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Akhila Gampa, WIU Applied Statistics and Decision Analytics graduate.
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Just Hired: Akhila Gampa

May 1, 2025

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Just Hired! Through the experiences of local, regional, national and international students, Western Illinois University has some incredible alumni who are changing the world in the workforce. This series will feature students from all over the world who are hired post-graduation.

MACOMB, IL - - Meet Akhila Gampa, a Western Illinois University Applied Statistics and Decision Analytics graduate, who has been hired by the University of Illinois Foundation (UIF), an independent nonprofit membership corporation.

"UIF plays a critical role in fundraising and donor engagement, helping to secure and manage philanthropic contributions that support scholarships, research, student programs and campus development," Gampa said.

Gampa works as a senior analytic developer and describes the process of landing this position as extensive. It included a resume screening, a technical and behavioral interview, a showcase of work and a presentation of proposals.

"I was able to showcase my skills in data analysis, regression modeling and communication, which helped me stand out. During the interviews, I shared examples of my work in predictive modeling and machine learning," Gampa said. "I also proposed ideas on how these techniques could be applied to donor analytics and strategic segmentation at UIF. They were impressed with my approach and enthusiasm for data-driven decision-making, which played a big part in my selection."

To stand out among other applicants, Gampa relied on the education and experience she received at WIU. She credits her coursework with equipping her with the essential skills to succeed in her professional career.

"At WIU, I developed a strong foundation in data science and analytics. I learned to work with real-world data, build predictive models and communicate data insights clearly," Gampa said. "My coursework and hands-on projects helped me understand how to translate data into actionable insights, which directly aligned with the skills required for this role. The program also improved my technical skills in R, Python and data visualization, which were essential in both the interview process and on the job."

As an alumna, Gampa plans to stay involved with WIU by engaging with the community and sharing her experience to help others.

"I plan to stay connected by engaging with current students, attending alumni events and sharing career guidance with those interested in data science. I'd love to give back by mentoring students or speaking about the transition from academics to industry, especially for those pursuing careers in analytics," Gampa said.

To share your hiring story with WIU, visit go.wiu.edu/4eVgEuw.

To learn more about the WIU MS in Applied Statistics and Decision Analytics, visit wiu.edu/cbt/eds/graduate-appliedstats.php.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing