Why analytics matters: an MMA student perspective

MMA Diaries 

Jonathan Walter, ‘26 MMA

As part of our MMA Diaries series, we’re highlighting students and graduates who are shaping their careers through the Master of Management in Analytics (MMA) program.

Jonathan Walter discusses how the MMA program is helping him connect his frontline healthcare experience with analytics, reshaping how he thinks about data, decision-making, and the future of healthcare innovation.

What motivated you to choose the Master of Management Analytics (MMA) program?

After completing an undergraduate degree in biology and working as a paramedic, I became interested in improving wait times and capacity in our healthcare system in Alberta. I knew that to understand these issues, I would have to understand the data behind them. The MMA program seemed like the natural choice to complement my background in science and health with the technical and business skills needed to work with healthcare data. Going forward, I am curious about how AI and machine learning algorithms can be used to improve the experiences of patients and healthcare workers.

How do you see your career evolving over the next five years, and how is the MMA program helping you get there?

I think that I will be moving into more analytical or research-type roles. Our government and public service providers in Alberta are looking for ways to implement AI and machine learning, and I want to help create the tools that will define these sectors in Alberta. The MMA program is giving me foundational skills such as programming and data analysis that will enable me to pivot my career into this area.

What has surprised you most about the MMA program so far?

The diverse backgrounds of my classmates. There are people from all over the world and from all sorts of professions in our class, and I have been able to hear about different perspectives and career paths that I would not have otherwise.

What are some key skills or experiences you’ve gained in the MMA program that you know you’ll use after graduation?

Beyond technical skills like programming and machine learning, I have gained networking and communication skills through events and presentations.

What is a project you’ve worked on in the MMA program that really stood out to you, and what made that experience meaningful?

During our machine learning final project, our group analyzed NFL team data from the last several decades to see if we could predict whether a team was going to make the playoffs in the upcoming season. It was interesting to gather data from various sources.

The Alberta School of Business MMA is home to a globally diverse cohort. If you’re considering bringing your experience — and your perspective — to the Alberta School of Business, visit our admissions page. Learn more here.