Career Journeys - Tech

Career Elective Guides

Tech Literacy

Regardless of role, tech firms and tech-oriented positions expect a working level of technical literacy. Certain concepts — such as design thinking, agile development, and product-market fit — are widespread in the tech world. The following electives include substantial components of tech literacy or specific skill sets the tech sector values.

 

Course Number	Course Title
7500	Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship in Action (IDEA) (FY-Q4)
7600	Data Visualization and Analytics (FY-Q4, Q1)
8033	Digital Marketing (Q1)
8632	Software Design (Q1)
8636	Digital Product Management (Q1)
8130	Prototyping and Product Development I (Q2)
8496	Data Science in Business (Q2)
8633	Software Development (J TERM)
8757	Pricing Analytics (Q3)
8055	Analytics for Experiments, Forecasts and Growth (Q3)
8640	Digital Capstone† (Q3)
8459	Innovation and Design Experience (3 cr.) (Q3, Q4)
8180	Hot Topics in Analytics (Q4)
8763	Gales of Creative Destruction (Q4)

Product Management

Product managers collaborate with engineering on a product’s road map. They gather customer insights, develop use cases and define features for release. Similar to product managers, program or project managers work with stakeholders to deliver solutions. Depending on the company, these roles are more or less technical, but most of them require working with technicians (such as software engineers). The following courses can directly improve your ability to interact successfully with these people.

 

Course Number	Course Title
7600	Data Visualization and Analytics (FY-Q4, Q1)
8632	Software Design (Q1)
8636	Digital Product Management (Q1)
8130	Prototyping and Product Development I (Q2)
8496	Data Science in Business (Q2)
8621	Project Management (Q2)
8633	Software Development (J TERM)
8055	Analytics for Experiments, Forecasts and Growth (Q3)
8640	Digital Capstone† (Q3)

Functional Area Knowledge

For the most part, preparation for functional area roles in the tech sector overlap that for other industries. However, some functional-area courses are relatively more valuable for those entering the tech sector (or tech-oriented organizations).

Marketing

Course Number	Course Title
8033	Digital Marketing (Q1)
8757	Pricing Analytics (Q3)
8464	Hot Topics in Marketing (Q4)

 

Sales Management

Course Number	Course Title
8500	Building and Leading a Professional Sales Force (Q1)

 

Finance

 

Course Number	Course Title
8453	Entrepreneurial Finance and Private Equity† (Q1, Q2)
8444	Investments† (Q2)
8059	Foundations and Applications of FinTech (Q2)
8445	Quantitative Portfolio Analysis (Q3)

 

Operations

Course Number	Course Title
8050	Digital Operations (Q3)
8466	Emerging Topics in Technology and Operations Management (Q4)

Communication

Course Number	Course Title
7600	Data Visualization and Analytics (FY-Q4,Q1)
8636	Digital Product Management* (Q1)
8632	Software Design* (Q1)
8125	Storytelling with Data (Q2)
8633	Software Development* (J TERM)
8320	Leadership Communication During Times of Disruption and Innovation (Q3)

Collaboration and Teamwork

Course Number	Course Title
8439	Leadership and Cultures of Trust & Innovation (J TERM)
8640	Digital Capstone† (Q3)
8476	Collaboration Lab (Q4)

Creativity and Problem Solving

Course Number	Course Title
7500	Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship in Action (FY-Q4)
8459	Innovation and Design Experience (3 cr.) (Q3, Q4)
8989	Critical and Creative Thinking in Business (Q4)

Concentrations

Business Analytics Concentration

The Business Analytics concentration will prepare students to participate in organizations that make abundant use of data/quantitative/mathematical techniques (“data science”) as part of their business processes.  It is a more general version of the “Market Analytics” concentration in that the areas of application are more than marketing.  We expect completion of this concentration to be a useful signal to potential employers of the analytic and quantitative abilities of the student.

Faculty Contact: Robert Carraway

Concentration Requirements

A student will be recognized as having completed this concentration when they have met the following constraints:

• Completed at least 9.0 hours of the courses listed below.
• Completed at least 1.5 hours of an Independent Study with a Quantitative Analysis faculty member.

Note: Not all courses may be offered in a given year.

Specific Required Courses: None. Although we expect students will take Data Analysis and Optimization (7600) as it is a pre-requisite for some of the courses below.

