University of Texas at Dallas empowers students with data skills

In a data and AI-driven world, the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) is preparing students for the workforce by leveraging Tableau, a leading platform in business intelligence and data analytics. Recognising the importance of data skills across disciplines, Gaurav Shekhar, senior assistant dean of graduate programmes and assistant professor of instruction in information systems at the university, developed an experiential learning experience for its students. His efforts have helped strengthen his partnerships with industry leaders, creating more opportunities for UT Dallas and its students.

Hands-on learning for real-world impact

Since 2017, Shekhar has been making a significant impact at the Naveen Jindal School of Management at UT Dallas. His approach emphasises hands-on learning, using real-world examples to ignite students’ curiosity and creativity.

Naseem Akbary and Rohan Springer are among the students who have benefited greatly from Shekhar’s course. "We’ve never had a course where we learn not just the theory but also how it’s applied in the industry,” Springer explains. Springer’s team analysed airline industry data to derive insights on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, enabling students to gain practical experience in data cleaning and analysis. Their hands-on experience with Tableau was a key topic during internship interviews, highlighting the critical role of data skills in today’s job market.

Skill-building competitions and events

UT Dallas complements classroom training with competitions and events. Shekhar serves as a faculty advisor for EnVision, a student organisation at UT Dallas dedicated to data visualisation. In September 2024, EnVision hosted a datathon, introducing Tableau to over 350 students. 

“EnVision provides opportunities for students to work with data from partnering companies and present to industry leaders in Dallas as part of the datathon,” says Digvijaysinh Gohil, a former UT Dallas student and EnVision leader. These activities enable students to interact with and gain insights from prospective employers.

Gohil attributed his success in securing his first internship in the US to Tableau: “I got the job because of Tableau. In the interview, I showed the visualisation that I made during the EnVision boot camp where I learned Tableau.” This success story is a testament to the effectiveness of Shekhar’s hands-on learning approach and the value of practical experience.

Industry collaboration for enhanced learning

Karthik Kumar, chief operating officer of LendArch and a member of the business school advisory council at UT Dallas, emphasises the importance of practical skills: “The need for intelligent application of data and AI skills is crucial. It’s not just about having skills and education, but how these are applied in various industries,” says Kumar. “Intelligently using tools like large language models and generative AI is more valuable today than being a coder.” 

LendArch actively participates in UT Dallas events to connect with students and share real-world case studies. Such engagement helps companies identify and incorporate fresh perspectives from the next generation of talent. Impressed by the quality of talent at UT Dallas, LendArch is currently working on establishing a talent pipeline from the university. Through these industry partnerships, UT Dallas offers its students a valuable learning experience that leads to successful employment.

The future of data and AI education

“Since we started teaching Tableau nearly 10 years ago, the focus on data has grown exponentially,” Shekhar notes. “AI is bringing new excitement to analytics, and the industry’s strong adoption of these tools motivates us to continue integrating Tableau into our curriculum.”

As data and AI become essential in every industry, incorporating business intelligence platforms like Tableau into education is crucial. Data and AI literacy prepare students to be resilient and adaptable in the face of future innovations, ensuring they are well-equipped for the evolving job market.

To get started on improving your students’ data skills, visit Tableau for Teaching.