Online Business Analytics Master’s Degree Helped One Iowa State Student Earn Two Promotions in 18 Months
Peyten Ballard, a Senior Food Technologist at Simmons Pet Food in Dubuque, Iowa, experienced next-level career growth through the completion of an online master’s degree in business analytics from Iowa State University.
Ballard, who graduated in the summer of 2024, started in her current role just two weeks before her final semester ended. The knowledge, skills, and credentials that Ballard acquired from the master’s in business analytics have directly influenced her career progression. Over the past three years with Simmons, Ballard has held various roles in quality assurance and food technology and received two promotions since beginning the program 18 months ago.
Having completed her undergraduate degree at Iowa State, the university was Ballard’s top choice for graduate studies. “The faculty are fantastic and share their real-world experience, which helps students really know what they’re getting into out in the real world,” said Ballard. Her instructors’ insights into industry practices were invaluable to Ballard in transitioning content from her courses from an academic setting to a professional application.
One standout work project involved creating an interactive data visualization report to consolidate raw material data, a task made possible for Ballard by the customer relationship management software class she took at Iowa State. This project was part of the annual process improvement goals for her research and development team, and the skills she gained from the coursework were directly applicable.
A critical skill Ballard developed was the ability to start projects without overthinking. Through her coursework, she learned the importance of iterative testing and problem-solving, a method she now applies to everyday challenges.
“I would say that the most useful skill that I’ve learned from my master’s program is to start without overthinking. When I first started my program, I would ideate my code forever, trying to figure out how to get from point A to point B without even writing any code. And I quickly found out that without compiling your code, you won’t know what kind of roadblocks you’ll run into. And that is something that I now use in everyday life. Whenever I have a project or a hard situation, I know the best thing to do is to just start.”
Ballard applies that mindset when asked about her advice for those considering an online program. She suggests just starting. “There’s never a better time to start than now. It will only help your future. Graduate school will be a short period of your life. You can complete a degree and you can continue working. Make the most of it and know that you can overcome any challenges you face.”
In the future, Ballard aims to dig deeper into data management and manufacturing analytics. Her education at Iowa State has equipped her with the skills and confidence to pursue these goals. The program has transformed her professionally and personally, proving that with dedication, anyone can achieve their goals.
“Since completing my degree, I feel like a completely different person. I know that I can do whatever I set my mind to. I got two promotions. I learned a new job. I worked full-time, took classes full-time, and finished with a 4.0 GPA. There really are no limits, and you can do whatever you set your mind to.”
Ballard’s experience in the business analytics master’s program at Iowa State has been transformative. The skills, knowledge, and connections she has gained are invaluable assets in her career. For those looking to advance their careers while balancing other life commitments, Ballard highly recommends choosing Iowa State Online. “The opportunities it opens up for your future are immense. Embrace the challenge, stay committed, and remember, you can do this.”
