Closing the Gap: How the MSBA Helped Casey Emmons Find His Path

When Casey Emmons decided to apply to Notre Dame’s Master of Science in Business Analytics program, he had just two days left before the final deadline. He almost didn’t hit submit.

After early academic experiences at large institutions where access to professors felt limited and impersonal, Casey had grown wary of returning to the classroom. Notre Dame carried prestige, and with it, a certain intimidation factor. But what he found instead was something entirely different.

“It clicked,”  he says simply. “From the moment I got here.”

A Nonlinear Path to Analytics

Casey’s academic and professional journey has never followed a straight line, and that’s precisely what makes it powerful.

He began his undergraduate career studying mechanical engineering at Michigan State, then aerospace engineering at the University of Illinois, before ultimately earning a degree in Technical Systems Management within an agriculture-focused program. The curriculum was designed to prepare students to manage large-scale farming operations, but along the way, Casey discovered something unexpected: a love for coding.

While working for an electrical company in Chicago, he began automating processes wherever he could. That curiosity opened doors. Through a connection with Wolverine Trading, he met the firm’s controller and soon found himself at Performance Trust, where he spent nine years working his way into business intelligence and, eventually, an AI-focused role.

“I’ve always been a self-taught learner,”  Casey explains. “School wasn’t traditionally my learning style. I learned best by doing.”

Still, he knew there were gaps he needed to fill, especially in statistics and machine learning. His coding skills were strong, but he wanted formal training to solidify his foundation and take the next step.

That’s when his employer pointed him toward Notre Dame’s MSBA program.

Taking the Leap

Casey wasn’t looking to simply add a credential. He was looking to pivot.

“I didn’t have the statistics background I needed,”  he says. “And honestly, I was scared of school.”

The MSBA offered exactly what he needed: rigor without rigidity and structure paired with real-world application. Despite applying at the last minute and without considering other programs, Casey took the leap.

“I didn’t think I’d get in,”  he admits. “Notre Dame felt… big. But once I arrived, I realized how wrong my assumptions were.”

A Program That Makes You Feel Like You Matter

What made the biggest difference wasn’t just the curriculum. It was the people.

Small class sizes, accessible professors, and one-on-one mentorship reshaped how Casey experienced learning. Faculty members didn’t just teach. They welcomed debate, encouraged curiosity, and made students feel seen.

“You felt like you mattered,”  he says. “They empowered you to do anything.”

One professor in particular, Professor Sharif Nijim, left a lasting impression. “Sharif did a cartwheel after a presentation once,”  Casey laughs. “But more than that, he was an incredible mentor. I looked forward to every single class.”

Coming into the program with years of work experience shaped how Casey approached team projects and discussions. He already knew how to operate in professional environments, and that perspective allowed him to contribute deeply while also learning through teaching others.

“I learned a lot by helping my teammates,”  he says. “Explaining concepts forces you to really understand them.”

Skills That Translate in Real Time

The MSBA didn’t just prepare Casey for the next step. It actively shaped his work while he was still in the program.

Statistics, machine learning, cloud computing, and Python weren’t abstract concepts; they were tools he immediately applied on the job. In a capstone project, Casey helped build a system that generated synthetic data using Chicago crime reports, repairing missing data and synthetically generating data with high fidelity.

“It was external-facing, challenging, and exactly what I wanted,”  he says. “You could go above and beyond if you chose to.”

That choice to lean in defined his experience.

“You can choose to engage with the data or not,”  he recalls Sharif saying. “The data is there the whole time.”

Life After the MSBA

Today, Casey is a Senior Data Strategist, splitting his time between Chicago and New York City. His days move seamlessly between coding, cloud infrastructure, and building tools and analytics that help traders intelligently execute with clients.

He’ll spend hours building systems in Python, then pivot into meetings with clients, agency partners, or traders to walk through what’s working and what’s not. It’s dynamic, fast-paced, and far from a traditional 9-to-5.

“There’s a lot of after-hours work,” he says. “A lot of relationship-building. That surprises people.”

The Notre Dame network has been just as impactful. From immediate job offers to alumni meetings that turn into hours-long conversations, the ND name carries weight.

“Being an ND graduate opens doors,” Casey says. “People invest in you as a whole person.”

Looking Back, Looking Forward

For those considering the MSBA, especially professionals who’ve been out of school for a while, his advice is simple:

“Just jump. The experience is incredible. It’s like drinking from a fire hose in the best way possible.”

Reflecting on his time at Notre Dame, Casey describes the MSBA as a kind of slingshot, powered by the gravity of the institution and its people, launching him toward new heights.

Energized, challenged, and confident.