by the School of Computing.
How do the skills you learn in business analytics complement ISE?
ISE provides the concepts and methods involved in making optimal decisions, while my minor equips students with the technical skills of processing and analysing data. As data is needed to make optimal decisions, ISE and business analytics go very well together. These skills proved to be useful during my internship, where I had to analyse surgical data and present the insights to my supervisor.
What is your biggest takeaway from taking a minor?
Aside from the technical skills which I have really enjoyed learning, my biggest takeaway is perhaps the experience of working with people from other faculties. Similar to ISE modules, there was a lot of opportunity to work on group projects. I collaborated with students from School of Computing and NUS Business School throughout the modules and it was definitely interesting to see how we could all contribute effectively despite coming from varied backgrounds.
What was your biggest challenge in your minor journey?
I didn’t face many challenges in terms of the content, but did have some issues on the administrative side. I took the introductory module only in my fourth semester and applied for the minor after that. It was a little late as I faced some difficulty in obtaining the mandatory modules in certain semesters. I would advise anyone interested in taking the minor to take the introductory module early, and to plan your modules well!
What advice would you give to Pre-University students who are considering a minor?
Taking a minor is a useful way of gaining more in-depth knowledge and skills in a particular area, without having to overload your semesters. Don’t rush into deciding on a minor, but it is always good to take the introductory modules early to get a gauge of your interest in it!