Transforming Careers: Tenille Black's Journey with Our MSBA Program

        We're excited to share Tenille Black’s inspiring story! With a background in economics, Tenille initially took a job in education but was determined to return to her true passion in business analytics. Discovering our MSBA program at USC Upstate on a whim, she found it to be a life-changing decision. Tenille completed the program in two years while balancing a full-time job in education. Tenille’s advice for prospective students? Keep an open mind, embrace the challenges, and be ready to work hard. The MSBA program’s rigorous curriculum and supportive faculty, including Dr. Gupta, prepared her for a fulfilling career in data science and reaffirmed her passion for the field. Read the full interview below and get more insights!

Q: Tenille, thank you so much for coming and being ready to share your experience with MSBA program. Please introduce yourself and share a little bit about your background and what led you to our MSBS program.

A: Well, my name is Tenille Black. I came with a background in economics. I have a bachelor's and master's degree in economics. But in the hustle of trying to find work and find that experience, I got put in a position where I had to just take a job while I was looking for a job and ended up being in a school setting in education for a while. And so, I decided to jump back in into the economics world, into the business world, and ran across the MSBA program on a whim and decided you know what? Why not? Let's give it a try and it's ended up being gay, a life changer. So, it was a good thing. 

Q: Did you consider other MSBA programs like, I mean, in different universities or you just hit our program and decided okay, this is what I'm going do and look no further? 

A: You know, I think, through the years I was looking for something like the MSBA program but didn't really know what I was looking for. If that makes sense. I knew I wanted to go into research, into data, and it was kind of both. I happened to run into a sign for a USC Upstate program, and I said. Okay, it's here. While I'm here in Spartanburg, let's do it so that's how I got it. 

Q: How long did it take to complete the entire program for you? 

A: It took me two years. 

Q: Okay, you just evenly spread it without rushing. 

A: Right. 

Q: Have you been working all this time in any job?

A: Yes, so the education background. I was in a classroom, I worked at a school full time and then at night I would take classes.

Q: Okay, is your current job related to data analytics field?

A: No.

Q: Have you looked for a job after the graduation? In Data Analytics.

A: I have. I do have a job. I start next week.

Q: Oh, great. Is it within the field?

A: Yes. I do have a job within the field now, yes.

Q: That's great. So, you got this achievement to get the job aligned with the education you got.

A: Yes, I did.

Q: That’s good. What aspects of the MSBA program do you find most valuable and why?

A: So, I think the biggest thing is this program. In particular, the staff makes sure to bring in real life situations, real life data. So, it doesn't become just an assignment or just an exam anymore. It's actually working to help real life people, real life businesses achieve whatever goal they're trying to achieve. So, it's almost that it becomes something bigger than you. And I think that's the biggest advantage of the program.

Q: How did your coursework prepare for your capstone project? And like overall, real world consulting experience.

A: Well, I think when you first start in the program they teach you the business analytics cycle. You know you start with that framework, that foundation of business analytics. And then once you get to the Capstone, you see that it's not just merely work, it's not a theory, it's something that's actually put into practice. And then when you put it into practice correctly, it brings out the best results for whatever you're trying to do. And for the Capstone, putting that framework that we learned at the very beginning into practice at the very end ended up being a success for the organization we were working for.

Q: Could you give me an overview of your Capstone project? I know that you've signed an NDA but share what you can share and like about the company you consulted for. What field they're working on, something like this.

A: So, we worked for a company called My Bundle, and they are part of the TV streaming service industry. And so basically our capstone was to help them revamp or study the products that they have now and how they can use it in the future to keep being a competitor in the industry. That's basically what the capstone was about.

Q: How complicated was the assignment?

A: You know, when you give a general overview, it doesn't seem like…

Q: Yeah, it doesn't seem complicated.

A: …it doesn't seem complicated at all. But then part of the capstone was reading about the industry and analyzing the company as it relates to the industry and then you start learning all the leaps and bounds that you know people have to go through to get into the market, how to stay in the market, how to stay relevant. And then it becomes a more complicated process of how are their products measuring up to the Netflix and the YouTubers and all that of the industry. And so, once you understand the industry versus the company, then it becomes a more complicated process of what they need to do. And then, on top of that, when you bring in the data, and you see what they have and what they don't have, yeah, that brings in another area of complications.

