Nick, Analytics Executive at Nationwide Financial Services Company: Advize Career Interview

A winding career path from chemical engineering to a leadership role in analytics at Nationwide Financial, showcases the journey of an Analytics Executive.

The interview reveals a multifaceted role involving strategic investment insights for C-suite leaders, internal consulting, and customer journey analytics.

Success in this field hinges on strong communication skills, translating technical expertise into compelling narratives, and a deep understanding of data quality.

The executive emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, particularly in emerging technologies like generative AI, and the value of building strong professional relationships.

A passion for problem-solving and a desire to help people achieve their financial goals, coupled with skills in Python, SQL, and data visualization software, are key ingredients for success.

Studying abroad broadened perspectives, highlighting the importance of cross-cultural understanding and adaptability.

Ultimately, the message is clear: follow passions and develop strong skills, focusing on relationship-building to unlock a rewarding and impactful career in financial services analytics.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Nick Perri

Analytics Executive

Nationwide Financial Services Company

Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey MBA, St Joseph's University MS Business Intelligence & Analytics

Spanish & Other Languages, Political Science, American Studies

Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)

Data and Analytics

Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School

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Career Path of an Analytics Executive at a Nationwide Financial Firm

Nick's career path was "very, uh, winding," beginning with a chemical engineering major that transitioned into a political science and Italian double major, culminating in an internship at the Mexican Embassy focused on environmental policy. Following an MBA and initial client-facing roles at a mutual fund company, Nick transitioned into customer strategy, ultimately leveraging data science skills to achieve greater effectiveness in the analytics world.

Career Path of an Analytics Executive at a Nationwide Financial Firm

Main Responsibilities of an Analytics Executive at Nationwide Financial Services

Nick, an Analytics Executive at a financial services company, leads a team providing "c-suite leaders with insights" on strategic investments and acts as an internal analytics consulting group for other business units, also developing "journey analytics for customers" to identify areas for improvement. This multifaceted role showcases expertise in data science, visualization, and strategic decision-making within a large enterprise.

Main Responsibilities of an Analytics Executive at Nationwide Financial Services

A Day in the Life of an Analytics Executive at Nationwide Financial Services

A day for this analytics executive at Nationwide involves many meetings to understand stakeholder needs, "translating those needs into technical requirements and solutions," and communicating with the team. Long-term, the role focuses on developing a strategic roadmap, setting key objectives, and establishing measurement methods for success.

A Day in the Life of an Analytics Executive at Nationwide Financial Services

Most Important Skills for an Analytics Executive at Nationwide Financial

Nationwide Financial's Analytics Executive, Nick, emphasizes that while technical skills like Python and SQL are crucial, "what separates folks...from those that move into leadership roles is your ability to communicate and really effectively tell the story" of the work. A strong business acumen and the capacity to translate technical findings into compelling narratives are equally vital for career advancement in analytics.

Most Important Skills for an Analytics Executive at Nationwide Financial

Favorite Parts of Being an Analytics Executive at Nationwide Financial

Nick, an Analytics Executive, most enjoys "solving problems, solving puzzles, figuring things out," finding satisfaction in using data-driven insights to inform decisions; however, this position's influence is a "double-edged sword," requiring accuracy to maintain credibility.

Favorite Parts of Being an Analytics Executive at Nationwide Financial

Biggest Challenges Faced By An Analytics Executive At Nationwide Financial

Nick's biggest challenge as an Analytics Executive at Nationwide is ensuring the accuracy and understanding of data, stating that "the biggest challenge is making sure you have the right data," because even the best models are worthless with bad data. This highlights the crucial role of data quality in the analytics field and the significant time investment required to obtain reliable data sources.

Biggest Challenges Faced By An Analytics Executive At Nationwide Financial

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Financial Services Industry As An Analytics Executive

Nick, an Analytics Executive at Nationwide, finds the most rewarding aspect of the financial services industry is "helping regular people achieve their goals," such as homeownership, education, and retirement. The positive societal impact when work aligns with these objectives is what makes the career fulfilling for Nick.

Favorite Parts Of Working In The Financial Services Industry As An Analytics Executive

What Type Of Person Thrives In Financial Services, According To An Analytics Executive At Nationwide Financial Services

Success in financial services analytics requires a blend of quantitative skills—"being fairly good with numbers, having understanding of markets"—and strong problem-solving abilities; the most successful individuals possess "curiosity and tenacity" to creatively solve problems and find "a new, more effective way to visualize something" or improve data transformation for better prediction.

What Type Of Person Thrives In Financial Services, According To An Analytics Executive At Nationwide Financial Services

What an Analytics Executive at Nationwide Financial Services Company wishes they had known before starting in financial services

Nationwide's Nick, an Analytics Executive, advises aspiring professionals to prioritize continuous learning about emerging technologies like "generative AI," as the analytics field demands constant adaptation to "new platforms, new ways of doing things." Finding reliable resources to stay updated on market trends is crucial for effective communication and career advancement in this rapidly evolving space.

What an Analytics Executive at Nationwide Financial Services Company wishes they had known before starting in financial services

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Analytics Analysts

Nationwide's Analytics Executive, Nick, highlights entry-level analyst roles requiring skills in SQL, Python, Power BI, or Tableau as avenues for undergraduate students. The ideal candidate, however, possesses a "good blend of business acumen and advanced tools" to stand out by "digging deeper into certain questions and answering tougher questions."

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Analytics Analysts

Significant Career Lesson From an Analytics Executive at Nationwide

Nick, an Analytics Executive at Nationwide, emphasizes the paramount importance of relationships in career success, stating that "relationships are really your most valuable asset." Strong professional networks, providing mentorship and support, become especially crucial during challenging job markets.

Significant Career Lesson From an Analytics Executive at Nationwide

College Experiences That Helped an Analytics Executive at Nationwide Succeed

Nick, an Analytics Executive at Nationwide, advises against choosing a college major based solely on market demand, stating, "Don't go into school...thinking about what other people want." Instead, the interviewee emphasizes pursuing passions and talents, as "somebody will pay you for that talent," a lesson learned through their own winding career path from chemical engineering aspirations to a successful career in financial services.

College Experiences That Helped an Analytics Executive at Nationwide Succeed

How Identity Has Influenced an Analytics Executive at Nationwide's Career

Nick's most impactful experience at WP Carey was studying abroad in Argentina, where applying "what you're learning...in a United States American business context" to a different country highlighted unique challenges and fostered valuable cross-cultural understanding, an experience that remains memorable and continues to inform their career. This experience provided insights into global similarities and differences while building important relationships.

How Identity Has Influenced an Analytics Executive at Nationwide's Career

Advizer Personal Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-perri/