The Data Behind Development

As the manager of talent development and inclusion at global law firm DLA Piper, Kanika Singh (MSIT '22) sees herself as a liaison between the business and its data.

In her role, she translates the company's vision into analytical models, dashboards, databases, and software that align with end-user expectations.

"I develop key performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of the training and evaluation of the workforce, as well as the representation of different groups," she said. "These metrics track long-term trends and enable leadership to make data-driven decisions."

Those decisions can help attract, retain, and advance more than 4,000 lawyers and business professionals.

Singh joined Piper in 2019 as a learning technologies analyst. When she considered advancement in the company, she knew she needed to add skills to her toolbox. To accomplish that, she turned to Northwestern Engineering's Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) program.

“Although I do not aim for a tech career, I recognized the importance of gaining enough understanding to engage in discussions with the IT team effectively,” she said. “The MSIT program's unique 70 percent technology and 30 percent business curriculum mix provided me with a fascinating perspective that met my needs.”

Less than one year after graduating, Singh was promoted to her current role.

In her position with the talent development and inclusion team, she recognizes the significance of integrating business goals and data to cultivate a dynamic workforce.

"A team composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds brings out the best in an organization," she said. "By taking a comprehensive approach to talent development and inclusion, and investing in the skills of all employees through mentorship, training, and growth, we unlock the workforce's full potential."

To help in that effort, Singh weeds through the massive amount of data the firm generates to create dashboards and offers actionable insights to executives. She said she spends up to 80 percent of her time on daily work such as client inquiries, meetings, and database maintenance.  

It’s the other 20 percent that gives her the most job satisfaction.

“This segment includes activities like investigating ways to enhance existing processes, staying updated on new technologies within the team, and identifying new projects that utilize data to showcase results,” she said. “That is the part of my day I enjoy the most.”

Singh applies lessons from MSIT to her projects. Yes, she acquired technical expertise that helped her grow, what had a lasting impact was the bond she formed with her cohort and the experiences she gained working with them.

“I found a remarkable support system in MSIT that was pivotal to nurturing and facilitating growth,” she said. “This community made the journey toward success more transparent and streamlined the process, allowing me to progress confidently and efficiently.”

Because of that, Singh strongly supports the MSIT program. She believes the structure of the curriculum makes the program ideal for helping to accelerate career growth.

“MSIT goes beyond textbooks. You’ll establish a network of coaches and peers who can provide invaluable resources for internships, job opportunities, and mentorship throughout your career,” she said. “It’s a transformative journey.”