Operations Research folks in tech, how are we doing?
I’m getting my PhD in OR this year and joining a tech company in the Bay Area.
During my PhD I received decent training in optimization algorithms, things like MDPs and dynamic programming, combinatorial algorithms and approximation schemes.
I read papers on OR/MS/MP/MSOM/IJOC, and attend INFORMS every year.
Now that I’m about to start my career, here are two possible approaches that I could take:
1) focus on what I’m most comfortable with (OR), dive deep and try to be an OR expert
2) transition to general data science/software development (leetcode problems are fairly easy for me) and chase what’s most popular and financially rewarding
Folks who are/have been in similar situations, any thoughts?
Current TC: 25k PhD stipend
New Job: Some type of “scientist” with typical PhD new grad FANG L4 level compensation; team match is ongoing, and I may have the option to join either an OR heavy team or an MLE type team
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