Interviewer/Professor Interview: SMU MITB (Master of IT in Business), a Professor Reveals Job-Hunting & Interview Secrets! (Part 2)

Link to part 1: Graduate interview: She finished SMU's MITB (Master of IT in Business) and landed a job in Singapore! (Part 1)

Face to face with an SMU professor and interviewer

Today I've invited a professor and interviewer from SMU to talk about curriculum design, building student skills and industry needs, so you can get a deeper understanding of what makes their school stand out and how it helps students' careers. It's the first time I've had someone from a school share first-hand insights directly, and their views on both the program and the workplace are packed with practical value!

Curriculum design and features

Could you share the core goals of SMU's MITB program? How does the curriculum balance technical skills and business insight?

The MITB program's core focus is developing strong, industry-relevant computing skills, and strengthening critical thinking, analytical ability, data expertise and soft skills such as communication and learning to learn. Learning to learn means being able to adapt and acquire new knowledge in a fast-changing technology landscape.

MITB balances technical and business skills by combining theory with practical application. Hands-on class assessments and projects develop computational and analytical thinking while helping students integrate AI and technology into business contexts. Team-based projects presented to professors or industry sponsors strengthen the communication skills that are crucial in real-world applications. We also work with industry professionals through guest lectures, interactive sessions and real-data projects to build students' adaptability and problem-solving skills. Students can also take internships for extensive hands-on experience, or do a capstone project focused on cutting-edge research, equipping them with advanced skills for industry challenges.

Which courses or projects in MITB do you think help students' careers the most? What specific skills do students usually gain from them?

Our program's core courses (three) and specialization core courses (four) are very beneficial for students' careers. The core courses give students foundational skills in Python programming, computational thinking, evidence-based statistical analysis, business modeling (turning business problems into mathematical ones) and problem solving, all essential for a data science career. The analytics specialization core focuses on advanced technical skills, including business intelligence, machine learning, and data management with relational (SQL) and big data (NoSQL) databases. Students also gain an in-depth understanding of technology architecture, covering data governance, security, scalability and integration. These skills let students effectively support companies' data-driven projects and tackle complex challenges in the field.

Industry connections

How does MITB make sure students' skills match industry needs? Are there company partnership projects or internships to build practical experience?

Industry collaboration is a key part of our program and ensures students gain industry-relevant skills. At the program level, we design the curriculum with feedback from industry partners so that it stays aligned with current industry needs. Extracurricular activities include seminars where students interact with industry experts for broader insights. At the classroom level, industry guest speakers and industry-sponsored class projects bring real-world perspectives straight into the learning environment. Students can do internships and a Capstone Project to gain hands-on experience and guidance from industry, applying their skills in real settings. In addition, at the school level, various research centers work with national research institutions and private companies, giving students the chance to join impactful projects and develop practical skills further. These multiple layers of collaboration ensure students are well prepared to meet industry needs with valuable expertise for handling real-world problems.

What skills or traits do you think companies value most in data analytics and business technology right now? How does MITB help students develop them?

The most important skills in business analytics are analytical thinking and critical thinking. They let students question data and model results, solve problems effectively and support sound business decisions. That said, technical skills are just as important: sharpen your programming, strengthen your understanding of statistics and math, and learn in depth how algorithms and machine learning models work, including their parameters. These technical foundations are essential for applying analytics effectively.

MITB builds these skills through rigorous class assessments and projects. Faculty guide students from ideation through model design and evaluation. Team-based projects encourage collaboration and learning with classmates from different backgrounds. Students present their work and get constructive feedback, which makes sure they're well prepared for the analytics field.

Student development and achievements

Have you seen MITB graduates make achievements or an impact in the workplace? Could you share some success stories showing how they applied what they learned in the program?

