Our MSBA Program is a Top Choice for International Students. Spotlight on MSBA Graduate: Nagaswarna Yalamarthi

    Meet Nagaswarna Yalamarthi, a recent graduate of our Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program with a background in accounting and finance. With five years of work experience and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance, Nagaswarna pursued the MSBA program to blend her finance expertise with cutting-edge analytics skills. Read the full interview below and get more insights!

Q: Swarna, thank you for coming in. Please introduce yourself and share a little bit about your background.

A: So, my name is Nagaswarna Yalamarthi, and I've graduated from the master's program, majoring in business analytics. So, past, I’ve had work experience of about five years in accounting and finance, and my bachelor's is in accounting and finance as well. So, I just wanted to have better job opportunities around. And also, I wanted to include analytics in my work. That's the reason why I've chosen business analytics. So going forward, I'm looking for jobs related to finance involving analytics which obviously provides better pay than the previous. Yeah, better than regular accounting.

Q: What led you to choose our MSBA program and our university and how did you made your research, how did you come to the decision to pick us?

A: I wanted somewhere in the southern part of North America. I looked out for various options and I looked into North Carolina, Atlanta, South Carolina. And these three are the major regions where I looked into. So, then South Carolina is a state wherein I thought it would give a better vibe compared to Northern Atlanta because it is calm. I mean, compared to Atlanta and North Carolina, I thought this was calm. And I was doing research on the universities within South Carolina. Then I've come across Clemson, Furman, USC Upstate, and USC Columbia. I thought I'll locate myself in Greenville. So that's the reason why I've chosen USC Upstate. And one other thing is business analytics. I went through the curriculum. In the curriculum, it involved subjects wherein I can develop analytics skills, and it gave me opportunities. When I spoke to the program director, Dr. Uma Gupta, she gave a brief about the what's the program, she gave a brief about the university, how they work, and how the program is, and what are the future prospects of the program. This felt more homely compared to the other universities.

Q: More friendly?

A: Yeah, more friendly. So, since I'm from another country, I thought this university would be a better place, and it would be like a home. Like... Even during the program, if I had any doubts or any queries regarding the program, the professors were easy to go. So, I felt this would be like a home when I moved from another country. That’s why I chose this university.

Q: Did you feel at home here?

A: Yeah, I eventually felt like a home. I mean, in the beginning itself, like whenever I had queries, there was someone who could respond on time. I had spontaneous responses from other universities.

Q: As an international student, what unique challenges did you face and how did the program support you to overcome them?

A: So initially it was not an easy journey because getting used to the country and then getting used to the people around, the culture change, everything was very challenging. I thought I'd complete the program in one year. Eventually when the project started, when the assignment started, I got used to, you know, how the assignments are submitted here, how we learn, the workflow, the way of learning, everything was new to me. Eventually, I got used to it. Initially, it was like, oh my God, is this for me? why did I come here?

Q: Did you complete the program within a year?

A: Yes.

Q: What aspects of the MSBA program did you find most valuable and why?

A: During the program, we had a lot of certifications that were to be done. In the real world, definitely, when we apply to some companies, they will look into what sort of certifications we have. That was something that impressed me during the program. And we had a good amount of exposure towards analyzing the data and visualizing the real data. In my first semester, so we got the real world data, and we had to clean the data, work on it, analyze it, and then visualize the data, and then do a storytelling to the management. This sort of practical exposure helped us learn more about how to work on the data and present that data to the management.

Q: Okay, that's good.

A: So, that sort of real life experience helps us learn more.

Q: Yeah, this is definitely very valuable for a real job because you will need to do this.

A: That's true. Because theory is something which we learn every time, but this sort of experience will help us face the real world.

Q: How did your coursework prepare you for your capstone project and real-world consulting experience? I'm aware that you worked with a real company, and you did a project based on real data. So how did your education help you to tackle this?

A: From the first semester, every module matters. The lectures were given on the basic knowledge and then assignments were designed in such a way that we learn our basics and improve more on how to deal with real world data and then how to visualize. The assignments were designed in such a way that you can actually work on the real world data, which is so messy. You never know how messy the data is. The companies just throw the data on you and you see these raw facts and “oh my God, what is this?” Every assignment mattered to me. Every assignment, every project, and every submission during the curriculum taught me something or the other. Like how you present the data to the world, how you present it to the management, how you do the storytelling to the management so that they understand the subject behind the data. To future students, probably I would convey that every assignment matters. Pay attention to every assignment because every assignment makes us learn something. So, you are more than the score. The time constraint is definitely one challenging part, but then, within the given time, probably, we have to give our best for the assignment. With every assignment, when you take it seriously, the capstone automatically becomes easier because your basic is strong. Your concepts are strong enough. You just have to, whatever you've learned through the course, you have to put it in the real world.

