Dan Privott leverages 25 years of Oracle consulting experience, preparing students for business analytics careers
Dan Privott, business systems analytics professor of practice, is one of many faculty members in the Jack C. Massey College of Business using professional expertise and connection to provide a classroom experience that is directly transferrable to the workforce.
Privott is considered a NetSuite expert with over 25 years of consulting experience with the multinational technology corporation Oracle. Oracle Academy is a philanthropic arm of the tech giant that helps facilitate the use of Oracle products in education, including Oracle NetSuite.
“What students get is what we actually implement at client sites,” Privott explained. “This is not some educational system that was created strictly for the classroom.”
When Privott came to Belmont four years ago, he transitioned to full-time teaching. Today, he utilizes Oracle NetSuite in his classes to provide students with hands-on, real-world experience in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. He also keeps his finger on the pulse of industry trends by continuing his work with clients outside of the classroom.
“My career as an IT consultant specializing in first Oracle and more recently in NetSuite made this seem like a natural and advantageous arrangement,” he explained. “Now that I’m in the classroom setting with students, I can use realistic client situations and settings to give the students a better experience."
Hands-On Learning with Oracle NetSuite
In his Accounting Information Systems course, Privott dedicates half the semester to a comprehensive NetSuite project. Students progress from basic transactions to complex, end-to-end processes involving multiple steps and accounting entries. This hands-on approach builds both skills and confidence, preparing students for real-world scenarios they might encounter in their future careers.
Privott also teaches an IT consulting class where students work on a simulated NetSuite implementation project. They engage in discovery sessions, system configuration, testing cycles and even data conversion.
"The attempt is to make it as realistic as possible," Privott said, "so that what they're getting in the classroom is as close to an actual consulting job they would have if they were doing this for work."
For the past two summers, Privott has shared his innovative approach to classroom educationat the Accounting Information Systems Educators Conference. His presentation highlights the integration of Oracle NetSuite into his curriculum. In July, Privott's work received notable recognition, with Oracle Academy attending to support his session.
Privott stresses that while specific ERP knowledge is beneficial, the broader understanding of how these systems work is even more crucial. "I'm not trying to train you on NetSuite. I'm trying to give you experience with ERP," he tells his students.
The industry-relevant business skills students develop in Privott’s courses prepare them for the wide range of systems they may encounter in their careers, from QuickBooks to SAP, giving them a strong foundation as they enter the job market.
Elevating the Classroom Experience
Expert faculty truly distinguish the classroom experience at Belmont. While Privott's technical expertise is invaluable, he also emphasizes the importance of “soft skill” development, particularly clear communication, relationship building and adaptability in the consulting world.
“A student can be a great developer, or they might code better than anybody, but they have to be able to communicate in a way that's clear and thoughtful to the client,” he explained.
Through role-playing exercises, weekly status reports and feedback sessions, students learn to articulate their thoughts concisely and read the room in client interactions. As Privott continues to refine his teaching methods and stay current with industry trends, he's excited about the potential impact on his students' careers.
By combining technical skills, soft skills and real-world experience, Privott is preparing the next generation of business systems analysts for success in an ever-evolving technological landscape.
Learn more about the College of Business at Belmont.