Our first student spotlight of the year is Dierre Johnson! Dierre is originally from Kansas City but has been a Badger ever since, completing his undergraduate studies at UW-Madison prior to becoming a Master of Science in Business Analytics student. Earning a master’s degree has always been a long-term goal for Dierre, and his major in Information Systems provided him with a strong foundation in data analytics, motivating him to develop this skill set further. Outside of his academic endeavors, Dierre enjoys running, yoga, going on adventures, and being with his friends and family in his free time!
Prepared and Entrepreneurial
The MSBA program has helped Dierre prepare for his post-graduate plans which include continuing to run a start-up on campus called SideShift. SideShift is a digital platform that helps students easily find and apply to multiple part-time positions near them with a single click. With the launch of the website and mobile app in June of 2024, SideShift was designed to feel like a modern-day Indeed but with a fresh, visually appealing format. “We encourage students to showcase their true selves, incorporating social media highlights and personality-driven profiles to stand out,” Dierre says.
Real Time Application
Dierre’s responsibilities at SideShift include user acquisition for both job seekers and employers, content creation, brand recognition, and back-end operations like CRM configuration, data analysis, and reporting. Dierre’s MSBA coursework has allowed him to hone in specifically on the technical aspect of his analytic skill set. He shares, “not only do I feel comfortable using SQL, Tableau, and advanced Excel functions, but now I can apply those technologies to my startup and become a more valuable asset to the company.”
Dierre has found the organization of the MSBA program to be very conducive to his learning. In contrast to undergraduate studies where the focus lies in exams and readings; he finds the collaborative project-based work he has done so far has allowed him to gain a deeper understanding of the material. This style allows him to comprehend and apply the information he is learning, setting him up for success when he goes on to grow SideShift.
Be a “Yes” Person
Dierre’s advice to current and future students? “Be a yes person. Be open to as many new opportunities, risks, and challenges as possible whether that is putting yourself out there at the career fair or simply going for a run with a friend. You never know what could come of it! Having an open mind will open up your life to so many different people, places, and experiences.”
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