<p>Hey,</p>
<p>So since I’m mostly interested in business, you guys have been recommending that I look into IE. I heeded your advice, and this field seems REALLY interesting! The practicality and mathematical nature of this field also intrigues me, so I’ll just ask a few questions really quickly:</p>
<li><p>Which sub-field within IE is most mathematically oriented? I don’t have a preference towards what type of math (although I’d like either stats or calculus related stuff), and I do realize its a bit early to look at it, but I’m just curious, so thats the only reason I’m asking.</p></li>
<li><p>Are there other fields similar to OR? I ask this because I’ve heard that OR is dying in terms of demand (although I could be way off because I keep hearing different things). What drew me to OR was mostly the optimization of various needs, and because it drew some similarities to supply chain management. Optimization and improving efficiency of various things really interests me, so are there more areas in IE that are related to that?</p></li>
<li><p>How much does undergraduate prestige matter? I know I ask this a lot, and that in engineering it matters less, but I’d like to move up into management (which I hear is fairly easy in IE), so I was wondering how much difference prestige will make.</p></li>
<li><p>What can getting an MBA open for a person who has a BS in IE and CS?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>sorry for the long post, but any help is appreciated.</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>Hi California Love:</p>
<p>My DD is also looking at IE and we have many of the same questions. You asked some good ones.</p>
<p>Answers anyone?</p>
<p>lol, California love, you have more than 480 threads started by you...</p>
<p>yeah, I have a lot of chances threads and stuff.</p>
<p>Hmmm...
1. Operations research, optimization, and systems simulation all require lots of math, even by engineering standards. You'll find plenty of calculus, analysis, and discrete mathematics in each. The only real difference is the philosophy of the exercise - do you want to solve well defined problems (OR)? Do you want to investigate activities to maximize net benefits (OPT)? Or would you prefer simulating and studying activities, often using stochastic (random, probabilistic) methods to better understand the mechanics thereof (SS)? There is a good deal of overlap in these subareas, but they all focus on studying/improving processes, and will require similar mathematical abilities: analysis, discrete math, knowledge of algorithms, and programming ability.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>As I said before, there is a fair deal of overlap in the various subareas. Plus, with just an undergraduate degree, you don't need to worry overmuch about specializations. You can move into work in any of the areas, regardless of any specialization or concentration courses.</p></li>
<li><p>Prestige might help, but only if your employers care about it. This generally happens when your employers went to the school, or like it for some other reason. I would suggest adopting a more cynical view of prestige, and searching through resumes of the big-wigs in places / positions you'd like to work. If you see any specific trends, then... well, you could even make a study out of it and put it as an accomplishment on your resume. Why not?</p></li>
<li><p>MBAs from a top-tier school will open up mid and upper level management jobs at large multinationals. Getting further will take time and networking, or entrepreneurship.</p></li>
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<p>IE and CS? Nice combo. I finally decided to do CS and Physics, but IE is definitely a fun curriculum... anyway, yeah...</p>
<p>thanks qs, but what does OPT, SS and all that stand for?</p>
<p>for the first reply, I'm mostly into the maximization of net benefits or simulation stuff, at least for now. Are there any specialities within this field that are in demand or will be in the future (well I guess I shouldn't be too worried because I will have a CS major as well, so I can easily do software for another company...)? Also, since I am into computer programming and such, are there any jobs that require programming? Yes, I do know that CS majors don't just program, but it would still be nice knowing that after working so hard for a CS degree I can actually use what I learned to use. I guess this would definitely fall under this part of your reply: "simulating and studying activities, often using stochastic (random, probabilistic) methods to better understand the mechanics thereof (SS)" because they may need people to design/maintain those programs, but are there any other fields that are programming heavy? I'm guess Supply Chain Management or Quality Control may also use programming regularly, so yeah.</p>
<p>EDIT: Btw, is there any, or some overlap between CS and IE? I'm guessing some of the math stuff will overlap, but is that it?</p>