Q: Yeah, now it makes sense. Maybe you can tell me some specific skills or knowledge from your course during the MSBA program that you applied on your Capstone project? What were like top three skills that you learned throughout the course and then you apply this on your final project?

A: So, I think the first is learning to work with data. You know, seeing like an Excel spreadsheet. It's just, yeah, if you're just looking at it, and you really don't know what you're looking at, it is a scary thing. And so, that process of looking at what is there, what you need and what you don't need. And out of the things that you need, cleaning that data, you know, making it usable.

Q: I studied data science. I know.

A: So, you know exactly what I mean. So, I think that was number one, the biggest thing that we learned that we used. The second would definitely have to be the visualization portion of it. You know, after you work with the data, presenting it to where everybody can understand, to visualize it for people. And as a part of that, that goes into my third point of, actually, storytelling.

Q: I would say it's a game changer.

A: it's a game changer. It truly is. To get somebody who doesn't understand the technical side to understand all this work that you've been doing and making it general. So, it does seem like it's simplified.

Q: It always sounds so simple. But behind this, it's a huge work.

A: Yeah, and I think that's the art of storytelling, and that's the that's the kind of things that they lay the foundation of in the program. So, we can, you know, utilize that and do that for the capstone and beyond.

Q: Maybe you can share the most significant insight or recommendation you provided for the company and how they received it? Did they apply this or maybe they were like “Hmmm, it doesn't sound right.” So, maybe they were suspicious or something.

A: Well. I know one of the biggest insights was the product that they wanted us to study and focus on. They wanted us to basically gauge how it was doing for their customers. And one insight was that the audience that they were targeting is dwindling down and has the potential to not be extinct but not to be as significant as it is today. So, one of the insights was to revamp their product, to retarget to another audience, to repurpose it, is the word that we use to either regain customers, bring in new audiences. Basically, retargeting what you said. I was trying to think of another way, but that's,

Q: Yeah, I think like a marketer, right

A: Yeah. We want to retarget the audience and repurpose the tools so we can bring in new people. And so, they received it well. I think it's going to take time. I think it's something that they have to kind of brainstorm because, you know, we didn't have a lot of time, so it was very high level recommendation on the surface. So, I'm hoping that that is something that they will, you know, continue to work with and we will see that change in the future.

Q: How has the MSBA program prepared you for your career goals or future plans? Did you change your future plans? How do you imagine your career path throughout the education? Because sometimes we all come with some level of expectations. But I realized okay, it took you two years to complete the program. It is an extensive period of time. You may overthink something and just change your opinion completely and say like, throughout your education, you may find something that captured your attention, and just “this is what I'm going to do.”

A: You know what I wouldn't say. It changed anything. I would say, it confirmed, reinforced it, reinforced what I originally set out to do when I went to school originally. Now what I didn't expect when I got here is the science behind it.

Q: The actual science.

A: The actual science behind it. I was I came in ready to do research and qualitative kind of analysis, but I think I was thrown for a loop when they first said “Okay, computer science.” So, I'm like “Oh no, I'm not computer science.” I'm here you are. I'm this analytics so now.

Q: It's more like data science, what you’re doing exactly

A: Exactly. And so, I think that's what I wasn't ready for. But now that I know how to do it. I'm more confident in it. And I know that this is the career path that I want to be on.

Q: As long as you enjoy this…

A: Exactly! Exactly!

Q: …works perfectly.

A: You have to enjoy it. That's key.

Q: Because data science is the field… you could force yourself to do this, but you actually have to like this to succeed in this field because it's so specific. If you don't like this field, it's not going to work.

A: Yeah, and that's how I feel about my old job. I was in a classroom and you know, you have to be passionate to be in education and that's just something I wasn't passionate in. And now, you know, this is a different kind of heart, but it's something I'm passionate about, and I'm willing to do it. So that's the difference.

Q: In what ways have you grown personally and professionally during your time in MSBA program? Professionally okay. You gained some skills. What about personal growth?

A: Right. You know? I think I would have to credit Dr. Gupta in the personal growth.

