How Business Analytics Students at Purdue Achieved 100% Job Placement

Purdue University’s Master’s Program in Business Analytics needed a specialized tool to help students prepare for technical interviews across various roles.

Since partnering with Interview Query in 2022, the platform has provided tailored learning paths, peer-to-peer mock interviews, and an extensive library of technical questions, helping students strengthen their skills in SQL, coding, and data analysis.

By integrating Interview Query into the curriculum, Purdue saw a 100% placement rate in 2023. The platform gave students the confidence and technical expertise needed to excel in data science roles, making it a vital resource for preparing them for a competitive and rapidly evolving job market.

Purdue University is recognized as one of the top public schools in the United States, and it is consistently ranked highly by US News. Purdue’s one-year Master’s in Business Analytics program has grown significantly, with a strong focus on equipping students with both technical and business skills required for data science and analytics roles.

The program prepares students for diverse careers, from data scientists to business analysts, and integrates industry-standard tools like Interview Query to enhance job placement outcomes. In 2023, Purdue’s MSBA program achieved a 100% placement rate within six months of graduation, reflecting the program’s success in preparing students for competitive positions in data-driven industries.

What challenges were students facing before the partnership?

“Our career services team does a wonderful job with the behavioral side, but we didn’t have the expertise or bandwidth to provide consistent, one-on-one technical interview prep for over 100 students. We also tried some mock interview events where students could test each other, but that wasn’t enough to give them the level of preparation they needed for the technical questions. We needed a more scalable solution to support their specific technical skills, like SQL and coding.”

You mentioned choosing Interview Query because of feedback from colleagues?

“I had one-on-one conversations with colleagues, and I’ve only heard positive things about Interview Query. Larry Braman at UCLA said it was a great investment for their program. Interview Query helped their students with SQL questions, coding questions, and mock interviews. That’s something we really needed because it was stressing us out, having to handle all that preparation on our own. I think there’s a lot of value there.”

You mentioned integrating Interview Query as part of your course curriculum. Can you share specifics?

“We incorporated Interview Query into a four-week course called ‘Launching Global Leaders,’ which prepares students for their job search three months before graduation. Each week, students were required to engage with Interview Query—completing technical questions, mock interviews, and problem-solving exercises tailored to their career goals. I set weekly assignments, and students had to submit proof of their progress by sharing screenshots of the questions they completed. Over the course of the program, we saw consistent engagement, with students actively completing SQL questions, coding challenges, and mock interviews. I received the best course evaluations in my nine years at Purdue—95% positive feedback. Students felt like they got a ton of value out of it and I attribute some of it to Interview Query.”

What sets Interview Query apart?

Interview Query provides personalized technical interview prep that complements our career services, which often lack expertise in coding and SQL questions. It allows students to focus on their specific needs— whether SQL, coding challenges, or mock interviews—rather than a one size fits all approach. The platform also tracks progress, holding students accountable and giving us insight into their usage, which has been crucial for large cohorts where individualized support isn’t always possible.

What advice would you give to other academic or career professionals looking to improve job placement rates?

“You’ve got to have skin in the game. You need at least one person, ideally a team, held accountable for placement rates. In 2023, we achieved 100% placement, but it was down to the wire. Our last two placements came at the deadline, and I was so relieved I cried. Coaching students is tough—you push hard, sometimes make promises you shouldn’t, and it’s on you to get them where they need to go. It’s hard with so many students and a tough market. You really need a dedicated team.”

How does Interview Query compare to other tools like LeetCode?

“We’ve actually decided to move away from using LeetCode because we figured we could offer our students similar benefits with Interview Query. The students seemed to enjoy interacting with Interview Query more than with LeetCode, especially because it feels more personalized. Interview Query is less ‘hovery’ and more of a self-service tool, which our students liked. It allows them to engage on a very individual level, focusing on their specific needs. Once they started using it, they really got into it. The platform also provides a broader range of question types and mock interview opportunities, which makes it a better fit for our program.”

What advice would you give to other academic or career professionals looking to improve job placement rates?

“Placement rates are a constant battle that must be fought every year. It’s one of the few things we can control that directly impacts our rankings, which is a major draw for prospective students. If you don’t put emphasis on it and just let things work themselves out, it will never improve. We chose Interview Query because we wanted to provide every available resource to give students the best possible chance of landing a job.”

At Interview Query, we’re committed to helping universities empower their students with the tools they need to succeed in a competitive data science job market. Explore our tailored solutions designed for academic programs:

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University Partnerships

Learn how Interview Query can integrate into your curriculum to support technical interview prep, enhance student engagement, and improve placement outcomes. Visit our University Solutions Page to see how we’re helping schools like Purdue achieve 100% job placement rates.