When Adam Johnson chose Clarkson University, he wasn’t looking for just another business degree—he wanted something versatile, hands-on, and cutting-edge. The Business Intelligence and Data Analytics (BIDA) program offered exactly that. With a blend of technology, business acumen, and real-world tools, the program has helped Adam explore career options across industries, including sports, defense, and finance.
Here’s why Clarkson’s BIDA program stands out.
Learn Industry Tools Like Tableau from Day One
In IS301, students dive into Tableau, one of the top data visualization tools used in industry today. From connecting Excel sheets to building interactive dashboards, the course teaches students to turn complex data into compelling visuals.
Adam’s Experience:
“For our final project, I analyzed hockey player stats using Tableau. It was so cool to see how data can tell a story, and the skills I learned are directly applicable to jobs I’m looking at now.”
Build Databases and Bridge Them with Python
SQL is another essential tool in the BIDA toolkit. Courses like IS415 (Data Warehousing) and IS426 (Big Data Architecture) teach students how to create, manage, and query databases. Even better? Students learn how to connect SQL with Python to automate and scale those operations.
Adam’s Experience:
“Learning how to execute SQL through Python gave me a whole new perspective on automation and big data. These are real technical skills that employers value.”
Develop Broad Business Intelligence & Data Analytics Skills for Any Career Path
In addition to data science and analytics, BIDA majors at Clarkson take courses in finance, supply chain, and economics—preparing them to lead in any business setting. Read more about how we prepare students for their careers in this blog post.
Adam’s Experience:
“I want to start my own business one day. My supply chain and accounting classes taught me how businesses really work—and during my supply chain internship, I even got to use SAP firsthand.”
The Clarkson Advantage of Business Intelligence and Data Analytics
- Real tech skills in Tableau, SQL, Python, and data architecture
- Broad business foundation with courses in economics, accounting, and supply chain
- Hands-on projects that reflect real-world industry tasks
- Career-ready experiences that translate directly to job opportunities
From student-run clubs like Tau Kappa Epsilon, to CCTV, Club Soccer, and more, Adam has made the most of his Clarkson experience. The BIDA program gave him the tools and support to succeed in whatever data-driven path he chooses next.