 

Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
7600	Data Visualization and Analytics	1.5
8015	Behavioral Decision Making	1.5
8033	Digital Marketing	1.5
8047	Pricing	1.5
8053	Sustainable Global Value Chains	1.5
8055	Analytics for Experiments, Forecasts and Growth	1.5
8059	Foundations and Applications of FinTech	1.5
8125	Storytelling with Data	1.5
8180	Hot Topics in Analytics	1.5
8444	Investments	1.5
8445	Quantitative Portfolio Management	1.5
8496	Data Science in Business	1.5
8621	Project Management	1.5
8632	Software Design	1.5
8633	Software Development	1.5
8636	Digital Product Management	1.5
8640	Digital Capstone	1.5
8757	Pricing Analytics	1.5
8830	Supply Chain Management	1.5

Corporate Innovation Concentration

Student graduates will develop the mindset and skill set to succeed at identifying and implementing innovation in a corporate setting.

Faculty Contact: Jeanne Liedtka

Concentration Requirements

A student will be recognized as having this concentration when they have completed 9.0 credit hours from the courses listed below.

Note: Not all courses may be offered in a given year.

 

Course Number	Course Title	Credit Hours
7500	IDEA	1.5
7618	Effectual Entrepreneurship	1.5
8014	Strategic Thinking	1.5
8015	Behavioral Decision Making	1.5
8130	Prototyping and Product Development I	1.5
8304	Consumer Behavior	1.5
8439	Leadership and Cultures of Trust and Innovation	1.5
8459	Innovation and Design Experience or	3
8636	Digital Product Management	0.15
8989	Critical and Creative Thinking in Business	1.5

Dual Degrees and More

Management Science Specialization

For students who want to add a quantitative and analytical focus to the general management curriculum, Darden offers a management science specialization. This specialization requires that students earn 12 credits from a select group of electives. It also carries a STEM designation, which gives international students in F-1 status who meet certain requirements the possibility of 36 months of work authorization in the U.S. after graduation.

Master of Science in Business Analytics

In one year and 30 credit hours, students in Darden's M.S. in business analytics degree develop the portfolio of skills needed to leverage and communicate insights into strategic corporate actions, solutions and results. 

Master of Business Administration/Master of Science in Data Science

Darden's Master of Business Administration/Master of Science in Data Science (MBA/MSDS) provides robust training and cutting-edge tools ideal for students who plan to pursue a variety of career fields, ranging from technology to entrepreneurship to consulting. 

Master of Business Administration/Master of Education

The UVA School of Education and Human Development and the Darden School of Business offer a MBA/M.Ed degree designed to prepare creative, principled, and practical leaders — leaders who will create education innovations in the United States and around the world. 

Master of Business Administration/Master of Engineering

Darden and UVA's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) offer the MBA/ME dual degree. The objective of the joint MBA/ME degree program is to develop leaders with business administration skills and solid technical expertise. 

Career Preparation

Through Darden’s Career Center and Alumni Career Services, you’ll gain career guidance from the moment you enroll and for wherever your career takes you after graduation. Here’s what you can expect:

• Pre-matriculation, First Year and Second Year career education 
• One-on-one, industry-specific coaching 
• Darden-facilitated opportunities for networking, meeting alumni and industry leaders, and interviewing 
• West Coast and NYC Tech Treks (on hiatus due to COVID-19 pandemic) 
• Resume and cover letter reviews 
• Access to advanced analytics and data to craft recruiting marketing materials such as resume, LinkedIn, and more 
• Industry- and employer-specific database for interview prep and salary research 
• Case interview prep 
• Mock interviews 
• Employer case competitions 
• Negotiation skill-building 
• Executives-in-Residence Program 

Career Clubs and Activities

Technology Club 

The Technology Club connects members to opportunities at tech companies, shares knowledge from thought leaders, and offers hands-on skills training, mentorship and recruiting support.  

FinTech Club 

The FinTech Club is devoted to promoting student interest in the FinTech industry, educate students on innovations that impact financial services, and support members who are pursuing careers in FinTech.  

Darden Business Innovation and Design Club 

The Darden Business Innovation and Design Club exists to foster a community around, promote the ideals of and encourage careers paths that incorporate design methodologies in leading organizations.  

Data Science Club 

The Data Science Club aims to educate MBA students on the importance of quantitative analytics and identify opportunities for members to pursue careers in the field of data science across a variety of industries.  

Centers and Fellowships

The Batten Institute 

The Batten Institute seeks to challenge every Darden student to fulfill their entrepreneurial potential through transformative learning experiences and groundbreaking research in entrepreneurship, innovation and technology.  

Batten Technology Venture Fellowships 

The Batten Technology Venture Fellows program offers Darden students an intensive, operational experience with early-stage technology ventures during a 10-week fellowship 

Batten Venture Internship Program 

The Batten Venture Internship Program provides Darden students the opportunity to pursue summer internships with startups and venture capital firms. 

Conferences and Events

Darden Marketing, General Management and Tech (MGMT) Conference

Darden's MGMT Conference provides a unique opportunity for three of the School's largest career clubs to host and engage with top employers hiring Darden talent.