MSIS student looked beyond databases to find a broader view of business

Vani Yerranagu already understood how to manage data. After working as a SQL Database Administrator at IBM and Accenture in Bengaluru, India, she had built a career managing and optimizing complex data systems. But as her experience grew, so did her curiosity. Rather than focusing solely on the technical side of the work, she wanted to understand how organizations use data to solve problems, shape strategy and make decisions.

"My journey didn't start in a classroom it started in the workplace," she said. "I worked as a SQL Database Administrator at IBM and Accenture, where I focused on managing and optimizing data systems."

"Over time, I became curious about the bigger picture: how is this data actually used to make decisions?" she said.

That question eventually brought her to Central Michigan University, where she is pursuing a degree in information systems with a concentration in business data analytics.

Looking beyond the data

Yerranagu said she chose CMU because she wanted to build on her technical background while gaining a broader understanding of business. Through coursework, campus employment and faculty mentorship, she has explored how analytics supports decision-making across organizations while expanding her knowledge of marketing, digital strategy and other business disciplines.

"CMU stood out to me because of its strong focus on hands-on learning," she said. "The College of Business Administration offered exactly what I was looking for a way to connect my technical background with real business impact."

"I enjoy connecting the dots between data and decision-making," she said. "Earlier, I worked on managing data; now, I focus on understanding and communicating what that data means for a business. That shift has been both challenging and exciting."

"Now, I feel like I understand both sides how data is managed and how it is used to drive decisions," she said. "More importantly, my exposure through coursework and hands-on experiences has expanded my perspective beyond analytics into marketing and digital strategy as well."

Learning through experience

Outside the classroom, Yerranagu applied those lessons in two campus roles that allowed her to work with data in different ways. As a student website and analytics specialist, she analyzed website performance, collaborated with stakeholders and supported digital experience improvements. Her graduate assistant position gave her the opportunity to work closely with faculty while strengthening her communication and collaboration skills.

"One thing that makes CMU unique is the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through on-campus roles," she said. "The program goes beyond theory, you actively work on solving problems, analyzing data and presenting insights."

"In this role, I worked on understanding organizational needs, analyzing website data and supporting digital experience improvements," she said. "It helped me gain exposure to how businesses operate: understanding requirements, interacting with stakeholders and aligning work with business goals."

"It allowed me to work closely with professors, understand academic processes more deeply and strengthen my communication and collaboration skills," she said.

Growing personally and professionally

Returning to school after working full time while adapting to life in a new country presented challenges, but Yerranagu said the people around her helped make that transition easier. Support from family, professors, classmates and campus resources gave her the confidence to keep learning while embracing opportunities outside the classroom, including hosting Diwali Night on campus.

"The biggest adjustment was transitioning from a full-time professional role to being a student again, while also adapting to a new country and culture," she said.

"What made it easier was the support system husband, parents, professors, peers and campus resources that encourage you to learn, ask questions and grow," she said.

"It gave me a chance to share a part of my culture with the CMU community and connect with students from different backgrounds," she said. "Stepping into that role really pushed me out of my comfort zone, but it also helped me grow in confidence and feel proud to represent my culture in a new environment."

Looking back, Yerranagu sees her career as a series of opportunities to keep learning. From engineering to database administration and now business analytics, each step has broadened her perspective and reinforced the curiosity that first brought her to CMU.

"Seeing my own growth motivates me," she said. "When I reflect on my journey from engineering to database administration to now analytics it reminds me how much I've progressed."