KU Offers Big Data Workshops to Kansas City Area Professionals
OVERLAND PARK (Aug. 24, 2017) – While every strategy seems to start and end with “data,” many professionals struggle to successfully build teams, run an organization and make key business decisions based on these figures. Local managers and decision makers with little or no data science experience can augment their knowledge at KU’s third Big Data for Managers and Decision Makers Workshop, a three-part program with half-day sessions from 8:30 a.m. – Noon on Sept. 22 and 29 and Oct. 6 at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park.
From decoding jargon and terminology to building the right team and overcoming technical and adaptive challenges, workshop attendees will learn to:
- Evaluate the technical landscape in basic terms;
- Hire and lead data professionals, even when they aren’t one;
- Ask for the right data and analysis;
- Eliminate deficiencies and test solutions in projects and processes;
- Confidently present data-backed findings and proposals;
- And apply insights to earn and retain more customers.
The workshop builds on previous sessions, and attendees will gain new perspective from case studies featuring regional companies successfully using Big Data. The next workshop is tentatively scheduled for early 2018.
“Many tech skills are in high demand due to a shortage of workers with those necessary skills. In the most recent Harvey Nash/KMPG CIO Survey, Big Data skills topped the list,” said Ryan Weber, president of the KC Tech Council. “Kansas City is home to more than 3,700 tech employers and many are eager to attract talent to help them stay competitive. Tech has two forms of currency: people and data. It’s been a while since many of us have been in the classroom. The Big Data Workshop is a valuable opportunity to sharpen skills and remain competitive in the tech industry.”
Christopher Schultz, principal and chief operations officer at Analytic Marketing Innovations, attended the February 2017 workshop and notes its relevance for local businesses.
"As somebody active in business development for an analytics consulting firm, I found the Big Data for Managers and Decision Makers Workshop to be an excellent overview of the state of the science, placed in specific, relevant context for business owners,” Schultz said. “Struggling with where analytics fits in your business model? Take this class."
In response to local and national market demand, KU Professional & Continuing Education also offers working professionals part-time, 24-week boot camps covering sought-after skill sets in the technology world. The Coding Boot Camp is in the middle of its first session, which started in June 2017 with the next starting in September, and the Data Analytics Boot Camp launches in November 2017. The curricula focuses on the most in-demand specifications in the local market and leads students through the basics to intensive training and experiential learning activities. Not only do these programs equip students with vital skills in a high-demand field, but they also provide access to a valuable network of corporate partners who are looking to hire graduates.
“At the KU Edwards Campus, we are committed to delivering top-notch education to adult learners and supplying the local workforce with the talent they need to succeed,” said David Cook, vice chancellor of the KU Edwards Campus. “We are continually impressed with the drive of our students. They are eager to learn and to better themselves, their career and the community. In fields such as data analytics, web development and other technology-based professions, continuing education is especially important.”
Register now
To learn more about and register for the Big Data for Managers and Decision Makers Workshop, call Justine Hamilton, program manager, at 913-897-8718.
About The University of Kansas Edwards Campus
The KU Edwards Campus at 127th Street and Quivira Road in Overland Park brings the high-quality academic, professional and continuing education programs as well as research and public-service benefits of KU to the Greater Kansas City community in order to serve the workforce, economic and community development needs of the region.
