As organizations strive to make informed decisions and gain a competitive edge, professionals with expertise in business informatics (BI) are in high demand. BI is a multidisciplinary field at the intersection of business management and information technology. It is the art and science of leveraging data, technology and information systems to optimize business processes, make informed decisions and drive innovation. This dynamic field encompasses a wide range of topics, including data analytics, business intelligence and information security.
The Northern Kentucky University (NKU) online Master of Science (M.S.) in Business Informatics – Business Analytics program prepares graduates to navigate this data-driven world with precision and confidence. This comprehensive program bridges the gap between business and data. With a curriculum that delves into critical subjects such as business intelligence, data analysis and visualization, information security and blockchain technology, graduates are equipped to develop data-based initiatives and solutions.
Below are five promising career paths NKU program graduates can pursue. By learning in-demand skills in BI and data management, students can unlock many professional opportunities.
Careers With a Master’s Degree in Business Informatics
Here, we look at several careers that graduates of this program can pursue, including responsibilities and average national salaries:
Business Intelligence Analyst
Average salary: $73,598
This position is pivotal in helping organizations make data-driven decisions and gain valuable insights into their operations. Reporting to a director or a senior manager, a business intelligence analyst transforms raw data into actionable information. The BI analyst often collaborates closely with data engineers, data scientists and other stakeholders to ensure data accuracy and relevance. Primary responsibilities include:
- Data analysis: Conduct in-depth data analysis to identify trends, patterns and anomalies within datasets.
- Reporting and visualization: Create visually appealing and informative reports, dashboards and data visualizations to communicate insights to various stakeholders.
- Data integration: Collect and integrate data from multiple sources for a comprehensive view of the business landscape.
- Performance monitoring: Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and give regular updates to management to support decision-making processes.
Data Scientist
Average salary as of 2022: $103,500
This role specializes in extracting meaningful insights and predictive models from vast datasets. Reporting to a chief data officer or a senior manager in the data analytics division, a data scientist often works in cross-functional teams and may supervise data analysts or junior data scientists. The position involves leveraging advanced analytical techniques to solve complex business problems and inform strategic decisions. Specific job responsibilities include:
- Data analysis: Conduct comprehensive exploratory data analysis (EDA) to uncover patterns, correlations and trends within datasets.
- Machine learning: Develop and implement machine learning models and algorithms to solve predictive and prescriptive analytics challenges, such as recommendation systems or fraud detection.
- Data preparation: Prepare raw data for analysis, ensure data quality and create suitable datasets for modeling.
- Storytelling with data: Communicate findings through data visualizations, reports and presentations, and present complex results to non-technical stakeholders.
Data Analyst
Average salary: $77,127
This position serves as a bridge between data and decision-making within an organization. Typically, a data analyst reports to a data manager or a senior member of the data team and may collaborate with data scientists while occasionally supervising data entry clerks or junior data analysts. The primary role involves transforming raw data into actionable insights through rigorous analysis. Specific job responsibilities include:
- Data exploration: Explore and evaluate large datasets, identifying trends, anomalies and key insights that can inform business strategies.
- Data cleaning and preparation: Clean and pre-process data, ensure its accuracy and consistency, and create structured datasets suitable for analysis.
- Statistical analysis: Conduct statistical analyses, such as hypothesis testing and regression modeling, to provide evidence-based recommendations and insights.
- Reporting and visualization: Develop reports, dashboards and data visualizations that effectively communicate findings to stakeholders, making complex data accessible and understandable.
Data Architect
Average salary: $131,027
This position is vital to shaping an organization’s data infrastructure and strategy. Typically, a data architect reports to a chief data officer or a senior executive responsible for data management while overseeing teams of data engineers and collaborating closely with stakeholders. The primary positional responsibility is to design and manage data systems. Specific job responsibilities include:
- Data system design: Design and create data systems, databases and data warehouses that meet the organization’s data storage, processing and accessibility requirements.
- Data modeling: Develop and maintain data models, ensuring that data is organized, structured and stored efficiently to support analytical and operational needs.
- Data governance: Establish data governance policies and practices, ensuring data quality, security and compliance with regulations.
- Collaboration: Work with stakeholders, including business analysts and IT teams, to understand data requirements and ensure that data solutions align with business objectives.
Chief Data Officer
Average salary: $169,905
This executive position oversees data management and governance strategies. The chief data officer reports to the chief executive officer (CEO), chief information officer (CIO) or chief technology officer (CTO) and leads a team including data scientists, data analysts and data engineers. The role’s primary responsibility is to strategically harness the power of data to drive business innovation and decision-making. Specific job responsibilities include:
- Data strategy development: Develop and implement a comprehensive data strategy that aligns with the organization’s objectives and supports its long-term vision.
- Data governance: Establish and enforce data governance policies and practices to ensure data quality, security, privacy and compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Data monetization: Identify opportunities to monetize data assets and develop strategies to leverage data for revenue generation and cost optimization.
- Data analytics leadership: Direct data teams to foster a data-driven culture within the organization and promote data literacy among employees.
These positions are a small sampling of the many opportunities available to graduates of NKU’s online M.S. in Business Informatics – Business Analytics program. If you are ready to elevate your career and your organization, this program provides the versatile academic foundation and the training you need to succeed in a variety of challenging and rewarding career paths.
Learn more about NKU’s online M.S. in Business Informatics – Business Analytics program.
