Foo - Comparing employment prospects of two majors.

I just graduated college and am gainfully employed, but I know that I am itching to go to grad school and dont want to stay at my job for more than a couple of years. There are two fields that are of interest to me and I am well prepared for: operations research and economics.
Both have core concepts of interest to me, and part of my decision will be reliant on the marketability of the degree to an employer. Which graduate degree will help me more in the job market, assuming I don't want to teach.

Why limit yourself to either one?
You can get a masters in something just because you like the subject.....that's why I'm getting a masters in MIS.

And I have a genuine interest in both topics. Given that, I think employability should be a criterion for which I do. Even if I decide to do both, one has to come first ;).

And I have a genuine interest in both topics. Given that, I think employability should be a criterion for which I do. Even if I decide to do both, one has to come first ;).

yep....personally, I'd do the OR first. But either one should be fine. Would your current employer help pay some of the costs?

yep....personally, I'd do the OR first. But either one should be fine. Would your current employer help pay some of the costs?

They might help pay for OR, as I think they'd have some use for those skills. The problem is that there aren't any grad schools nearby that would realistically allow me to keep my job and attend school, so my guess is that I'll be on my own on this one.

No online programs?

No online programs?

I'd rather do it in person.

And I have a genuine interest in both topics. Given that, I think employability should be a criterion for which I do. Even if I decide to do both, one has to come first ;).

Your credential will get you into 2 different kinds of job searches: those so specialized they really care about the topic of your research (your publication record), and those so generalized they only care about the degree (MS/PhD) and not about the topic. In other words, as far as I can tell, they either look at such a micro level that your department doesn't matter, or at such a macro level that your department doesn't matter.

look in the Federal Occupational Outlook - it's online now - it will give you a forecast of job growth, availablitity, income, etc.

If I was spry, I'd recommend you to avoid occupations that need any research!

If I was spry, I'd recommend you to avoid occupations that need any research!

Aren't you clever! BF is actually a part of my research ;)

Aren't you clever! BF is actually a part of my research ;)

See, told ya,need to heed my advise from now on.

Now get your boney ass off my lawn before I turn the sprinkler on ya.

I guess opening a new litre of Sailor Jerry and celebrating for you last weekend was a bit premature?
The last job interview went south again?Life insurance company jobs always hit the wall anyways.

I guess opening a new litre of Sailor Jerry and celebrating for you last weekend was a bit premature?
The last job interview went south again?Life insurance company jobs always hit the wall anyways.

Actually the last interview I had was well over a month ago, where I was hired right on the spot at a really good salary. How's your job search going?

Aren't you clever! BF is actually a part of my research ;)

Have you learned to ask questions the smart way yet?

Actually the last interview I had was well over a month ago, where I was hired right on the spot at a really good salary. How's your job search going?

So you took the life insurance/financial planner salesman job eh?That will clear out a room full of friends and relatives.

Job search,me?
I'm nearing the end of my career(contemporary verbal fabricator) and need you to help fill the SS tax coffers so I can pay my water bill when I hose your ass off my lawn.

You want a lock on a job?

Do you like math? You will need to genuinely like it.

Insurance companies hire a lot of math majors to do the statistics
for their programs.

You will need to find out what they want to see for a background.

And after they hire you, you usually work half time and then study half time
on the company's dime until you get certified.

But they always need guys, and the pay is very good.

Insurance actuary?

Hey!,those are the dirtbags that raise our rates based on trumped-up/fictional statistics.
This job will even have his grandmother and me hating him.

Insurance actuary?

Hey!,those are the dirtbags that raise our rates based on trumped-up/fictional statistics.
This job will even have his grandmother and me hating him.

Actually, that's probably not true. The actuaries only fudge the numbers. I'm sure there is a co-conspirator to adjust the rates ;)

Operations Analysis.

Do a little research. Check out career builder or monster to see what job titles might have the abilities that you'll have after graduation. Career Builder also has a salary calculator.

Psychology: to gather minions.
Military Theory: to put them to use.

Stop thinking small.

Psychology: to gather minions.
Military Theory: to put them to use.

Stop thinking small.

So Pcow2 needs to sign up for the military or be doomed to the life of a lackluster minion?

Actually, that's probably not true. The actuaries only fudge the numbers. I'm sure there is a co-conspirator to adjust the rates ;)

Actuaries fudge them downward to keep keep sticker prices passing the red-face test.