Weighing the costs and benefits
of different solutions to complex problems,
operations research analysts
help organizations make better decisions.
Operations research analysts
use modeling software
to simulate current and future events,
and explore how altering the costs,
schedules and other variables,
might affect results.
Their first step is exploring
the problem at hand…
then observing business processes in action…
interviewing the clients
or managers involved…
and collecting other relevant data.
With data in hand,
analysts help managers decide
how to allocate resources,
develop production schedules,
manage the supply chain, and set prices.
For example, they may help decide
how to organize products in supermarkets,
the best way to ship products,
or even what an airline
should charge for tickets.
Almost all operations research analysts
work full time,
and are employed by finance
and insurance companies,
private consulting firms,
manufacturing,
and for the Department of Defense.
Most of their time is spent in an office,
but they may visit organizations
to gather data.
They often work in teams
with experts from a variety
of different fields.
Though many positions require
a master’s or Ph.D.,
a bachelor’s degree is sufficient
for most entry-level positions.
Typical majors include engineering,
computer science, analytics, or mathematics,
as well as operations research.
Positions with the military
are usually filled by military veterans.