At the Professional Science Master’s (PSM) program, we recognize that learning extends beyond the classroom. We encourage our graduates to become lifelong learners by staying on top of industry trends, reskilling, and upskilling. To facilitate this, we hosted a Day of Learning—a chance to give MBS alumni and scientific professionals new perspectives and ideas.
Our Day of Learning featured two lectures from established industry experts on key business areas and introduced attendees to a new experience—the benefits of group coaching. The event nurtured both personal and professional growth. Our Day of Learning was a demonstration of continuous learning and professional development at the PSM program.
PSM Executive Coach and Professor of our Communication and Leadership course Kathleen Cashman-Walter kicked off the day, introducing key speakers and facilitating the event.
Data Storytelling Through Innovation with Lindy Ryan
Before academia, Professor Ryan worked in analytics, co-founding Radiant Advisors in 2010. She later founded the award-winning small press Black Spot Books in 2017. Her research focuses on data science, visual analysis, and storytelling. She is also an award-winning author, editor, and short-film director. She teaches the Master of Business and Science (MBS) degree courses Business Intelligence with Visual Analytics and Data Storytelling.
Ryan began her lecture by sharing key elements of a compelling story, highlighting the importance of imparting a memorable takeaway. She also discussed the history of data storytelling, sharing great data storytelling examples such as Charles Joseph Minard’s map of Napoleon’s invasion of Russia. Storytelling is older than you think, likely being one of the world’s first professions. Telling stories through data is crucial to facilitate business decisions.
Ryan ended her lecture by sharing five key tips to becoming a data storyteller.
Mastering an Understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Jay Yogeshwar
Jay Yogeshwar has over 25 years of experience in enterprise IT and media. He is a proud Rutgers alum and holds a PhD in AI. Jay has earned a technical Emmy and holds 10 US patents. Yogeshwar co-instructs the MBS degree courses Artificial Intelligence: From Concept to Market and Basics of AI.
Throughout his talk, Yogeshwar shared the history of advancements in AI—starting with the perceptron, a building block of ChatGPT. He discussed the advancements in AI and their implications for business strategy, highlighting different tools essential for companies to stay competitive and how he uses them in his own work, including Agentic AI.
Group Coaching
The Day of Learning ended by introducing attendees to a new concept: group coaching, led my Marsha Prospere. Prospere is the founder of Adept Flow, an executive coaching and organizational development practice.
Coaching is a guided conversation, explained Prospere, and group coaching happens with others. It is action oriented, and you may develop a specific plan and hold your partner accountable. It is a powerful tool to take back to your own organizations or teams!
Prospere started by encouraging the room to consider how to implement what they had learned today in their own workplace.
Prospere broke the room up into small groups and encouraged them to discuss their biggest problems at work for ten minutes, then reflect on the experience. Participants found these new perspectives valuable. Prospere advised participants to write down one actionable step from their conversation.
After our Day of Learning, the learning continued. We invited attendees to join us for a mixer with students and members of our Industrial Advisory board. Thanks to all who joined! To learn more about group coaching, connect with Prospere or Professional Education at Rutgers.
