A desire to absorb as much knowledge as possible and business and data analytics has led Emilee Skidgel ’22 on a path to postgraduate work with acceptance into the University of Notre Dame – Mendoza College of Business, Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program. Hailing from Diamond Bar, California, she is finishing her undergraduate degree at Holy Cross College this spring with a major in business and a minor in sports management.
“My business degree from Holy Cross College has set me up well to tackle the management and leadership side of the business world. An area of business I am not too familiar with but wish to become knowledgeable in is the data analytical side. I truly believe business and data analytics is the future. It’s already advancing in the business world today and there is a high demand in this area of expertise,” notes Skidgel.
Postgrad work
In August 2022, she will begin her postgraduate studies and complete the program in May 2023. Within the program, she will have a better understanding of the techniques and challenges of data while being able to tell the stories of data in a powerful way, according to the Mendoza College of Business. This unique program is a STEM-designed degree program designed for new graduates and professionals with less than two years of work experience.
“I applied for this program because I want to grow the good in business, especially where it’s needed most – corporate America. I have a passion for acquiring the necessary skills that are needed to be most useful and adaptable in our growing technological world while actively practicing and promoting the common good,” said Skidgel, who was a resident assistant in James Hall for two years, the student body president, and a member of the College’s presidential search committee.
Impactful moment
“College was always something I looked forward to since I was in middle school. I knew I was ready to be on my own and start my own journey. I wasn’t at all sad about leaving home until I was saying goodbye to my parents on freshmen move-in day in August of 2018. As we were exchanging hugs and wiping tears in the lobby of North Hall, my dad hugs me tight, as his hugs always are, and says to me, ‘you are in the perfect place at the perfect time. Take advantage of all the amazing opportunities you have here,’ ” recalls Skidgel. “My original plan of going to college, getting good grades, graduating, and finding a job went out the window that day. I knew God had placed me exactly where I needed to be to do great things. I knew my parents worked hard their entire lives to give me the opportunity to go to college and do amazing things, so I made a promise to myself that I would, and as I am reflecting on my undergraduate career, I humbly sit here knowing that I kept that promise.”
Future plans
“After graduate school, I hope to pursue a career in the sports industry, working my way up to being Director of Operations for a professional NFL team. I also believe it’s important to keep your heart and mind open to other career paths whenever you are entering into something new. This is why the possibility of going to law school after graduate school to earn my sports law certificate to become a sports agent is a route, I have thought about taking,” said Skidgel.