Jillian Wedin is yet another alumna exemplifying how the Wisconsin School of Business MSBA program serves as a launchpad for extraordinary careers! Graduating in 2023, Jillian shares the details of her current role at Michels Corporation and how the program helped her get there.
Expanding Her Technical Skillset
While earning her undergraduate degree in Finance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Jillian gained valuable exposure to the field through several internships with a strong analytical focus. Specifically, Jillian found her role as an Investment Banking Summer Analyst for Guggenheim Partners in New York to be especially insightful. She worked primarily with Excel to create financial models that provide valuation for mergers and acquisitions and IPO’s. Discovering the increasingly prevalent role data analytics play in the finance industry, Jillian sought out the opportunity to expand her technical skillset with the MSBA program.
Jillian credits the program with expanding the scope of her career options post-graduate. Gaining exposure to, and a basic skillset with, Tableau, Power BI, Python, R, and advanced SQL allowed her to explore career paths she hadn’t previously considered including Financial Data Analyst, BI Analyst, and Data Scientist. Jillian notes that “the program took time to provide students with exposure to different career opportunities through employee presentations in the Current Topics class, career fairs, networking trips, and the consulting capstone project.”
Driving Impact Through Data
Now thriving as an Operations Financial Analyst at Michels Corporation, Jillian embodies the pillars of the MSBA program while making a meaningful impact in her role. Specifically, she supports Michels Trenchless, Inc. (MTI), one of the operational companies within the greater Michels family of companies. Jillian explains that Trenchless construction utilizes innovative solutions for the new installation or rehabilitation of utilities and is a much more sustainable, cost effective, and efficient option compared to traditional construction methods. “In my role, I perform financial analytics and provide month-end, quarterly, and annual reporting to MTI stakeholders,” shares Jillian. Her role also includes transforming traditional Excel financial reports into Power BI dashboards and utilizing SQL feeds that connect to the accounting ERP system to provide stakeholders with real-time data.
Having a variety of responsibilities and roles within her position allows Jillian the opportunity to tackle new challenges daily. “It is exciting to be able to interact so closely with operations and see the findings of my analysis come to fruition through actionable initiatives,” explains Jillian, noting she has been able to travel to three different project sites to see first-hand the industry-leading work she is a part of. She also shares how the private, family-owned company stands out in the mentorship, growth and development opportunities they provide new hires with.
Maintaining Strong Connections
Reflecting on her time as a Badger, Jillian explains one of the most impactful parts of the program was being able to establish and maintain strong connections with peers, faculty and alumni. “I still keep in touch with many of my classmates from the program today, and we continue to support each other and current students in searching for new roles,” explains Jillian, who is now a part of the strong WSB alumni network she was able to leverage during the early years of her career. Jillian advises current and future students to build their network and take advantage of the ways they can help during time spent at UW. Navigating the sometimes- intimidating job search process is something Jillian expresses being happy to help students with. Jillian also highlights the importance of setting aside time to enjoy yourself and explore the city of Madison!
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