Business Analytics Graduate Student Finds Her Path to Success

When Katherine (Katie) Nicholson ’25 M.S. arrived at the University of New Haven to pursue her master's degree in Business Analytics, she brought with her a unique academic background and a strong sense of determination. Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Nicholson spent her high school years in a remote part of northern Michigan.

“I didn’t have many AP classes or a lot of resources in high school,” she recalled. “But that didn’t stop me from pushing myself.” Nicholson went on to the University of Michigan, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Data Science Engineering — a new and rigorous program that blended computer science and statistics.

“I really enjoy having an engineering background,” Nicholson said. “All my friends in college were engineers. I love that mindset of problem solving.” She also found time to minor in Art History, describing it as “a great balance to the technical side” of her studies.

When it came time to continue her education, Nicholson was drawn to the University of New Haven. The opportunity to apply her technical skills to real-world problems in business appealed to her, and the supportive, close-knit environment at the University stood out.

Nicholson’s approach to the job market reflected her experiences as an undergraduate at a large research university. “When I was at Michigan, everyone started applying aggressively for internships in August,” she said. “There was a massive career fair, and most students had job offers by October.”

She stuck with that mindset and began her applications early, targeting a wide variety of roles across both the public and private sectors.

Originally hoping to balance her previous government work with new private sector opportunities, Nicholson cast a wide net — submitting more than 100 applications.

Among the roles she interviewed for were positions at Education First, the Department of Defense, and Ernst & Young. The process was grueling. “The Ernst & Young case interview was multiple hours long,” she said. “But I got accepted, which was really exciting.”

“It felt like a lot of work,” she added, “but it was worth it to see the offers start coming in.”

Nicholson focused on opportunities that allowed her to remain in Connecticut. Throughout the application process in the fall, she also looked for part-time positions she could hold while studying in her final semester.

She accepted a role at Education First, an educational travel company. She spent her time assisting with data analytics for the organization. While only temporary, the opportunity aligned with her skills and offered the flexibility she needed.

“It felt good to be making a meaningful contribution while continuing to build my skills,” she said. “Even in a short-term role, you can grow a lot if you’re in the right environment.”

As she nears Commencement, Nicholson has accepted a full-time offer as a Business Intelligence Analyst at Gartner, a business management consulting company based in Stamford, CT. She brings a blend of Charger determination and a commitment to hard work and critical thinking to every project, and she is excited to take on her new role after Commencement.

“I’m looking forward to using everything I’ve learned in school,” Nicholson said. “I took a lot of MBA classes in addition to my business analytics ones, and I am glad I can use both.”

She also encourages current Chargers to take full advantage of everything the University has to offer, sharing that she believes success is built on a foundation of real-world experiences and a strong support system.

“I’m especially thankful to my professors Brian Marks J.D., Ph.D., and Elif Kongar Ph.D., who really helped me get through this job application, which was a 3-step process, and Gazi Duman, Ph.D., helped me significantly with the salary negotiation." Nicholson shared. “I couldn’t have done it without them.”

As Nicholson looks to the future, she is excited to keep growing, learning, and making a difference. It's clear that for this Charger – and many like her – there is no ceiling on what they can achieve.