Nazarian College MSBANA Student Mary Reynosa Prepares for a Data-Driven Career

As she prepares to address her classmates as the student speaker at the Nazarian College graduate hooding ceremony, Mary Reynosa reflects on a journey defined by growth, collaboration and career readiness.

Reynosa, who earned her bachelor’s degree in information systems from Nazarian College in 2023, returned to the college to pursue her Master of Science in Business Analytics program in fall 2024. The two-year, part-time evening program is designed to equip students with technical and analytical skills for data-driven careers.

“Business analytics is still a relatively new field, and there aren’t many programs like this,” Reynosa said. “I had a great experience during my undergraduate studies here, so continuing at Nazarian College felt like the right choice.”

During her time in the BANA program, Reynosa discovered a passion for turning data into insights. Faculty support played a key role in that development.

“Professors were always available, whether through office hours or one-on-one support,” she said. “That made a big difference in staying on track and really understanding the material.”

Beyond technical skills, the program emphasized collaboration—an experience Reynosa says helped prepare her for the workplace.

“One of the biggest benefits was the community,” she said. “We studied together, solved problems together and learned from each other’s perspectives. That kind of teamwork mirrors what you’ll see in real-world data roles.”

The MSBANA program also helped Reynosa grow professionally in unexpected ways. Once self-described as shy, she credits the program’s group work and presentations with strengthening her communication skills.

“There’s a lot of collaboration, and you’re constantly explaining your ideas,” she said. “That pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me become more confident.”

Outside the classroom, Reynosa further developed her expertise as an Excel tutor and teaching assistant within the systems and operations management department, supporting undergraduate students while reinforcing her own technical knowledge. She also took initiative among her peers, organizing study groups and creating shared learning materials.

These experiences, combined with hands-on coursework, have prepared her and her classmates to enter a competitive job market with practical, applicable skills.

“Even when roles aren’t labeled ‘business analytics,’ the skills we’ve learned—data analysis, problem-solving and communication—apply across industries,” she said.

Looking ahead, Reynosa hopes to pursue a leadership role in data analytics, with interests spanning entertainment, education and finance. Long term, she aspires to return to academia.

“My goal is to become a professor,” she said. “I’ve really enjoyed teaching and mentoring, and I’d love to come back to CSUN one day.”

As she prepares her hooding ceremony speech, Reynosa plans to reflect on uncertainty and growth—themes that resonate with many graduates entering today’s workforce.

“We’re stepping into something new, and that can feel uncertain,” she said. “But it’s also important to recognize how much we’ve accomplished and be confident in the skills we’ve gained.”

For prospective MSBANA students, her advice is simple: stay engaged and take the program seriously.

“Work with your classmates, connect with your professors and be open to learning,” she said. “You don’t have to come from a technical background to succeed—there’s creativity in this field, too.”

Through collaborative learning and real-world application, Nazarian College’s MS in Business Analytics program continues to equip students with the tools they need to succeed in data-driven careers.