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Forecasting, friendship and the future

Spencer Gould has found his calling. Even as a high school �鶹��ý, he created spreadsheets and used tools to analyze data to make his life easier. When he was seeking out potential majors at WMU, he was immediately drawn to business analytics, and his classes in the program cemented his decision to pursue a career in data analysis.

Throughout his years at WMU, Gould has worked a co-op position at DTE Energy on the fulfillment team for the gas division. As his role has grown, he has gone from more routine tasks to now being responsible for key reports that deal with revenue and gas storage forecasting. Gould’s reporting focuses on gas storage figures for customer accounts and helps account managers know which customers may potentially exceed their storage limits. If customers do go over these limits, it affects costs and revenue.

Though the experience Gould has had in his field has been critical, it is his connection with fellow �鶹��ýs that he is most proud of. “The �鶹��ýs I have met have led to some of the most meaningful friendships I have made in my life,” says Gould. “There is a great sense of belonging that comes from the fact that first-time college �鶹��ýs are all in the same place in life and do not really know what comes next in their journey.”

As Gould has formed friendships, he has been able to relate to his peers on a deeper level. “Being able to be vulnerable with others about your challenges in life goes a long way in creating an environment of belonging and trust. I lost my brother to suicide when I was 17, and it had a significant impact on my life. When I started to be comfortable around others at WMU, it was a story that I wanted people to know, and it turns out that I was not the only one who has experienced a tragic and emotionally challenging situation. Being honest about life experiences brings people together—it is important to know we are not alone in life.”

Throughout Gould’s undergraduate career, three professors have mentored him. “Dr. KC Chen, Dr. Sime Curkovic and Dr. Carrie Song have had a profound effect on my professional preparation. They are committed to �鶹��ý success and extending learning beyond the classroom.” When Gould hears one of these faculty members offer advice or a lesson they learned throughout their own careers, he takes notice. “I pay attention to their perspectives because they know what they are talking about, and I want to be able to learn from their experiences and challenges they have encountered. These professors are experts in their fields, and they know about emerging trends and technologies.”

One such emerging technology is an area of focus for Gould—artificial intelligence. “AI is the single most important trend currently evolving in the analytics field and business at large,” he notes. “With the development of recent technologies such as large language models, the technology that powers ChatGPT, the demand for AI is reaching new markets and customers. Businesses will be able to harness the power and efficiency of AI to find new ways to drive business impact or use analysis tools powered by AI to save on costs and find paths to new revenue streams. The next decade will be all about AI, and every company will find ways to implement tools to see what they can do for their business cases—they will also have to keep an eye on ethical concerns.”

Following graduation, Gould plans to pursue his MBA at WMU. “My career goals are simple: create valuable insights through ethical analysis, support those closest to me in life, and give back to my community. I envision myself as someone who will make a significant impact in this world through giving back to others. One day I hope to start a foundation to help people who have lost loved ones or members of their communities.”