Q: Yes, she's a strong leader.

A: She is a very strong leader, and just to see her kind of take charge of this program and kind of push it to where it's something that people learn from and there's actual results from being in the program. I remember my first encounter with her. She was pushing me to be in an internship and I was like. No, no. I just, I just got here, I'm just trying to. You know, I'm just testing. I don't really know if I want to do. And I ended up getting the internship because of her. And her, you know, consistent trying to build you up. And so, I've learned that personally I am strong enough to do hard things. And that I can be a leader in whatever career I choose to do. I can be a leader in whatever group I'm put in, whatever space I'm put in. And I think I've also learned that being in a level of leadership or power, not say I'm in a level of power yet, but it isn't to heighten my fence for this's to extend my table. If that makes sense.

Q: Yes. What advice would you give to prospective students considering the MSBA program? Maybe how we can prepare. I know it's going to be challenging, but…

A: Right. I think don't come with set expectations. And what I mean by that is that we have the title of business analytics. And you think you're just going into a certain corporate area. But you can use analytics anywhere, and that's what I learned very quickly. In the two years that I've been here, I've worked for real estate. I've worked for supply chain. I've worked for nonprofits. Data is everywhere, and people are trying to learn how to utilize data. And that's why you're essential. So, I think when you come in with those expectations of “I'm just going to be in one sector,” you'll cut yourself short of all the possibilities. So, I say don't come with, you know, set expectations, be ready to work hard, but enjoy the ride because it is a fun ride.

Q: Yeah. I think this is great advice because when you do grad program, you do it more consciously than when you just do it undergrad. You understand yourself better for sure without forcing, without your parents behind your back.

A: For sure. And I think for those that are. Coming from undergrad into grad school, I think, the vibe is different. It's very much different. You know, undergrad. You're here for, you know, the social and the academic. And once you get into grad school, you're here for a purpose. You know what I mean.

Q: You know why you're doing this.

A: You know why you're doing this. And that's what all the professors understand that you're here for a purpose now that this is not just, just getting a degree just to get a degree. So, the expectation is higher when you're in grad school.

Q: What advice would you give yourself before the beginning of the program? Maybe you would change something. You would do something differently. Maybe you now think “oh, I would have done this” or “I should have done this in different way.” Or no regrets?

A: I don't think I have any. I don't think I would change anything. Maybe jump into opportunity sooner and not second guest myself.

Q: Like, looking for internship?

A: Right. Or you know. I wouldn't have to be pushed by a professor to try. You know, just go for it and see what happens. And if it doesn't work out, it just doesn't work out. That doesn't mean that you're any less you capable. It just wasn't for you. Luckily, everything I did worked, work worked out, but I guess is to believe in yourself more. That would be the advice I give to myself.

Q: That's good. What was your happiest memory of your time during the program?

A: Probably, my happiest time was probably when I got my first internship with Zillow. And, like I said, I was coming in kind of timid already not thinking that I could now do something like this, wasn't sure if I had made the right move. I was at work when Dr. Gupta called and said that I had gotten the internship. I was running up and down the hall like a nut.

Q: I can only imagine.

A: Yes. And to make it even sweeter, I started this program not telling anybody in my family that I went back to school.

Q: They were surprised for sure.

A: They were surprised for sure. Some of them didn't even know until I graduated.

Q: Really?

A: Yeah, but when I got that call, I told my mom that I went back to school. So yeah, that was probably the happiest.

Q: I think memories and moments like that worth all the effort you put into this.

A: Yeah, yeah, it felt like I was. I was back in a way you know that I thought I had just kind of ruined my chances of being in this industry and getting in that call. It just kind of gave you a sense of hope.

Q: That do and achieve something.

A: Maybe I can achieve. Maybe I can achieve something, you know, of this caliber. I think that was the start of me taking more risks. So that moment is probably the happiest moment.

Q: I think it is a great ending for our interview. Thank you so much for your time, and for sharing your experience. I think your thoughts help some people who are considering enrolling in the MSBA program, will decide to go into to take this challenge and not be afraid of the path in front of them.

A: And I can say for sure that this program is built to set somebody up for success for sure.

Q: Thank you so much.