Q: Great. Yeah. I think this is the approach of a good student that you have, you pay attention to everything that is given to you, and then you just implement this in real world. And in your case, it was a capstone project, like a test drive of a real job.

A: Yes! And whenever you have questions during the lecture, ask the professors. And professors are really good here; they spend sufficient time with us in clearing our queries if you don't understand something, they will explain it differently, in different ways.

Q: Yeah, that's actually one of the good features of our university, that our instructors, our professors, are always ready to help you because they want you to succeed.

A: That's true.

Q: Can you give us, our viewers, our prospective MSBA students, the overview of your capstone project and the company you consulted? I know that you signed an NDA but share what you can share.

A: We worked with an entertainment company. The outcome of the project was to increase the customer base. We were given a large set of data. In the beginning, we were overwhelmed by what had to be done. We were like, where to start, what to do. So slowly, with Dr. Gupta's guidance, we were able to find a track because we were given different materials. It was like a brush-up of the previous concepts that we learned through the program. We were given a material based on that. We were asked to start the project. So, once we started, we were like, okay, this has to be done. We were able to get a plan out of the data we had. With the guidance provided, we were able to get the plan and then we started inculcating the plan. Even our sponsor was really supportive. We used to have weekly calls with them to convey our progress on the capstone course on the project we were going to deliver. Before we were thrown into the real-world management, the management of the company, we were given an opportunity to present our project to the program director, the sponsor. Then we made several corrections wherever required. It was totally a different experience because in the real world, that's how we are thrown a large amount of data and then you sort it out. But then one good thing is we had good guidance here. We can't expect the same thing from a company or the real world.

Q: Yeah, but I think in the company usually you have some sort of a mentor who will provide you guidance as well. So maybe it won't be as stressful as it was at the first time.

A: Yeah, probably that will vary from company to company but then yeah it was a very good experience. The capstone really helped us recollect all the concepts that we learned in the past. For example, we learned Python code in our first semester. So, I'm not really great at coding, but then when it came to the project, I thought, no, I have to work on this Python code. So you know, it took me a couple of weeks to work on, but then I became ensured that I used Python code for my project. It was totally a different experience. It's a great learning.

Q: Did you enjoy this?

A: Yes, I definitely enjoyed it. So it's worth every single minute spent with the code.

Q: That's good. What specific skills and knowledge from this program did you apply in your capstone project? Beyond coding. Beyond Python.

A: Beyond coding, it was the Power BI. I'm very new to Power BI. And I remember the day when I initially, during the commencement of the program, when the elective was offered, I was like, oh no, I don't want this Power BI. I’ll learn something else. I spoke to Dr. Uma Gupta, and she convinced me saying Power BI is going to be useful for your future, and it's a good visualization tool. I convinced myself, and then I took Power BI. It was definitely a good tool for me to convey my knowledge of the data to the management visually. Conveying the data to the management is not easy at all.

Q: So, probably it's the most difficult part, like clearing the data, sorting, looking for the patterns. It's just technical stuff but make it presentable and easy to understand. This is a real challenge.

A: Yeah. The management probably won't have the technical knowledge about the data. We have to convey in such a way that we give enough insights or what the management requires about their business. Power BI helped me a lot. And then coding was one other tool that helped me. Then I learned Minitab, which helped me do the statistical tests, but that was like for a small amount of data. Probably we can't use that tool for extensive data, but then when you need to work on small data, probably that is one good software which you can work on. So, apart from that, conveying stories to the management with visuals was one of the most challenging parts. But then during the capstone, it was like a cakewalk journey.

Q: Were you taught how to do storytelling? Did you have some courses within your curriculum?

A: Yeah, we had a module where Dr. Uma Gupta taught that. We had a podcast, we had class sessions which helped us understand what we have to convey to the management. We have to convey just the insights, not the technical part, how we have to convey. Like, we jot down the points, and then convey the important aspects to management and not the whole story. They aren't interested in such small details. I mean, all that, the storytelling part was definitely something that improved. I'm an introverted person who can't talk to the audience. But now I feel comfortable talking to the audience.

Q: Oh, that's cool. I guess it's a very nice feeling.

A: Yeah. I feel I've developed technically and personally as a better person.

Q: What is the most significant insight or recommendation you provided for the company and how did they get this?

A: So during my first semester, again, when we had to face the real world, we have given them a few recommendations which they liked. And probably they would have inculcated, I'm not really sure of that. During the capstone also, when we have given a few recommendations, the management was happy about the recommendations. They told that they would be implementing a few recommendations. I feel we have conveyed a good amount of recommendations for the growth of the company.

Q: Okay. Yeah, that's good. How has the MSBA program prepared you for your career and your maybe future plans? Did they change somehow?

