Isabelle Dusablon, who leads the Business Data and Analytics Strategy at McKesson, shares valuable insights into her experience collaborating with MMA students and the significant benefits this partnership has brought to McKesson. By engaging with these talented students, McKesson has been able to explore innovative solutions to complex business challenges, enhancing its data analytics capabilities and driving strategic growth.
Bridging Academia and Industry
The capstone project is a hallmark of the MMA program, designed to immerse students in real-world challenges that companies face. This year, McKesson Canada, a leader in healthcare and retail, partnered with McGill to offer a project focused on advancing its analytics maturity. By working on two distinct initiatives, students could delve into specific use cases that McKesson may not have otherwise explored, ultimately contributing to the company's strategic goals.
"It's been a great experience for McKesson and myself," Isabelle noted. "The partnership with McGill is a step forward in advancing our analytics maturity, and the focused efforts on these initiatives are something we might not have done otherwise."
A Comprehensive Learning Experience
Smitul Soni (MMA '22) highlighted the challenges and learning opportunities encountered during the CoE capstone project. From navigating technical issues to deciding on the best technologies to use, the project offered students a deep dive into real-world problem-solving and decision-making processes. With guidance from the MMA faculty and mentors, students learned to make informed choices and adapt to evolving project needs.
"Within the first couple of months, we faced a lot of technical issues," Soni explained. "We had to decide which technologies to use, and the MMA team, faculty, and mentors were instrumental in helping us move forward."
Real-World Skills and Team Collaboration
Guatamu Edara, MMA ' 22 said, "this was the main highlight as you live the journey of corporate culture for six to eight months".
The McKesson Canada capstone project provided an excellent platform for students to develop their skills in data mining, statistical pattern recognition, and advanced AI applications. Working in teams, students tackled complex problems, collaborated on solutions, and gained insights into the practical applications of their academic knowledge. This hands-on experience was crucial in preparing them for future careers in analytics and AI.
Preparing for Future Careers in Business Analytics
The capstone project offered students a unique opportunity to practice flexibility and adaptability in response to changing project scopes and client needs. This experiential learning environment was invaluable, allowing students to refine their skills in a real-world context. By navigating these challenges within a controlled setting, students were better prepared for the dynamic demands of the job market, where immediate and effective results are crucial.
Success Through Partnership
The partnership between McKesson Canada and McGill University's MMA program produced outstanding results, demonstrating the power of combining academic knowledge with practical application. By concentrating on cutting-edge AI technologies, predictive analytics, and complex data analysis, the capstone project significantly improved McKesson's business processes. At the same time, it provided students with invaluable real-world experience, preparing them for the multifaceted challenges of professional environments.
Collaborations with industry leaders like McKesson Canada allow students to hone their technical and business skills in advanced analytics, data science, machine learning, and Big Data. This experiential learning model ensures that McGill MMA graduates are not only knowledgeable but also ready to address and solve real-world business challenges, driving innovation and success in their future careers.
Master of Management in Analytics (MMA) Program
The McGill Master of Management in Analytics (MMA) degree is a specialized program in the evolving field of business analytics with a strong emphasis on experiential learning. The MMA program provides a foundation in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, covering key areas such as advanced language models, computer vision, and data architecture. Through our comprehensive curriculum, students gain practical skills and knowledge essential for tackling real-world challenges in the rapidly advancing domain of AI and analytics.
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About McKesson Canada
McKesson Canada is a leading diversified healthcare provider supporting Canadians’ healthcare needs, from frontline pharmacy care and working with manufacturers to help patients navigate the complex healthcare system, to distributing more than one third of all medications in Canada and more. McKesson Canada’s history and heritage dates back to the early 1900s. What started out as a national drug company has now evolved into one of the most dynamic healthcare companies in the country.
