When Iris Wang (MMA’26) began McGill’s Master of Management in Analytics (MMA) program, she was looking for a way to pair her technical skills with a more people-focused career. A graduate of McGill's mathematics and computer science programs, Wang enjoyed solving complex problems but wanted work with more human connection.
"I realized I wanted a role where I could talk to people and solve real-world problems," says Wang. "Analytics felt like the right fit because I could use my technical background while working closely with others to turn data into useful decisions."
Graduate studies weren't initially part of her plan, but a conversation with an MMA alum changed her perspective.
"That conversation helped me realize how much I valued being able to speak the language of business while drawing on my technical background," she says. "That was the moment the program felt like a fit for me."
Learning beyond the classroom
For Wang, some of the most valuable experiences came through the MMA capstone project and work with Desautels' DataSphere Lab, where students tackle real business challenges alongside industry partners. These opportunities let her apply analytical techniques in practical settings while building the communication skills employers value.
"I learned just as much about communicating with clients and understanding their needs as I did about the technical work," she says. "I'd encourage students to treat the capstone like a real job."
Balancing coursework, project work and teaching assistant responsibilities also taught her to prioritize, ask questions early and understand a problem fully before trying to solve it.
A community that opens doors
One aspect of the MMA program that exceeded Wang's expectations was the strength of the Desautels community.
Through the program's many alumni networking events, she built meaningful connections and gained insight into different career paths. Along the way, she grew more comfortable engaging with industry professionals and expanding her network.
"The conversations felt more personal and meaningful than the networking I'd done outside of school," she says.
Faculty members also played an important role. After her first summer term, faculty encouraged Wang to pursue teaching and research assistant positions.
"That changed how I saw myself," she says. "I realized that if I worked hard and made my goals known, people in the program would notice and help open doors."
That instinct for teaching extends beyond campus. Wang is also a CASI-certified snowboard instructor, and she sees clear parallels between teaching on the slopes and explaining technical concepts in professional settings.
"Teaching snowboarding taught me to meet people where they are and find an approach that makes sense to them," she says. "When I'm explaining technical work, I think about what the other person needs to understand, not just what I know."
Translating skills into career success
When she entered the MMA, Wang had no internship experience and limited exposure to the corporate world. As the program progressed, she was approaching interviews with greater confidence, backed by practical project experience, industry exposure and a stronger professional mindset. Today, she works as a Senior Analyst at Canadian Tire Corporation, where, within four months, one of her analytical models was already running in production.
"What stood out to me was that they valued my capabilities, not just my years of experience," she says. "They gave me the opportunity to start as a Senior Analyst rather than in a junior role."
Advice for future MMA students
Looking back, Wang believes one of the most important lessons she learned was the value of identifying and addressing skill gaps early.
"If you're starting with no internship or industry experience, don't assume you're already behind," she says. "Figure out what's actually holding you back, whether that's a technical skill, collaboration or communication, and then work to close that gap."
She also encourages students to seek feedback from professors, classmates, alumni and employers, and to use networking conversations to learn what organizations value.
For Wang, landing her role at Canadian Tire is about more than a job title.
"This milestone is proof that it's not just about working hard," she says. "It's about knowing what you're working toward."
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 analytics and data science with a strong emphasis on applied and experiential learning through our 3 Pillars: Quantitative Methods, Technology Automation and Business Application. The MMA program touches on many foundational topics that comprise Artificial Intelligence (AI), covering key areas such as Language Modeling, Image Recognition, Analytic Visualization and Data Architecture Automation. 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.
