Industries change. You’ve probably noticed that businesses thrive on their ability to rapidly gather, interpret, present and incorporate information into their business models. Regardless of whether you’re thinking of a career change or if you already run a business and need to learn as much as you can, you could probably benefit from a graduate course in business analytics at RMIT.

This is the first qualification of its kind in Australia. As the only university that offers a graduate certificate analytics program, this course offers an education that simply cannot be acquired elsewhere except through years of industry experience. In addition, this course puts a primary focus on functional decision-making, problem-solving, and on developing communication and presentation skills so that key information never goes to waste – in other words, everything a professional needs to become a business leader rather than just an analyst.

So, let’s talk about what you’ll learn and what you should focus on to get the most out of the course.

Course Content

The graduate course comprises three core subjects and five electives that you can use to tailor your course content. The core content focuses on business analytics, predictive analysis, visualisation and communication. These core subjects will form the basis of your education and will offer the foundations for new directions moving forwards. As for those new directions, the course offers five electives of which each graduate may choose one with which to inform and direct their course. The electives they may choose from are finance and management, workforce insights, consumers and marketing, understanding and modifying supply chains, and a general course in analysis, strategy and change. Through these electives, any prospective graduate can further their skills across a wide range – however as only one elective can be taken it is highly recommended that students consider where they want to go.

If you’re reading this, then you probably already have some idea of what you’d like to do. But if you don’t consider where you’d like to see yourself immediately after the course. If you want to work in marketing, the Consumer Analytics course is for you. If you want to manage logistics and supply chains, then try Supply Chain Modelling and Design. To improve your skill as a business owner or manager, Financial Analytics for Managerial Decisions is the way to go. For Human Resources try Workforce Analytics and Insights, and for a career in research and analysis, consider Analytics, Strategy and Change.

Identifying where you’d like to specialise is always best to do earlier rather than later, especially with a course like this, but if you can’t decide, don’t worry. You have time. Courses are available throughout the year and staff are available to help guide you through the process. But even if you still can’t decide – or you have decided and want to know where to start – you can give yourself a leg up by following some universal advice.

How to Get Ahead

Although nothing compares to formal education, there are a number of techniques that you can employ to improve your work and push your education even further.

• Begin building your study habits – even as little as getting into a regular routine or working to clear your schedule in advance of class can make all the difference.
• Start reading. After you’re enrolled you will get access to the texts and other primary reference material for the course, get started on these at your earliest convenience!
• Choose your specialisation early. If you can’t decide, read some introductory works from outside the course material – even a little time on business websites or Wikipedia can help ground you and improve your understanding going forwards.
• Meet your fellow students. The sooner you can start study groups and share experience, the more all of you will get out of the course – even if you’re not the sort of student who works best in groups you might find other students who have developed highly effective study techniques you can learn from.
• Contact the course coordinator and lecturers – not only are they there to teach, but they can direct you to more specialised materials and they have inside knowledge of many industries you can make use of.
• Make use of your student assistance and student liaison officers – they’re there to answer your questions, support you, and help you find what you’re looking for.
• Be prepared to change your mind. You might go into this course ready to break into a career in management, but as you start learning you might discover that one of the other specialities captures your passion in a way you didn’t expect. This is a good thing! Education is as much about discovery as it is about learning, and finding your passion is just as vital.

What To Do Now

Now you just have to enrol! Head on over to your university of choice, check out the entry requirements and start emailing lecturers, course coordinators and whoever else you need to in order to get the ball rolling. RMIT is the university of skilled hands and cultivated minds and just by reading this, you’re already on your way. So what are you waiting for?! Get started and don’t just change the future, create it.