#IamUCI – Nikhil Koka
M.S., business analytics | Paul Merage School of Business
Spending most of his childhood in Southern California, Nikhil Koka found himself being drawn to creative arts like acting and storytelling.
While he ended up majoring in business administration during his undergraduate years, he realized that he could still enjoy storytelling if he worked in business analytics.
“When looking at data points, you kind of get a lot of jumbled numbers and values that might mean nothing when just looking at it,” Koka says. “But when you start to see a trend, it paints a picture. When you dive into the data, it tells a story about what’s really going on. Then we can try to replicate trends and create an impact.”
Currently, he’s working on his capstone project as part of a team that’s conducting competitor analysis for a Long Beach-based skincare company called Obagi.
Koka is also a student ambassador for the Master of Science in Business Analytics program, telling prospective students about the UCI experience and providing a valuable perspective as a current MSBA student.
After earning his master’s degree, he’d like to work in such industries as music streaming, sports or healthcare.
What was your favorite class at UC Irvine?
Business data management. The [assistant] professor, Behnaz Bojd, was very consistent and understanding. I didn’t ever feel super pressured, and there was no busywork. She taught at a good pace, making sure that the class wasn’t too lecture-heavy. I think it was my favorite class mainly because of the professor, but I also liked the subject a lot.
What advice would you give to a student starting their academic journey at UCI?
Take advantage of the resources you have. Obviously, you want to balance everything, but don’t only focus on school. Join clubs and try to have more than just an academic impact. Get the social aspect of it. Really take the time to go out of your way and make yourself known. Talk to the people around you, and look at them as resources rather than competition.
“Nikhil is an energetic, outgoing and sociable young man willing to extend his hand in service to others. His positivity of spirit and bridge-building nature make him a warm and engaging ambassador for our UCI community. As a graduate student in the Master of Science in Business Analytics program, I look forward to seeing him combine the technical prowess with his natural, courteous and charismatic soft skills.”
– William Tran, senior recruitment and admissions associate, FTMBA and FEMBA programs