I have a non-technical Bachelor’s degree (Aviation Management), 6+ years as an USAF Aircraft Maintenance officer and I’m seeking guidance on the best way to pursue a career in Operations Research, Data Science or similar fields.
I'm interested in helping organizations make better decisions by investigating complex issues utilizing advanced mathematical and analytical methods to identify and solve problems.
It seems like having a degree in Operations Research, Data Science, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or Statistics all seem to fit with what I would like to do, but not 100% sure on which particular one.
I’m hoping folks on here can help me determine which degree path is the one I should pursue given what I’m interested in and also if it’s probable to be employed straight out of the military in an entry-level position in these sorts of fields.
Here are some example postings I’ve found that I believe fit with what I’m interested in doing:
INFORMS Career Center (job postings):
Business Data Analyst
Senior Operations Analyst - Resource Planning - Chicago, IL (Finance)-WHQ00005655-ES
https://ual-pro.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=603677&src=JB-10440
Some of these positions say a business degree would work, but they reference tableau experience, SAS, etc… I do not have any of that, but would like to get it somehow.
So the question is, is it probable to get a job like this straight out of the military given my degree and military job?
The other question I was looking for some guidance on is:
Option #1: Given my existing bachelors degree, would be possible to go straight into a Master’s in Operations Research, Data Science, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, (assuming I get a good enough GRE score) etc…?
Option #2: Would I need to get an additional bachelors degree in say applied math, computer science, or industrial engineering and then go for these masters degrees?
Option #3: Could I take a bunch of math, statistics, computer science bachelors courses at a like an ABET accredited college and use those to apply for a masters degree in the degrees above without going the full route of getting a second bachelors?
What’s the route folks normally go in this kind of situation?
Optimally, I’d like to be able to transition right into a entry-level Operations Research-like job and go to school part-time for a masters degree in said field. I’m not quite sure that’s even possible given that work and classes are usually both during the day…. so any guidance there is also helpful. I know online is an option, but I believe I learn better in a class setting. However, that’s not a show-stopper.
The other option is to go to school full-time (using GI Bill) to work my way up to the masters degree in this field if I’m not able to directly transition.
I have attended a transition GPS class and 5-10 years from now I can see myself leading a team of analysts to investigate complex business issues and help solve problems which allow organizations make better decisions.
Additional background info:
I’m open to federal as well as private sector employment in any industry in the aforementioned occupations.
I’m married and the sole-income provider with a 2 year old.
- Andrew
Answers
You might want to consider a career in Actuarial Science. Check out beanactuary.org.
Contact me personally if you have any questions.
Good luck!
Dan S.
I had a similar interest when I got out of the Air Force in 1976. I made a mistake when I chose a Graduate School. Partly to locate close to family, I went to a school that was entirely into theory. This was a huge mistake. In the Air Force, I had worked on a 0 - 1 Integer Linear Programming Model of where to locate ROTC detachments using a purely heuristic algorithm. (Sorry if this is a little thick, but I explain the details below.) It turned out that I knew more about heuristics than any of the professors at the school. It sounds like you are interested in practical problems, just like I was. My strong recommendation to you is to make really sure that the program you chose works on practical problems, and not just theory. Ask to talk to some students in the program and make sure they are getting the instruction that you want to get. I ended up transferring from the Industrial Engineering School to the Management School and getting an MS in Management. Then I went back to programming. I never did work on another Operations Research problem.
My original background was a BA in Math and an MS in Statistics before I got into the Air Force. I had been fascinated by linear programming and optimization. My academic adviser at the University of Illinois said the only way to see practical problems and not theory was to take a course in Agricultural Economics. So I started with the feed mix problem, and then worked my way up to pig farms where you could either grow your own feed or buy the corn on the market. My agricultural background was minimal. I had spent a few summers on a family horse ranch in Montana, which had nothing to do with pig farming in Illinois. However, it was great as a way to learn how to formulate practical problems into a linear programming format. In choosing a program, you may have to be similarly flexible as to course material in order to see practical problems.
I was assigned to the ROTC problem by accident. The Colonel said, "The sh_t's hit the fan over in ROTC. Find out what they want and fix it." It turned out that at the end of the Vietnam War, we wanted to cut back on ROTC detachments in a systematic way. I formulated it a a linear optimization. Minimize cost, subject to producing the right number of pilots, navigators, technical officers and officers of all types. There was a geographical constraint which I did using the first digit of each school's zip code. You had to have at least a certain amount of officers from schools in each of the 10 zip code regions. It was zero one because you were either there or you weren't. It was great fun. I got a Meritorious Service Medal out of it.
Andrew,
Given your background, you would be able to transition fairly easily to an Aviation Safety Inspector Airworthiness (series 1825) or Operations Research Analyst position with the FAA. Go to USAJOBS add search the listings. If you are interested in working in government aviation safety oversight please let me know and I will provide more details.
Mark Aldridge
Hello Andrew,
I recommend you contact MOAA (Military Officers Association of America). MOAA is strong in options available under its CAREER heading. You'll be able to network with former military officers who can provide good suggestions. Do contact http://www.moaa.org/.
Wishng you well,
Harry Rakfeldt
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