A Full-Circle Moment: Alex Heck’s MSBA Experience

Motivation to Apply and Overcoming Hesitations

When Alex Heck clicked “start application,” it was more than just a form—it was the start of a dream that had been growing since childhood. Raised on the South Side of Indianapolis, Notre Dame was a constant in his life, thanks in part to his grandfather’s 45+ years of season football tickets.

“I’d loved the beauty of the campus and the sense of community for as long as I could remember,” he said. As he researched analytics programs, Notre Dame’s MSBA rose to the top for its strong curriculum and real-world experience—especially the Grow Irish immersion.

That said, Alex wasn’t without doubts. Coming from an economics background with minimal coding experience, he worried about the technical learning curve. “R and SQL felt like learning a new language,” he said. But regular meetings with professors, focused time management, and support from classmates helped him shift from overwhelmed to empowered.

Personal Growth Through Challenges

For Alex, the biggest growth came from facing technical challenges head-on. Early in the program, he often had to wrestle with coding assignments and complex data tasks. But he learned to push through. “The professors truly went above and beyond—meeting outside of class, encouraging us, and helping us think through tough concepts.”

As he grew more confident in tools like R, SQL, and Tableau, he also developed the ability to clearly communicate data-driven insights. “Now, I can take a massive dataset, analyze it, and present key takeaways that support a business decision. That’s a skill I never had before.”

Just as important was the community he found. “The Notre Dame environment is so welcoming. I didn’t know a single person when I arrived, but within the first month, I had a tight-knit group of friends. The small cohort size made all the difference.”

Academic and Professional Transformation

One of the courses that most impacted Alex was Unstructured Data Analytics with Professor Seth Berry. His final project? A sentiment analysis on Indianapolis golf course reviews—an assignment that blended his interests and pushed his technical limits. “It was the first time I saw myself applying what I learned in a way that felt both meaningful and fun,” he said.

He also highlighted Data Storytelling and Ethics of Data Analytics as transformative. “Now, when I see a chart on the news or in an article, I can immediately assess if it’s misleading or biased. That kind of awareness is powerful.”

Alex says the program helped him develop not just analytical skills, but real confidence. “I discovered strengths I didn’t know I had—like communicating complex topics, leading group projects, and thinking critically about how data influences decisions.”

Career Clarity and the Notre Dame Network

The MSBA experience gave Alex clarity about his career path. “My economics degree had always been more theoretical,” he said. “This program showed me how I could apply those theories in real-world settings—whether as a data analyst, strategist, or consultant.”

Notre Dame’s alumni network proved to be a powerful resource. “I’ve made connections with amazing people in the field. I know those relationships will support me for years to come.”

Alex is already staying connected through the Notre Dame Club of Indianapolis—and looks forward to giving back to the community that’s given him so much.

The Notre Dame Experience: A Tradition and a Family

For Alex, one of the most magical parts of Notre Dame has been the tradition. “Game days are incredible,” he said. “Watching the football team walk from the Basilica to the stadium—it’s not just about the game, it’s about the spirit and history of this place.”

He credits much of his success to the mentorship of professors like Seth Berry, Sharif Nijim, and Martin Barron. “Martin’s Machine Learning class was one of the best I’ve ever taken,” Alex said. “All three professors made me feel like they truly cared—not just about my success in the class, but about me as a person.”

Advice to Future Students

If he could give his Day 1 self some advice, Alex would say: “Soak in every moment—it goes by fast. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. And remember, everyone’s here to support you.”

To anyone considering the program, Alex’s message is simple: 

“Take the leap. You don’t have to be the best coder or the most technical person. You just have to be open to growth. This program will help you unlock your potential in ways you never imagined.”