Meet an MSMA Student: Jiayi Li
Get to know one of our current MS in Marketing Analytics students pursuing the internship track, Jiayi Li ’25S (MS). In this brief Q&A, Jiayi tells us a little about herself and her experience in the MSMA program, including her favorite courses, life in Rochester, navigating the visa process as an international student, and more!
Where are you from?
I’m from Xiamen, a coastal city in China.
Where did you complete your undergraduate studies?
Communication University of Zhejiang.
What made you decide to pursue a master’s degree?
I love the art of persuasion, but I wanted to pair it with rigorous, data-driven storytelling. A master’s felt like the right path to build that analytical toolkit and the professional network for the future I envision.
Why did you choose Simon?
Simon’s career-oriented, STEM-designated curriculum hits the sweet spot: a strong quantitative foundation with real-world business application. It’s the perfect bridge between analytics and impact.
How did Simon and the University of Rochester help you navigate the visa process?
I had 1:1 advising, frequent workshops/webinars, and clear online guides and checklists. That support made each step straightforward and less stressful.
Tell us about learning and living in Rochester.
Winters are cold, but after moving to the West Coast I genuinely miss it. If you take the time to explore, Rochester is a charming small city—great restaurants, easy access to nature, and four distinct seasons you can really feel. It’s a very comfortable place to study and live.
What is your favorite class so far and why?
Analytic Design and Application. It’s practical and hands-on—you build models end-to-end and learn to communicate results clearly. It’s also fun, and Professor Liza Mohr is both insightful and engaging.
What advice would you offer to students considering an analytics degree from Simon?
Don’t just study—really dive in. Preview and review class material, then pair the topic with an online credential or a small project (e.g., a Google Career Certificate course or a mini data project). Push the code to GitHub and write a short summary of results. That way, when you update your résumé or post on LinkedIn, you’ll always have concrete, recent work to showcase—not empty space.
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Don't forget: if you're ready to jump-start your career in analytics, you don't need to wait until Fall 2026. Simon is offering the chance for MS in Business Analytics, MS in AI in Business, and MS in Marketing Analytics candidates to begin their degree in January! This is an ideal entry term for December graduates, and you’ll lock in 2025–26 tuition rates, have access to graduate housing, and still be able to pursue an internship in Spring 2027. Apply by November 15 to have your application fee waived and receive priority scholarship consideration. Don't wait to take the next step toward your future career—begin your MS analytics degree at Simon in two months!
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