Utilizing Biostatistics Skillset in a Corporate Setting
Location
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Description
PURPOSE: An integral part of the PSM program is for students to acquire experience in a professional setting, and to apply what they have learned in the classroom. This internship experience involved statistical modeling, and translating that to a useful tool for the company through the Marketing Analytics Strategic and Promotional Planning team. While working for Meijer may not seem to fit with a degree in Biostatistics, the skills acquired in the program are quite transferrable to this setting. CHALLENGES: The work involved learning two new software packages, acquiring knowledge of the databases, and a general understanding of reference points for size, increases/decreases, etc. for the company. Additionally, there were many changes and additions to this project in the early stages. Experience and Outcomes: Analytics is a growing and important field in the business world. Valuable experience was gained in working with big data that requires a lot of cleaning and restructuring. Utilizing skills in SAS as well as gaining experience in Teradata SQL, and ArcGIS were extremely valuable. The techniques of multiple linear regression analysis and Poisson regression analysis were utilized. IMPACT: This project was very visible throughout the Marketing department at Meijer. There were numerous opportunities to work with and learn from many individuals with varying skillsets. Additional projects were assigned utilizing skills that had been acquired as well as the model that was developed, providing added experience and refining of these skills.
Utilizing Biostatistics Skillset in a Corporate Setting
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
PURPOSE: An integral part of the PSM program is for students to acquire experience in a professional setting, and to apply what they have learned in the classroom. This internship experience involved statistical modeling, and translating that to a useful tool for the company through the Marketing Analytics Strategic and Promotional Planning team. While working for Meijer may not seem to fit with a degree in Biostatistics, the skills acquired in the program are quite transferrable to this setting. CHALLENGES: The work involved learning two new software packages, acquiring knowledge of the databases, and a general understanding of reference points for size, increases/decreases, etc. for the company. Additionally, there were many changes and additions to this project in the early stages. Experience and Outcomes: Analytics is a growing and important field in the business world. Valuable experience was gained in working with big data that requires a lot of cleaning and restructuring. Utilizing skills in SAS as well as gaining experience in Teradata SQL, and ArcGIS were extremely valuable. The techniques of multiple linear regression analysis and Poisson regression analysis were utilized. IMPACT: This project was very visible throughout the Marketing department at Meijer. There were numerous opportunities to work with and learn from many individuals with varying skillsets. Additional projects were assigned utilizing skills that had been acquired as well as the model that was developed, providing added experience and refining of these skills.