About this Program
Do you excel at seeing patterns where others only see random chaos? Does the prospect of analyzing data to reveal insights and help executives make better strategic decisions excite you? Would you like to study why and how consumers interact with the marketplace, products, and services? If so, the Consumer Insights and Analytics (CIA) major may be a great fit for you.
The CIA major is unique among majors because of the multiple real world client projects students complete to gain valuable experience transforming consumer data related to buying behaviors into insights and actionable recommendations then presented to industry executives. Students learn to present their insights as solutions to business problems and have 24/7 access to a state-of-the-art analytics lab with sophisticated software tools and industry datasets.
CIA students are top students that have all gone through a rigorous application process and are committed to supporting each other in the unique cohort model where all the CIA classes are taken together as a group. Lifelong connections are made in this program.
The Consumer Insights and Analytics program boasts a 100% placement rate and some of the highest average starting salaries for LSBE graduates.
Acquired Skills
- Apply industry leading software tools to manage, summarize, and analyze consumer and transaction data. Program prepares students and pays for certification exams in Tableau and Power BI to help students stand out when applying for internships and jobs.
- Multiple opportunities presenting insights into consumer needs and identify sales trends and business opportunities to executives. Building confidence communicating current and actionable recommendations to organizational stakeholders.
Career Possibilities
As decision-making becomes more data-driven, career opportunities for Consumer Insights and Analytics graduates exist in every industry sector. CIA graduates find exciting career opportunities in fields such as:
Marketing & Market Research
- Financial and Actuarial Analysis
- Business & Social Media Analysis
- Inventory Planning
- E-Commerce
Admissions and Scholarships
All CIA students who have successfully completed the first two semesters of the program receive a $1500 scholarship. Other CIA specific scholarships are also available.
All students with a major in LSBE are eligible to apply for more than 120 scholarships, with the total scholarship amount in excess of $200,000 annually.
Student Clubs
The UMD Analytics Club is led by CIA students and is committed to furthering students' interests in marketing and analytics. The club mentors new individuals interested in the field of analytics and teams up with industry experts and CIA alumni to develop skills and experience. The club also plans social events to grow engagement and support among students.
Requirements
Freshmen and transfer students are typically admitted as pre-business students for all BBA majors. Admission to candidacy status, which allows access to upper-division LSBE classes, typically occurs at the junior level when students have successfully completed all pre-major (pre-candidacy) course requirements and met all of the GPA standards.
Students apply for admission to the Consumer Insights and Analytics major during their sophomore year. Admission is based on an application, team interview with current students, and academic record review.
Faculty Highlights
The CIA program at LSBE is managed by Steve Sharkey. As the director of the program, he teaches all the CIA courses, coordinates the summer internship program, and assists students in networking activities. He works closely with the program's industry Advisory Council to offer relevant, real-world learning experiences to students.
Sharkey was most recently an AVP of an Enterprise Center of Excellence for Ascena Retail Group, a $7 billion international women’s clothing conglomerate including Maurices, Justice, Ann Taylor, Loft, Lane Bryant, Catherines, and Dressbarn. He has also led local non-profit boards and consulted with several local small business start-ups to help build their marketing and business plans. Sharkey brings over 30 years of real-world experience working in retail, broadcast television, and national magazine publishing.