Of course. Our graduates have succeeded in all kinds of data roles, such as data analyst, data scientist, data engineer, consultant and product analyst. For example, one graduate joined a large e-commerce company and applies machine learning models to anti-money-laundering work. Another graduate (from Taiwan) had just finished her undergraduate degree when she joined MITB, with no computing background at all, yet she landed a data internship at a Big Four consulting firm and was converted to a full-time digital solutions associate. Similarly, another Taiwanese alum who had worked as a marketing specialist moved into a product analyst role at a large tech company. She now uses her data analytics skills to improve operational efficiency. These examples show that our graduates not only land valuable roles but also use their skills effectively to solve business challenges.

What advice would you give students who want to apply to MITB? What background or skills should they have to get the most out of it?

Honestly, your background or prior skills matter less than your attitude. What matters most is a positive mindset, a willingness to learn, and playing to your strengths with an open mind when facing your weaknesses. Our program is designed to train students from many fields, including business, finance, accounting, science, the arts, economics, engineering and computing. Wherever you start, our industry-relevant curriculum and practice-based assessments ensure meaningful learning.

My advice to applicants is: understand your motivation for pursuing this master's degree, stay positive and curious, work closely with your teammates (they often bring valuable experience and domain knowledge), and enjoy the journey. Take this approach, and you'll naturally get the most out of your learning!

What makes an ideal candidate

What kind of candidate do you think fits MITB best? In interviews, which aspects of a candidate do you pay particular attention to (e.g. technical background, problem-solving ability, business insight)?

The best-fit MITB applicants show a willingness to learn, a curious mindset, logical thinking and a reasonable understanding of math. In interviews, I look for candidates who can clearly explain their past projects, think and present information logically when asked for more detail, and show humility. I'm completely fine with you not knowing everything. Humble people with a strong desire to learn are the ones who make the most of the many opportunities the program offers.

What interviews focus on

In interviews, what questions do you usually ask to assess whether a candidate has the right skills and mindset? How should candidates prepare to show their understanding of data analytics and business?

Usually I have a relaxed conversation to better understand the applicant's career goals and experience. In some cases, we may discuss real business scenarios involving data, giving applicants a chance to show how they understand data can solve real problems. To prepare, it's important to be clear about your career motivation and be ready to discuss your past projects, or any scenario raised in the interview, in depth.

Is there any candidate performance or way of answering that impressed you, especially examples that showed a unique perspective or analytical ability?

I wouldn't say any one applicant left a particularly deep impression on me, but in general, the applicants who do well are well prepared, confident and natural. They're just being themselves. Interviews aren't scary, the interviewers are friendly, so don't worry and there's no need to be nervous.

My advice? Be yourself, relax, listen carefully to the questions and answer thoughtfully. And please skip the pre-scripted lines. Being your genuine self is better.

Workplace expectations and advice

As an interviewer, do you have any advice for students about to start MITB? Which skills should they focus on so they stand out in the workplace after graduating?

Of course! First, technical skills and soft skills go hand in hand. From what I've seen, employers like students with clear concepts (so yes, pay attention in class and put real effort into your MITB assignments and projects. It's worth it!).

They also appreciate people who are independent and proactive. When you get a task, don't just wait for instructions: analyze the problem, explore solutions and try different approaches. If you're unsure, clarify the requirements, but don't forget to work with others either. Respect others, meet deadlines and contribute positively to the team. Employers notice these details, and trust me, they'll all help you stand out after you graduate.

Once successful graduates enter the workplace, which traits or abilities do you think matter most for their careers?

"Learning to learn" and staying positive about feedback! MITB gives our graduates technical skills that are competitive in a data-driven market, but in a fast-changing technology era, continuous learning and adaptation are essential. The "learning to learn" skill emphasized in the MITB program should be applied at work to keep growing and improving. Feedback and change are inevitable: assess what needs improving, how to make the improvements, and which technologies are truly beneficial.

Don't chase every "hyped" trend; use the critical and analytical thinking skills you gained at MITB to find solutions to your organization's real pain points.

If you focus on solving the problems in front of you, won't career progress follow naturally?

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