Business Analytics Courses Connect M.B.A. Grad to Position With Duquesne Light Company

Meet Jasmina Nikolic

Job title: Business Systems Analyst, II
Employer: Duquesne Light Company
Degrees earned: M.B.A. with a concentration in Management Information Systems, 2016, and Bachelor of Science in Business Management, 2014, Point Park University
Scholarship from Point Park: Graduate Merit Scholarship
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
High school: Keystone Oaks High School
Now living in: Dormont, Pa.
Hobbies/interests: Fundraising activities and networking
LinkedIn: Jasmina Nikolic

"Jasmina's educational background and business experience were exactly what we were looking for in this role. Her ability to bridge the gap between IT and the business is a valuable asset for us. Receiving an M.B.A. with a concentration in management information systems prepared Jasmina to quickly apply new business concepts and system terminology to our everyday business. Jasmina uses her systems skills that she gained at Point Park to query and analyze data to allow business leaders to make effective business decisions."

-- Jennifer Neiswonger, Manager, Customer Experience, Duquesne Light Company

Tell us about how your M.B.A. business analytics classes helped you land your position with Duquesne Light Company.

The business analytics courses in the M.B.A. program gave me in-depth knowledge of how to combine SQL databases information with data mining analytics in order to analyze data at hand. Dr. Mark Voortman gave me the confidence I needed to succeed.

Upon graduating, a special talent acquisition agent from Duquesne Light Company scouted me via LinkedIn and helped me find a position that would best compliment my business analytics skill set.

What factors made you choose Point Park for both undergraduate and graduate school?

Point Park gave me work and life balance. I could be there for my family and still meet the goals I set for myself.

Also, the faculty was very respectful and always made themselves available. My biggest factor in choosing Point Park was the location of the University because it was very convenient and easily accessible.

Tell us about the work you do as a business systems analyst.

As a business systems analyst II, I gather complex data and convert the data to metrics. I then analyze the information at hand and present the metrics to business leaders to help them make effective business decisions.

What were your favorite classes at Point Park?

My favorite classes were the Special Topics Course in Business Analytics and Database Management and Applications, which were both taught by Dr. Voortman. These two classes were outside of my comfort level. Dr. Voortman is very passionate about his work and it showed in the way he taught. These were definitely great classes for curious minds.

What are your career goals?

My long-term career goal is to be the chief operating officer for an innovative hi-tech company.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

This achievement would have not been possible without the many people who helped me through this journey. Support from family and friends was imminent to my success. I would really like to say thank you to my husband, Darko, for his moral support, and to my two brothers, Edis and Ernad, who have raised me to be the strong and agile woman that I am today.

Additionally, I will always be grateful for my best friends, including Tanja who encouraged me to enroll at Point Park University, and to Amy and Anne, who did everything to help me through my last two classes with Dr. Voortman. I'm eternally grateful and blessed for all the amazing people in my life.

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More About: scholarships, M.B.A., Rowland School of Business, alumni, business management, Keystone Oaks High School

Business Analytics Courses Connect M.B.A. Grad to Position With Duquesne Light Company Wednesday, August 9, 2017