Great Lakes‘ Post Graduate Program in Business Analytics: Enabling Career Transitions in 2026 and Beyond

As the demand for data-driven decision makers soars across industries, experienced professionals are increasingly looking to upskill and transition into analytics careers. Great Lakes Institute of Management‘s Post Graduate Program in Business Analytics (PGPBA) has emerged as a top choice for those seeking to make this shift, thanks to its industry-aligned curriculum, experienced faculty, and unique blended learning model. In this in-depth review, we‘ll analyze how the program is enabling successful career pivots in 2024 and beyond.

The Analytics Skills Gap and Market Demand

The World Economic Forum‘s Future of Jobs Report 2020 predicts that by 2025, analytical thinking, creativity, and flexibility will be among the top skills employers seek. LinkedIn‘s Future of Skills 2019 Report also found that analytical reasoning is the #1 skill companies need.

Yet, there remains a significant shortage of professionals with the right blend of business acumen, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities to fill these roles. A 2021 survey by Deloitte found that 67% of U.S. executives do not believe they have the right talent for their future analytics needs.

This is where programs like Great Lakes‘ PGPBA come in, bridging the skills gap by training experienced professionals to leverage analytics in a business context.

Program Overview and Structure

The 11-month PGPBA is designed specifically for working professionals, with a flexible blend of online coursework, in-person classes, and industry-mentored projects.

Blended Learning Model

• Online content in partnership with Jigsaw Academy covers technical skills
• In-person classes at Great Lakes‘ Gurgaon and Chennai campuses focus on business applications
• 40% of classroom time dedicated to industry interaction through guest lectures, case studies, etc.

This unique model ensures participants gain hands-on technical skills while also building the business acumen and problem-solving abilities to apply analytics in real-world scenarios.

Module-Based Curriculum

The curriculum is structured into 3 key modules:

1. Business Foundations (4 months): Covers core management concepts like marketing, finance, strategy, and operations
2. Analytics Foundations (4 months): Delves into statistical techniques, tools like R/Python, and machine learning through assignments and case studies
3. Industry Applications (3 months): Domain-specific analytics in areas like marketing, retail, finance, HR, and supply chain, culminating in an industry-mentored capstone project

This phased approach allows participants to gradually build analytics competencies on top of a strong business base.

Participant Profile and Career Outcomes

The PGPBA attracts a diverse cohort, primarily mid-career professionals looking to incorporate analytics into their current roles or fully transition into analytics careers.

Class of 2023 Profile

• Average Experience: 9.5 years
• Average Age: 34 years
• Background:
  • IT/Software: 42%
  • Sales/Marketing: 24%
  • Consulting: 14%
  • Operations: 11%
  • Other: 9%

While the program does not offer formal placements, it does provide a host of career support resources, including:

• Resume building and interview preparation workshops
• Alumni mentorship and networking opportunities
• Access to analytics job postings from partner companies

The program has an active alumni network of 3000+ graduates across 400+ companies. A 2022 alumni survey found:

• 62% transitioned into analytics roles within 6 months of graduation
• 45% received a salary hike of 20% or more post-program
• 78% said the program exceeded their expectations in terms of career impact

Several graduates have gone on to lead analytics functions at top firms like Amazon, McKinsey, Walmart, and Accenture.

Alumni Spotlight

"The PGPBA was a turning point in my career. The program equipped me with the skills to transition from a software developer role to an analytics manager position at a leading retailer. The industry-relevant curriculum and hands-on projects were key to this pivot." – Rajeev S., Class of 2022

"As a sales professional, I was looking for a program to help me incorporate data-driven insights into my work. The PGPBA not only taught me analytics techniques but also how to apply them in a business context. Post-program, I was able to transition into a sales analytics role within my company." – Priya K., Class of 2023

Great Lakes PGPBA: Standout Features

In the crowded market of analytics upskilling programs, Great Lakes‘ PGPBA differentiates itself in several ways:

1. Industry-Oriented Curriculum: Designed in partnership with analytics industry leaders to emphasize business applications
2. Experiential Learning: Hands-on assignments, case studies, and capstone projects make up 70% of the assessment
3. Faculty: Experienced academicians and industry practitioners with decades of analytics expertise
4. Flexible Format: Combines online and in-person sessions to cater to working professionals across India
5. ROI: Proven track record of enabling significant salary hikes and career transitions

Is the PGPBA Right for You?

The ideal candidate for the PGPBA is an experienced professional (5+ years) in a functional role looking to leverage analytics to advance their career. This could include:

• Mid-level managers seeking data-driven decision making skills
• Domain experts (sales, marketing, finance, HR) aiming to incorporate analytics into their work
• Entrepreneurs looking to optimize their business with data insights
• Technology professionals wanting to transition into analytics roles

However, the program may not be the best fit for:

• Early-career candidates or recent graduates (the program requires 3+ years of experience)
• Those seeking a fully online or self-paced course (the PGPBA has required in-person sessions)
• Individuals looking for a very technical/coding-heavy program (the PGPBA emphasizes business applications over algorithms)

The Final Verdict

For experienced professionals serious about building analytics skills to advance their careers, Great Lakes‘ PGPBA is a top choice. Its industry-aligned curriculum, experiential learning pedagogy, and stellar faculty equip participants with the tools to make real impact in their organizations.

The program‘s strong alumni outcomes and industry connects are testament to its efficacy in enabling career transitions. If you‘re willing to put in the hard work, the PGPBA can be a launchpad into a rewarding analytics career.

As the demand for data-savvy managers and analytics professionals grows, upskilling with a focused program like the PGPBA can be a smart investment in your future. With its proven track record and unique blend of technical, business, and problem-solving skills development, the program is well-positioned to groom the next generation of analytics leaders.