At ESMT Berlin, students in the Master in Analytics and AI program come from diverse career backgrounds, united by a common goal—to harness data-driven insights and make a real impact.

In this blog post, Jean-Christophe Scheider, a current MAAI student, tells us what drew him to the program, his upcoming internship in private equity, and key lessons from working with an international team of classmates.

Can you share a bit about your background and what sparked your interest in the Master in Analytics and AI?

My foundation in business administration provided me with invaluable organizational knowledge, and I quickly discovered my passion for the quantitative side of decision-making. As an analyst, I thrived on uncovering meaningful insights from data and transforming them into impactful recommendations.

Eager to grow in this dynamic field, I sought to enhance my technical toolkit beyond my undergraduate studies. When I discovered the Master in Analytics and AI program, it was the perfect match! 

Pursuing this program has truly been a game-changer. It's a valuable opportunity to build skills that complement my business foundation, placing me where strategic vision meets data intelligence, the sweet spot that's shaping tomorrow's business leaders. I'm absolutely thrilled about the path I'm on!

Why did you choose to pursue a Master in Analytics and AI at ESMT Berlin? What stood out compared to similar master’s programs?

When exploring master's programs in analytics and AI, ESMT Berlin immediately stood out! What truly captivated me was the program's exceptional balance between technical depth and real-world business application—a combination that's surprisingly rare in today's educational landscape.

The curriculum integrates rigorous technical training across all essential analytical skills while simultaneously emphasizing the crucial ability to communicate complex findings to non-technical stakeholders. This dual focus is exactly what attracted me! In the business world, even the most sophisticated analysis is only valuable when decision-makers can understand and act on it.

Unlike many programs that lean heavily toward either pure technical expertise or business theory, ESMT ensures students master both. I wasn’t just looking for a program that would teach me how to build advanced models— I wanted to learn how to translate technical insights into compelling business narratives.

Plus, being in Berlin's vibrant tech ecosystem was an added bonus! The opportunity to develop this well-rounded skillset in such a dynamic environment made ESMT an easy choice for my future. I couldn't imagine a better foundation for the analytics career I'm passionate about building.

Which courses or projects have had the most significant impact on your learning?

What I love most about this program is its thoughtfully designed course structure. Each class builds on previously acquired knowledge, creating a seamless and engaging learning journey.

Rather than skimming the surface of many topics, the curriculum takes a deep dive into specific analytics domains. This allows us to develop genuine expertise rather than just familiarity and has been invaluable in helping me visualize my potential career paths. 

Through these specialized deep dives, I've gained authentic insights into various analytics specialties, helping me understand where my skills and passions might best align in the professional world.

The sequential nature of the program has also enhanced my confidence as a learner. Each new challenge feels achievable because it's built on a foundation I've already mastered. Seeing my own growth in real time has been incredibly empowering and great preparation for my future career in analytics.

What challenges have you faced during your studies, and how have they contributed to your personal and professional growth?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been adapting to diverse work approaches in our international team projects. Working with classmates from various cultural backgrounds revealed striking differences in communication styles, decision-making processes, and project management preferences.

Initially, these differences created friction. Some team members preferred extensive planning, while others wanted to dive straight into execution. Communication styles ranged from very direct to more nuanced, occasionally leading to misunderstandings.

However, these experiences has proved invaluable for my professional development. I've learned to quickly identify different working styles, adjust my communication approach, and bridge perspectives between team members. This adaptability will be crucial in global analytics roles, where cross-cultural collaboration is the norm.

Ultimately, these challenges have transformed me into a more flexible and patient collaborator—essential qualities for success in today's international business environment.

Which technical or soft skills have you developed the most during your time at ESMT?

During my time at ESMT, I've significantly enhanced my project management and time management skills.

With multiple complex projects running simultaneously, I’ve learned to break down analytical challenges into well-defined phases with clear milestones. I've developed systems to realistically assess time requirements, prioritize effectively, and maintain focus on high-impact activities.

These organizational skills have proven invaluable when tackling large datasets and complex problems. I now confidently approach challenging projects with a structured methodology, creating clear roadmaps from raw data to actionable insights.

While my technical skills in programming and statistics have certainly grown, these project structuring abilities have been equally important, allowing me to maximize efficiency and deliver high-quality analysis consistently.

Can you tell us more about your upcoming internship — what role you'll be taking on and what excites you most about it?

I'll be joining a private equity firm as a Quantitative Analyst for my internship. My primary responsibility will be developing a new analytical tool intended for long-term implementation within the firm.

This opportunity excites me for two key reasons: First, I'll apply my technical skills in a real-world financial context. Second, I'm enthusiastic about creating something with lasting impact, rather than just completing a temporary assignment.

The chance to experience the complete tool development lifecycle—from requirements gathering to implementation—will provide practical experience that perfectly complements my academic training in analytics.

How do you envision your career evolving after graduation, and what role do you think analytics and AI play in that future?

After graduation, I plan to pursue a career as an analyst, though I'm still exploring which specific domain to specialize in. Several fields particularly interest me: econometrics with its focus on economic data modeling, risk management with its emphasis on quantifying and mitigating threats, and organizational analytics with its application to workforce and process optimization.

Analytics and AI will be central to my career regardless of specialization. These technologies are transforming decision-making across industries, and having expertise in them positions me at the forefront of this evolution. As I continue exploring these domains through my coursework and internship, I'm confident that my analytical foundation will remain valuable as I develop my career path.

Are there any other opportunities outside of the classroom that have contributed to your learning?

ESMT enriches our education with numerous resources outside the formal curriculum. The university provides extensive materials to enhance our technical skills independently, which has been crucial for mastering complex analytical concepts.

Additionally, ESMT offers many opportunities to earn professional certificates which strengthen our credentials and demonstrate specific competencies to employers. These certifications, combined with the various industry events organized throughout the program, create a comprehensive learning environment that extends well beyond traditional classroom instruction.

These supplementary resources have been instrumental in developing a well-rounded skill set that balances academic knowledge with practical application.

What advice would you give to prospective students considering this program?

Be curious and embrace every opportunity! The analytics field rewards those who consistently experiment with new techniques and tools. Make the most of your time here by joining projects, attending events, and pursuing additional certifications. 

While the workload can be intense, remember to enjoy the learning journey. Your enthusiasm and willingness to explore will ultimately make the experience more rewarding and prepare you better for your future career.

What is the biggest takeaway from your time at ESMT that you’ll carry into your professional life?

My biggest takeaway is the ability to interpret complex analytical results and translate them into clear, accessible insights for diverse audiences. While technical expertise is essential, I've learned that even the most sophisticated analysis has limited impact if decision-makers can't understand its implications.

ESMT has taught me to bridge the gap between technical complexity and practical application by focusing on what matters most to stakeholders. I've developed the ability to distill complex findings into straightforward narratives that non-technical colleagues can confidently act upon.

This communication skill will be invaluable throughout my career, as it transforms technical knowledge into business impact—making me not just an analyst, but a truly effective business partner.