We will soon be welcoming the first Master of Management Analytics class to Rotman. The Program Services team are a key point of contact for students, and in this post we speak to Julie Foisy who will specifically work with students on the MMA program.
Hi Julie, can you tell us a little about your background?
My background begins in research in public health, particularly working with data related to socioeconomic factors and their effect on child wellbeing. I worked on a number of research projects at the Pediatric Public Health Psychology Lab at Concordia University in Montreal, before completing a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology at UofT and moving on to work for Public Health Ontario. Directly before joining Rotman in 2016, I worked for the Faculty of Public Health at UofT, creating and leading the Internship and Professional Development office. My first role at Rotman was developing the Flexible Internship Program for the FTMBA students – this allowed me to use many similar skills just in a different setting. As for my involvement with the MMA program, it was an easy decision to change roles again. I’m passionate about working with data (I promise you, not many people can say that!), and I thoroughly enjoy supporting student development, so when the opportunity to work on this new program came up, I couldn’t refuse!
What is your role within the MMA program?
My role is to ensure everything goes smoothly for our MMA students once they begin at Rotman. I work with faculty and colleagues across various teams on a variety of aspects of the MMA life at Rotman, including MMA events, co-curricular opportunities, scheduling courses and ensuring students are informed and getting involved in the different opportunities available to them once they arrive at Rotman. When in doubt, the Program Services team is likely the right place to begin with any questions once students are on campus.
How does it feel to be involved with the newest program at the Rotman School?
I love being involved at the start of things – it’s the most exciting time because you have a chance to really shape what something becomes. When I had the chance to work at the Rotman School, which is a Faculty at the forefront of so much as is it is, AND the opportunity to work with students and faculty on the newest Masters program, which just happened to be in management analytics - well I’m just not sure where else I’d want to be.
Do you have any final words of advice for those starting the program in August?
To those starting in August, get ready - it’s going to be a whirlwind of a year. There is so much going on, so much students can be involved in at Rotman, at UofT and in Toronto, I’d advise students to be prepared for a packed and thrilling year. Once students get to campus, I’d encourage them to fully utilize the resources Rotman has to offer, they are extensive, be it Career Services, Program Services, Rotman Connect, weekly events and speaker series, and so much more. And never hesitate to reach out to me with questions, or even just for a chat about Graduate Life, UofT, Toronto, or anything analytics-related! I can’t wait for the first class to start!
The Master of Management Analytics is designed to give students the advanced data management, analytics and communication skills needed to become an analytics professional.