10-14-2024
At the recent AnalytixIN Summit, a gathering of industry and academic professionals, my ideation group was challenged with the question of how to better prepare students for the future of work. One clear theme emerged in our conversation: the growing importance of “soft” or essential skills in the workplace. How do we ensure students leave our programs as well-rounded professionals with both the technical expertise needed to do their work well and the essential skills needed to work well with others?
The Krenicki Center for Business Analytics and Machine Learning is dedicated to advancing the field of data-driven decision-making through innovative research and experiential learning. Our Learn-Work-Earn Model engages student teams in hands-on consulting that allows them to leverage advanced analytics and machine learning to solve complex, real-world problems for industry partners. Guided by professional staff and expert faculty, student teams tackle a variety of projects such as optimizing supply chains by predicting ocean travel times or developing interactive dashboards for tracking of System Applications and Products in Data Processing (SAP) transitions. These projects produce tangible outcomes partners can use.
Through their work at the center, students hone both their technical and essential skills. They are challenged to communicate complex data insights to non-technical stakeholders, collaborate across diverse, interdisciplinary teams, and adapt to changing partner and project needs. Navigating these challenges helps them strengthen their essential skills, including communication, teamwork, self-motivation and adaptability, which are becoming increasingly important. The unique experience of working on a paid consulting team and delivering solutions directly to clients gives our students an advantage in the job market.
As we look to the future of work, the rapid pace of change will make these essential skills even more relevant. The Krenicki Center is committed to meeting this need through experiential learning that generates value for our partners and prepares our students to apply both technical and essential skills in the workplace. Our approach ensures graduates enter the workforce as well-rounded leaders capable of working collaboratively, communicating effectively, and adapting confidently.
Liz Jackson is Managing Director of Krenicki Center for Business Analytics and Machine Learning at Purdue’s Mitch Daniels School of Business. She joined Purdue on August 1. Jackson came from Butler University, where she advanced industry and community partnerships to expand the university’s portfolio of non-credit programs, pathways and credentials. Prior to Butler, she was the associate director at the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, where she developed partnership programs for numerous national and global organizations, including Teach for America, UNICEF, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and United Way Worldwide.
