Difficult Decision: MS Operations Research or Software Development?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision-making process of choosing between a Master's in Operations Research (OR) and a career in Software Development. Participants explore the distinctions and overlaps between industrial engineering, operations research, and software engineering, focusing on their respective emphases on data analysis, optimization, and programming.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about whether to continue in MS operations research or shift towards software development, noting a preference for programming challenges over statistical coursework.
  • Another participant questions the binary choice between software development and industrial engineering, suggesting that industrial engineering involves more than just data analysis and includes process optimization.
  • It is proposed that knowledge of operations research can be beneficial in software development, indicating a potential overlap between the two fields.
  • Some participants note that industrial engineers and operations researchers need to be familiar with programming tools and libraries, such as Google OR tools and SciPy, to apply optimization strategies effectively.
  • There is a suggestion that industrial engineering may be viewed as a subspecialty of computer science, focusing on algorithm development for specific applications like supply chains.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between operations research and software development, with some emphasizing the distinct nature of each field while others highlight their interconnectedness. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best path forward for the original poster.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge that both fields require varying degrees of programming knowledge and mathematical skills, but the specific requirements and emphases may differ significantly. There is also an implication that the choice of curriculum may influence future career opportunities.

homeylova223
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I started a degree in MS operations research but now am having second thoughts.
I took a class in statistics and optimization using linear algebra. But what I enjoy most is programming in python.I am
also teaching myself c++.
People say industrial engineer is more about analyzing data while software engineer is more about building a product.

I am not sure which one to proceed on. I am enjoying coding challenges on website like leetcode way more than
probability and statistics. So does that mean my path is more toward software development. I like small coding
challenges with list and small functions but I never developed software before...

And industrial engineer is like the applied version of operations research where you use simplex algorithm and other technique to model shipping and things like that.
 
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Where does a Systems Engineer fit in your definitions?
I would opt for the most math-intensive curriculum of your choices . The rest you will pick up as needed.
 
@homeylova223 , I personally think you are making a false dichotomy between career options in software development versus a career in industrial engineering/operations research (OR).

Industrial engineering is more than simply analyzing data -- the field is fundamentally involved with optimizing processes and systems (at both the theoretical and applied levels).

There is considerable applicability in applying such OR methods in the development of software (so knowledge of operations research is helpful in that respect). In addition, there are opportunities for work in software development that is devoted to OR.

At any rate, if I'm not mistaken, an OR MS degree will require at least some background or coursework in software development or programming. So it's not as if you are closing doors in either direction.
 
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Yes industrial engineer/OR do have to know a little bit about software. For example they have to know some of the libraries such as as google OR tools and scipy in python to use optimization strategies. It does seems like CS student would probably have more knowledge of lower level programming language like c++.

I guess both are intertwined. OR/industrial engineer student will probably have more knowledge of optimization and probability statistics, while a cs program there might be more emphasis on going in deph into .. compilers
and things like that.

It like industrial engineer is like a subspecialty of cs which focuses on developing algorithms for certain application like supply chains.In any case it seems like that to me.
 

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