Eli Joseph is the epitome of a lifelong learner. After earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, he went on to pursue a Google Developer Challenge Scholarship, all while working toward earning his Doctor of Business Administration.
Before starting his doctoral dissertation, Joseph enrolled in CORe, a three-course online credential program to gain a deeper understanding of business analytics. Through the process, he developed skills he now plans to pass onto his own students at Marymount Manhattan College, Queens College, and the Columbia University School of Professional Studies.
Below, Joseph shares why he chose to enroll in CORe and his future plans, including participating in Forbes Under 30 Scholars Program.
What was your motivation for taking CORe?
At the end of spring 2018, I finished all the main requirements for my Doctor of Business Administration program at Felician University. In preparation for the rigorous dissertation phase of my doctoral program, I wanted to spend the ensuing summer obtaining valuable concepts in business analytics.
I was referred to CORe by a colleague who recently completed a Harvard Business School Online program. I knew I could accomplish my objective for the summer while learning from leading experts in business analytics, economics, and financial accounting.
What did you expect to gain from CORe?
I initially expected to gain knowledge from Professors Jan Hammond, Bharat Anand, and V.G. Narayanan in their respective courses, but this program offered much more than just a high-quality education. I was able to use the program’s networking group to share my accomplishments, as well as cultivate meaningful connections with other professionals in a variety of industries.
What are some of those accomplishments?
This year, I was selected by Forbes and JPMorgan Chase to join the Forbes Under 30 Scholars Program. I was also recently selected as a finalist for the Morgan Stanley Prize for Excellence in Financial Markets and as a recipient of a Grow with Google Scholarship.
(Joseph also delivered a talk in June 2018 at TEDx Syracuse University.)
How do you feel the course has helped you reach your professional goals?
Each course within the CORe program benefited my professional and academic goals. As a faculty member who has taught applied statistics at Queens College, I learned various research concepts from Professor Hammond in the Business Analytics course. Now in the midst of my doctoral dissertation, I have a better grasp on descriptive and inferential statistics, sampling and estimation, hypothesis testing, and multiple regression analysis.
Prior to CORe, I also taught economics courses at Marymount Manhattan College. I learned new ideas from Professor Anand in Economics for Managers. Throughout this course, I learned how business executives across every industry apply contemporary strategies and principles in their daily practices. I was also able to understand conjoint analysis and the direct and indirect analysis for assessing demand.
In the Financial Accounting course, Professor Narayanan thoroughly broke down theoretical and practical concepts of financial valuations. Through his guidance, I was able to revisit certain concepts that I learned in my undergraduate years.
What are your future plans?
I plan on utilizing the knowledge I gained from CORe in my future professional and academic endeavors. I will be facilitating an applied analytics capstone course at the Columbia University School of Professional Studies. I also plan on attending the Forbes Under 30 Summit in Boston as a Forbes Under 30 Scholar. I ultimately look forward to completing and successfully defending my business doctoral dissertation at Felician University.
Do you have any advice for prospective HBS Online students?
My advice for prospective students is to take full advantage of all the resources that HBS Online offers. Provide critical responses to the case studies and cold calls. Interact with other students and connect with them on social media. I also encourage prospective students to take the program materials seriously. Make sure you take tangible action and plan on applying theoretical, and practical, concepts in your professional career.
(Featured photo courtesy of Eli Joseph and TEDx Syracuse University)