elliott_j

I'm considering Chemical, Aero/Astro, and Applied Math/Operations Research... what sort of work would you do after graduating with a degree in something like that?

Mr Payne

Depends. Chemical is likely going to be working in a chemical/power plant of some sort. Aero/Astro will likely be working for defense. Applied Math/Operations Research...don't really know what they would go into. Finance?

Engr-CSAdvisor

ChemE is hot due to demand from the petro-chemicals and energy companies, even enviromental firms; AAE is hot for the likes of Boeing, Lockheed-Martin, Airbus, and their suppliers. Applied Math find their way to DOE and the various national labs generally, also in finance and professional services.

sakky

Finance is one possibility.

But a more general area for Operations Research would be distribution and supply chain/inventory. There are a ton of jobs available in that arena right now. With expanding globalization, every company has to find optimal ways of procuring raw materials and transporting finished goods to customers.

I know one guy who graduated from MIT, where he studied operations management and OR, and took a job at Apple. He spends probably about 75% of his time throughout Asia as part of the team that oversees the procurement of components for the Ipod and Iphone. He has to ensure that every one of Apple's suppliers precisely meets Apple's design specifications and capacity requirements and his team has the power to negotiate purchase orders as necessary.

It should also be noted that this guy is not Asian and speaks no Asian languages. Yet he spends most of his time working in Asia. It's a very nice (if stressful) job.