Launch a high-growth healthcare tech career with a Gies Business master’s degree

Healthcare is changing fast, powered by a technology-driven transformation. Gies College of Business master's programs are at the forefront of preparing the next generation of leaders to navigate this shift.

Through focused, nine-month graduate degrees like the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) and the Master of Science in Management (MSM), Gies Business provides a fast track into high-impact roles in healthcare technology and consulting. These degrees help you develop the tools to not just keep pace in these industries but actively shape the future of health and wellness with a business mindset.

Learn more about the career journey of two graduates: Angela Alburei transformed her biology background with an MSBA degree, gaining the coding and data storytelling skills needed to become a healthcare management consultant. Computer science major Krithika Perumal leveraged the business strategy she learned in the MSM program to launch hyper-localized digital health kiosks that improve care accessibility.

Krithika Perumal, MSM ‘24
Business Analyst, Tata Elxsi

Q. How did you decide to pursue an on-campus Master of Science in Management (MSM) at Gies College of Business?

A. After earning my undergraduate degree in computer science, I started working at AstraZeneca, where I moved from a developer role into project management. My managers saw my potential and encouraged me to pursue a graduate degree. Their appreciation of my skills helped me realize my capabilities and gave me the confidence to take that next step.

I chose the on-campus Gies Business MSM degree because of its strong reputation. I was drawn to the program because it covered the entire healthcare ecosystem and marketing, which fit with my long-term my career goals.

Q. The Gies Business MSM is a nine-month program. How did you maximize that short time to gain practical healthcare experience?

A. Because the program was only nine months, I knew I had to hit the ground running. Before my classes even began, I secured a role as a synchronous course facilitator for online iMBA courses by applying through the University of Illinois’ job portal. This allowed me to learn from many different business classes beyond my own curriculum, including marketing analytics, digital marketing and supply chain.

I also got involved in hands-on projects related to healthcare. I became a Mental Health Ambassador for the University, which was the culmination of an eight-week course focused on well-being and empathy.

In my second semester, I joined a startup project called CerviCare that focused on cervical cancer screening awareness. I focused on marketing strategy, securing grants, and brainstorming differentiators.

I also attended the America's Seed Fund Road Tour hosted by the University of Illinois Research Park, which was a great opportunity to network with organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), angel investors, and Gies Business alumni who are now CTOs and presidents.

Q. Which courses or experiences were most impactful for your professional development?

A. BADM 590: Healthcare Process Management with Professor Sridhar Seshadri was extremely valuable. We analyzed the trade-offs between access, quality, and affordability in healthcare. The curriculum offers a comprehensive view of the healthcare ecosystem, covering the full spectrum of processes—from patient intake and clinical workflows to technology integration and outcome optimization. He brought in guest lecturers from the industry’s four key pillars—pharma, hospitals, health tech, and healthcare small businesses— which helped me network and eventually land my current role at Tata Elxsi.

BADM 584: Global Marketing, BADM 520: Marketing Management, and BADM 590: UI/UX were equally transformative in shaping my strategic and design thinking. Under the guidance of Professors Hyun Euh and Hayden Noel, I learned to navigate cross-border marketing strategies using localization technologies and global e-commerce platforms. In Professor Vidya Haran’s UI/UX course, I applied user-centered design principles to simplify complex business workflows and add a human touch to technology.

The Gies Business MSM program also offered excellent courses on leadership and communication, which helped me adapt to cultural differences and learn how to connect with a diverse group of peers.

Q. How have you stayed connected to Gies Business since graduation?

A. Tata Elxsi was assigning projects, and I suggested that Gies Business faculty could add value. I became the interface between the company’s technical team and the project manager. We are working together with OSF HealthCare to launch hyper-localized digital health kiosks in rural America that will improve healthcare accessibility and outcomes in underserved regions. I have also authored a white paper on the project.

Q. How do you see your career evolving in healthcare technology?

A. My path has naturally led me to the intersection of healthcare and technology, and I plan to stay here. I was lucky enough to have three job opportunities after I earned my degree. Thanks to what I’ve learned from Gies Business, I’m confident that I’ll be able to keep learning and understand technologies such as UI/UX Design & Human-Centered Computing. For me, science is about questioning, and when you keep questioning, you find solutions.

Angela Alburei, MSBA ‘22
Managing Consultant, Impact Advisors

Q: How did your undergraduate degree and early interests lead you to Gies Business?

A: Growing up, I was always inspired by my mother, who was an ICU nurse, and her stories made me see clinicians as superheroes. This led me to pursue a degree in integrative biology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), with the goal of a career in healthcare.

The big shift happened during the pandemic. I took a summer internship studying birds in a swamp at the very tip of Illinois – that had no internet access. To entertain myself, I started exploring the data we were collecting and realized how powerful it could be for understanding and changing the world around you.

When I returned to campus, I saw a poster for the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) program at Gies Business that explained how this degree could help me combine my two passions -- biology and data.

Q: You were part of the very first graduating class for the MSBA. What was that experience like, especially coming from a non-technical background?

A: My biggest challenge was that I had very little coding experience beyond what I had taught myself. Suddenly, I was in a class with computer engineers and professional data scientists. I was really intimidated at first, but they truly started from square one. The professors taught me everything from the basics of code to the "why" behind the analyses and how to apply it in the real world.

Q: Were there any specific classes or projects that were particularly impactful for your career?

A: The business practicum was one of the most valuable experiences. I worked with Strata Decision Technology, a healthcare payer system, which exposed me to healthcare data and introduced me to the field of consulting.

Another course I still use every day is Data Storytelling. I learned how to communicate the full story behind the numbers—not just presenting analytics but explaining how solutions lead to improved customer satisfaction or increased ROI. I use the design principles and communication skills I learned in that class in countless presentations today.

Q: The MSBA is a fast-paced, nine-month program. How did Gies Business support your job search, and how did you land your current role?

A: You have to get started on the job search right away in a nine-month program. I attended a career fair in September and met representatives from my current firm, Impact Advisors. Their mission was a perfect fit: They are a niche healthcare consulting firm with a data and AI service line. I signed my job offer in early October, becoming the first student in my cohort to secure a full-time position.

Q: What are your long-term career goals, and how did your Gies Business degree prepare you to achieve them?

A: I plan to continue in consulting because every day this field brings a new challenge and a new opportunity to learn. My ultimate goal is to be a service line leader who is committed to using data to improve patient outcomes for the good of the community. If Gies College of Business taught me anything, it's that no dream is too big. Purpose is at the heart of the Gies Business experience, and that's something that will continue to drive me throughout my career.