Business intelligence refers to the technology that allows people to prepare, mine, manage, and communicate data to form actionable insights that help drive more educated, accurate business decisions. Those who work in business intelligence are data experts who use various tools and skills to facilitate decision making across different businesses. 

This is a field of work that can be applied to a range of industries. By enrolling in a master’s degree program with a broad range of business intelligence courses, individuals could be opening the door to a plethora of opportunities. People who pursue an advanced degree, such as a master’s in data science, develop business intelligence acumen, allowing them to become management analysts, operations research analysts, information security analysts, market research analysts, and more. Depending on the role, business intelligence professionals with a background in data science have the qualifications and experience to work in the government, for corporations, small businesses, or other organizations looking to leverage data insights to meet and exceed business goals. 

As technology continues to advance, business intelligence professionals like management analysts could be called on to continue guiding and assisting in the decision-making process. They may be expected to design strategies to improve ROI, uncover customer trends and help companies gain a competitive advantage within a given industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of management analyst jobs is projected to increase 14 percent from 2020 to 2030. That’s much faster than the growth rate for most occupations, which is a direct result of the need for data-driven business decisions. 

Business intelligence is a data-focused field centered around finding the most accurate and innovative ways to gather, organize, and analyze data to be used in the decision making process. Because data is at the core of business intelligence and the field itself cannot be carried out without the use of data, education and proper training in how to use data properly can set individuals up to enter the workforce. 

For example, data is used during every stage of the business process, including sales, supply chain, and marketing. Business intelligence software is used during the sales process to monitor and manage data in real time.  With supply chains, data is used to identify where there are errors or operational inefficiencies so businesses can easily pinpoint areas for improvement. Data is also used in marketing to track performance and examine how the audience is interacting with and perceiving marketing materials.   

Evidently, having a deep understanding of how to extract and utilize data is helpful for individuals who want to work in business intelligence. 

For individuals pursuing careers in business intelligence, taking courses as part of a master’s in data science program may prove beneficial. Courses that teach students how to properly examine, understand, communicate, and use data are designed to prepare individuals for business intelligence roles. 

Foundational courses like Introduction to Data Science Programming, Statistics for Data Science, and Fundamentals of Data Engineering give students a strong educational base that familiarizes them with working with data. Machine learning, data visualization, deep learning, and other advanced courses in statistics and data engineering will provide students with additional skills to be competitive in the field. There are many components to working in this field, so courses are intended to cover basic knowledge, trends, modern data technology and software, as well as consumer behavior and business insights to fully encompass the entire field of work that is business intelligence. 

Additionally, courses that focus on the human element of data will help prospective business intelligence professionals understand the way the average consumer thinks and makes decisions, and why that behavior changes over time. 

Business intelligence cannot be carried out without the use of data and innovative technology. Completing a comprehensive graduate degree program in data science is a common step toward becoming a business intelligence professional. Additional training may also be necessary to become fluent in data. Enrolling in a master’s in data science program could be a starting point for interested individuals.

UC Berkeley’s School of Information offers a Master’s in Data Science program online that equips students with the knowledge and skills to not only become experts, but to become leaders in data. The multidisciplinary curriculum, experienced faculty, and flexible online learning environment offer students the opportunity to learn and grow in the data field. Students can also choose to focus their education on business intelligence, making it a viable option for individuals interested in entering that field.