Operations Research Analysts

I. JOB SUMMARY

Main Topic: Human Geography
Secondary Topic: Places and Region

Overview: Operations research analysts use mathematical and analytical methods to solve problems and improve organizations. They need to be able to identify problems, collect information, examine the information, use statistical analysis or modeling to develop solutions, advise organizations or businesses, and create reports of their findings. Operations research analysts can be involved in all areas of an organization to help solve problems or improve outcomes. Geographers would make successful operation research analysts because of their research backgrounds and ability to analyze and model data while paying attention to the location or place of a problem. Importantly, they must be able to provide multiple solutions including the costs and benefits of each outcome. Operation research analysts tend to work for finance, insurance, or technical companies, but can also work for the government or as contractors. This job field is expected to grow very quickly in the coming decade, especially with technological advances.

Geographers at work: Human geographers, Business geographers, Local geographers

Recommended College Courses: World Geography, Research Methods in Geography, Economic Geography, Community and Regional Planning, Political Geography, World Population, Cities and Urban Design, Location Analysis, American Ethnic Geography, Transportation systems, Web Mapping

Skills: Qualitative and quantitative methods, Field methods, Mapping, Human resource management, Working with census data, Computer programming, Statistics

Occupation Group: Mathematics

Learn more about Operations Research Analysts from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/operations-research-analysts.htm