Students in the Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) Class of 2016 begin job interviews this week, and already they have taken an important next step in their journey as analytics professionals post-graduation. By joining the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (known as INFORMS), the largest society in the world for professionals in the field of analytics, MSA students recognize the importance of being on top of their game: to stay connected to the profession, to keep up to date on the latest methods and best practices, to adhere to the society’s code of ethical conduct, and to promote the highest professional standards.
Since 2010, INFORMS has quickly become an important community for analytics professionals. The INFORMS Conference on Business Analytics and Operations Research is a vibrant gathering that brings together nearly 1,000 leading analytics professionals each year. With 114 student members enrolled at the Institute for Advanced Analytics, NC State is now home to the single largest student chapter of INFORMS. “As the nation’s first graduate program in analytics—and one of the largest—it’s encouraging to see our students play a burgeoning participatory role in INFORMS,” said the Institute’s director Dr. Michael Rappa, “and it bodes well for the continued growth and success of the analytics profession.”