Business Intelligence Developer Builds Data Models

Name: Eric James Stephens (he/him)

PhD: Rhetoric, Communication, and Information Design, Clemson University, 2018

What was your main area of research?

My research explored the intersection of genre theory, big data, and the language of American prisons. For my PhD, I conducted large-scale data analysis on over 300 inmate handbooks to examine how they function as genres that shape and reflect institutional ideologies.

What is your current job?

I am a Business Intelligence Developer for Rooney Holdings in Tulsa, OK.

I build data models for strategic business decisions.

I love that my job is an 8-5, and I can turn it off at the end of the day.

How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?

A recruiter saw my activity on LinkedIn.

PhD graduate ➡️ lecturer ➡️ unemployed ➡️ data analyst ➡️ business intelligence developer

Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia?

I was laid off during COVID.

What advice do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?

1. Focus on deliverables.

2. Network with people across campus.

3. When you create value, you add value.