Meet the Class of 2025: Tommy Pan 25MSBA

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This year, we are celebrating the incredible achievements of Goizueta Business School’s Class of 2025. As commencement approaches, we’re highlighting outstanding graduates from each program who have made their mark during their time at Goizueta. Meet Tommy Pan, a graduating MS in Business Analytics student whose journey has been shaped by curiosity, purpose, and a passion for healthcare innovation. In this Q&A, he shares how his background in business, chemistry, and data science is helping him make a meaningful impact in the world of health tech.

Hometown: Eden Prairie, Minnesota / Shanghai, China 

Previous Education: BBA/Chemistry at Emory, Oxford College Continuee 

Previous Employment: Teach for America (Ignite Fellow), Summer Internship at Breakthrough (Science Teaching Fellow), Summer Internship at University of Minnesota Medical School (Life Sciences Researcher) 

Clubs/Activities: I love attending theatre productions, running, cooking, and weightlifting.

Student Leadership: MSBA Admissions Ambassador, pre-BBA mentor 

What initially drew you to Goizueta Business School? What unique aspects of Goizueta’s culture, curriculum, or community made it stand out from other business schools you considered?  

Hi! My name is Zetao (Tommy) Pan, a joint major BBA/MSBA student with a double major in Chemistry. I began my Emory journey at Oxford College, a quaint but lively two-year campus experience away from the city.  

I chose the MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) program because of its blend of both technical and business skills. As an interdisciplinary student, I valued an educational experience that not only excels at teaching the fundamental skills of statistics and modeling but also focuses on our ability to communicate and perform various functions of a fast-changing industry.  

Before starting the program, I was afraid of coding. However, the MSBA program taught me to appreciate the beauty of this new language and respect the power it can hold in our technological future. I feel more prepared and future-proofed because of Goizueta Business School.  

What has been your most memorable experience during your time at Goizueta?  

During the first week of the MSBA program, our amazing advisors, Carly and Christina, planned an action-filled “Amazing Race” for us across Atlanta. We followed clues that led us on a trip from campus to a MARTA Station to Centennial Park (home to the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola museum). I remember going through the shark exhibit with Innocent and Praveen (two of my dearest friends now). There’s nothing more bonding than experiencing the awe of the universe with people you met just four days prior. Shoutout to them – and all my friends in the program– for making my MSBA experience better. 

How has your Goizueta education prepared you for your next career step?

The MSBA program is very keenly aware of how fast this industry – data science, AI, etc. – is changing. Our coursework and professional development reflect this sentiment by not merely teaching us “the how” to code or how to ace a technical interview – but also focusing on “the why” of various techniques and developing our voice. “Anyone can code!” Our managing director, Scott Radcliffe, would often proclaim, “But you can tell the story of the impact to your stakeholders.”  

The Goizueta education gave me a voice in a field where the reigning perception is that everyone is buried behind their computers, deep in their code. While that may often be true, I distinguished myself from others by knowing how to communicate my work. A majority of our courses had a presentation component. Participation in classes is an integral part of our assessment. Through practice, I feel confident to express myself in my future workplace, in hopes that one day to not only be a data analyst, but to be a leader.  

What advice would you give to incoming students in your program?  

Be a good teammate! You will be working in several teams at the same time for various projects across classes. It can be overwhelming at times – but know that everyone else feels the same way. Be the teammate that sets up the group chat. Initiate the first meeting time. Take notes during the meeting. These skills are paramount to your success in the MSBA program – and the workplace (I wouldn’t know quite yet, but believe me)! If every person in a team shares the work, the projects become a lot more rewarding.  

How do you plan to stay connected with the Goizueta community after graduation?  

I am deeply thankful to the Emory alumnus who accepted my unsolicited LinkedIn request and took time out of their working day to chat with me. I hope to do the same and be available to anyone who reaches out. I will help in whatever way I can. I want to help.  

What are your long-term career goals, and how do you see yourself making an impact in your chosen field?  

I started at Emory as a pre-medical student. That part of me still remains, albeit dormant, given my current pursuits. However, I hope to remain tangential to the life sciences/healthcare space. Just as the MSBA program here is the intersection of business, data, and technology, I see my education as the intersection of chemistry, business, and AI. That is the niche that I want to one day build.  

Interested in exploring MS in Business Analytics opportunities? Learn more about Goizueta’s MS in Business Analytics program.

Read in: 日本語