A: Yeah, definitely. Before joining the program, I was confused, am I taking the right program? I mean, is the shift right? Because going from accounting and finance, coming towards business analytics, it's something that I had to think about a lot. But then once when I started the business analytics program, I mean, initially it was like, am I doing it right? Have I taken the right program? But then as the program went on, eventually, I thought this is what the real world requires now. Analyzing the data is one of the significant part.

Q: It's a huge trend now.

A: Yeah, it's a huge trend now. And throughout the program, I've grown technically and personally. Technically, how you analyze the data, how you visually present the data to the management, how you do the storytelling, and how well you communicate the data to the management is a very important aspect. I mean, it's not as easy... it definitely requires a good amount of work and then how well you present it and then how the listeners get the information, how they perceive it. Yeah, how they perceive it is very significant, yes. That is a technical aspect. What I've learned personally, I've learned to face the audience and communicate what I want to communicate. I've become a more confident person than I was. The program gave me the opportunity to face the audience and communicate what I wanted in the form of storytelling.

Q: But before that, when you worked in accounting, didn't you have such experience?

A: Oh, we've communicated, but then we have done presentations. But then I'm in a different country with a big culture change. Different language, I guess. Yeah, different. It was the same language. But then, you know, I have no clue on how... the listeners will take the information I communicate. In the beginning, when I moved to the US, everything was so new to me and literally talking to a person I used to think am I communicating it the right way. Throughout the program, it gave me confidence to communicate to any crowd globally.

Q: That's cool! So, looking back, you already graduated. What was the most transformative part of your MSBA journey? What do you feel changed within yourself mostly after this program?

A: Initially, before commencing the program, I wasn't confident enough to just go apply for a job and work in any company. But then on completion of my program, now I'm confident enough to go to work, to communicate with people, and to work in teams. So these are some of the changes which I've come across. I've become a more confident person. One main thing is networking as well. I've got to know people. So, now I feel looking for opportunities through this networking is easier than it was in the beginning.

Q: Did you have many opportunities to network with people, with employers, outside of the college?

A: Yeah, we had opportunities to meet different employers, major employers in and around upstate. They have come to the university, or we have been to their companies to look into how well they are presenting their data, and how well they are communicating through visuals. We had different opportunities to meet different employers and communicate with them. In that way, our networking has also increased.

Q: Okay, that's good. What advice would you give to prospective students considering this program?

A: So initially, if they are coming as an immigrant, it would definitely be challenging. But then just get used to the pace. Put in your efforts from the beginning. Just don't wait till the last minute. Like, for example, you have a submission at 10 o'clock. Don't start the submission at 9 o'clock and then just do something and submit. Just learn through your assignments. Attend your lectures. Listen. If you have any queries, the professors will definitely help you in all ways possible to resolve your queries. And then, every assignment is designed in such a way that you learn something. So just don't take your assignments literally.

Q: What advice would you give yourself? Would you change something? What would you have done differently?

A: So if I had been given an opportunity, probably I would have done a better time management towards the submissions of the projects and the assignments because I'm a person who does things at the last minute. So, I used to have a lot of sleepless nights because of that. Probably, if I would have given a chance, I would have started my assignments early and as soon as I got them. I’d have sufficient time to complete them. So probably time management is something which I would have changed a bit.

Q: What are some of your happiest memories about the program?

A: I enjoyed, frankly, every bit of the program. You know, when we had to present to the audience or the real world our data or any of our presentations, I could feel the butterflies in my stomach and then I'd be like, okay, I have to get over this and then communicate. I never showed that butterfly outside. I used to keep everything inside and then communicate whatever I had to communicate to the audience. That is something which I would say I enjoyed the most. That's how I became more confident in facing the audience. So that is one thing. And I enjoyed every lecture. I presented my generative AI presentation in the field of accounting and finance at the 20th research symposium. I also won an award for that. That's very memorable because presenting a generative AI in the field of accounting and finance itself was something very new, and it felt like an achievement for me. I think it is.

Q: Award is like an add-on achievement.

A: Yeah.

Q: So how is your job search right now? Did you complete any interviews? Maybe you already have a job offer?

A: I have a couple of interviews in line, and I've been applying to various companies as well. So expecting to get an offer sometime soon.

Q: I wish you luck with your job hunt. I hope you'll get a very like your maybe not dream job position but very close to this because it's just the beginning.

A: Yeah, true.

Q: And thank you so much for your time and for the interview…

A: Thank you so much. Thank you so much for giving me an opportunity to recollect all the memories about the program.

Q: …And sharing your experience. It is a first-hand experience. Yeah, I think through interviews like this, prospective students can make a better decision if it's worth time, money, and effort to go on this journey because it's not an easy path.

A: Yeah, that's true. Thank you.