Enterprises are investing more in analytics than ever before. Organisations now require professionals who can interpret and communicate the data that underpins most business decisions. This makes skilled data analytics professionals highly valuable. If you are inclined towards numbers, look for patterns in data and enjoy emerging technologies, a career in data analysis or business intelligence could be for you.
Hibernia College recently launched a Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Business Data Analytics to support anyone seeking to either upskill or reskill to forge a career in data analytics. The deadline to apply is fast approaching, so we sat down with Programme Director Dr Catherine Mulwa to learn more.
How did you first become interested in data analytics?
I first became interested in data analytics in 2008 when I was a PhD research student in the Knowledge and Data Engineering Research Group (KDGE) in Trinity College Dublin.
What keeps you interested in data analytics?
The field of data analytics is undergoing rapid growth with the advent of new technologies, such as data mining and machine learning. Coupled with the vast amount of new knowledge we can source using data science, probability modelling, statistical data analysis and applied business analytics, it is a field of limitless possibility.
I am particularly interested in the application of insights gained from data and how they can make lives better. My research focuses on computing education, cognitive and prediction systems (particularly recommender systems), data analytics, technology-enhanced learning, human-computer interaction, personalisation and web accessibility. I was the principal investigator of the ENHANCE project at Dublin City University’s Faculty of Engineering and Computing, where we investigated the challenges and issues encountered by students with sensory impairments when interacting with educational interfaces of accessibility.
What makes the Hibernia College programme special?
Our innovative programme is a one-year, 60-credit, NFQ Level 9 programme validated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). It uses the flexible Hibernia College blended learning technology platform, and it is suitable for people who are working or have other commitments. The programme is founded on the three pillars of business analytics, technology and data science and will equip graduates with essential analytics, technical, investigative and communication skills to thrive in a wide range of sectors within the modern economy.
Hibernia College has partnered with the Analytics Institute, Ireland’s professional membership organisation for the data science and analytics industry. The Analytics Institute will coordinate work placements with its 120+ member organisations. Graduates will also earn a professional certificate from the Analytics Institute.
What types of students are you looking forward to working with?
This programme is for skilled graduates looking to attain a qualification to improve their academic profile and to enhance their employment prospects by gaining additional skills that are in short supply among the workforce. It is equally for anyone already working in analytics who seeks additional skills and a Level 9 certification to enhance their existing role or prepare them for a new role.
I am looking forward to working with students from diverse backgrounds who are looking to upskill or reskill with a view to forging a career path within the burgeoning data analytics industry in Ireland and internationally.
How much does the programme cost?
One of the most exciting aspects of the programme is that there are a limited number of funded places that are supported by the Springboard+ Human Capital Initiative Pillar 1 fund. Eligible unemployed students can complete the programme for free. Eligible employed students pay only 10% of the fee. We encourage eligible applicants who think they may be eligible to apply early because funded places may fill quickly.
For those who do not meet the Springboard+ eligibility criteria, the full programme fee is €7,000. Data analysts are in high demand, and those employed in the industry should experience a return on their educational investment.
Is there support for work placement?
Yes! Students already working in the industry will undertake a project. Placement is organised for those who need industry experience and is arranged by the Analytics Institute. This 12-week placement or project is the final stage of the programme and will synthesise knowledge from the other modules.
What types of roles are graduates prepared for?
Graduates of the programme will have the essential skills, knowledge and know-how to fill a range of data analytics careers in a variety of fields including finance, health, agriculture, tourism, entertainment and hospitality.
Career opportunities include data analyst, data scientist, data architect, data engineer, big data management scientist, machine learning engineer, business intelligence analyst, business systems analyst, logistics analyst and marketing analyst. Graduates will also be prepared to work in the key intelligent data analytics research fields such as search and analysis (i.e. data mining), semantic processing, cognitive systems and predictions (i.e. machine learning), visualisation, representation, benchmarking and evaluation.
Do you have words of advice for someone considering the programme?
Data analytics is a fast-paced, challenging career centred on problem-solving and thinking outside of the box. The best part about working with data is seeing the impact it can have. By taking this programme, it will change your life when it comes to employment opportunities.
I have supervised over 300 MSc students in data analytics who have successfully passed their projects; the majority of these students are employed in senior positions in the data analytics industry and are currently contributing to the body of knowledge significant to the continued growth of the data analytics field.
Thank you, Dr Mulwa, for your insight into the Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Business Data Analytics programme and the opportunities available in data analytics. Application and details are available on the Springboard+ website. The programme commences September 2022, and the application closing date is 25 July.
If you have any further questions about applying for the Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Business Data Analytics, feel free to email DataAnalytics@hiberniacollege.net or call our Enrolment Advisers at (01) 661 0168 (option 2).