<p>The <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/executive-masters-in-marketing-and-strategic-communications.html" title="Executive MS in Marketing and Strategic Communications">Executive MS in Marketing and Strategic Communications</a> program at the NYU School of Professional Studies (NYU SPS) is designed by senior-level professionals, like Adam Braff, for marketing and PR executives on the rise. This five-semester program is hybrid. It begins with a week in-person and concludes with four days in-person, with the remainder of the coursework completed online, providing the flexibility to earn your degree while maintaining full-time employment.</p> <p>As part of a globally recognized research and teaching university, this program not only prepares you for the unprecedented changes in marketing and PR, but also offers invaluable networking opportunities and the distinct NYU competitive advantage to position you for success. We were thrilled to learn more about Braff and his experiences as a leading instructor in the program.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Braff studied linguistics at MIT and Brown University for undergrad, followed by a law degree at the University of Virginia, practicing law briefly in Washington DC. His career trajectory took a significant turn towards business analytics, leading him to various roles that eventually brought him to NYU SPS.</p> <p>After a decade at McKinsey &amp; Company, Braff discovered his passion for teaching through training junior consultants. &quot;I believe it's important to help train the next generation of business analytics leaders,&quot; he reflects. This passion, coupled with his experience in business analytics, led him to design and teach his first graduate course at NYU SPS, thanks to an invitation from his friend, the late Michael Diamond.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Braff's courses are hands-on and practical, focusing on real business problems and data sets. Students particularly appreciate building their skills in Excel and Tableau, culminating in a final project that showcases their ability to solve real-world problems. These courses provide students with improved software skills, a structured problem-solving approach, and tangible projects to share with future employers.</p> <p>One of Braff's significant successes in teaching has been his ability to adjust his courses based on student feedback and preferences, ensuring a more engaging learning experience. A notable challenge has been encouraging quiet students to participate in discussions, a hurdle he often overcomes with effective cold-calling techniques.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Public speaking is crucial in any business career, and Braff emphasizes its importance in his courses.</p> <p>&quot;My main tip for getting better is to have very few words on each printed page, know the substance well, speak to the audience without reading from notes, and turn it into an interactive Q&amp;A discussion as early as possible in order to build engagement.&quot; <br /> </p> <p>These skills are particularly honed in his Capstone course, where students present their work multiple times throughout the semester.<br /> </p> <p> </p>

<p>Braff's advice for communications professionals is to start working in the private sector, even if it's not in their ideal location or industry. Building skills, a track record, and a network over a few years can help them maneuver towards their dream job or discover new career interests.</p> <p>Highlighting the importance of understanding generative AI's capabilities in quantitative data analytics, Braff also advises students to first master traditional problem-solving methods before experimenting with generative AI tools. This hands-on experimentation with public datasets will help students understand the strengths and limitations of these tools.</p> <p>Braff's business analytics courses aim to develop well-rounded data scientists with skills in business domain knowledge, statistical acumen, and data management. He encourages all students to work towards marginal improvements in these areas, emphasizing that everyone can benefit from enhancing their ability to answer important questions with data.</p> <p>Join the next wave of future-focused communications professionals when you pursue an <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/executive-masters-in-marketing-and-strategic-communications.html" title="Executive MS in Marketing and Strategic Communications">Executive MS in Marketing and Strategic Communications</a>.</p>