whcih course is better, MBA or masters in Operations research?

Question

I am asking in terms of details such as job oppurtunities and respectable proffession.

Answer 1

The MBA is a very popular and versatile degree, and it is the one a lot of businesses look for in recruiting. The program normally includes training in finance, marketing, general management, information technology, and quantitative methods. If you want to be in business, but are not sure of exactly where you want to be, I would go for the MBA.

In terms of job opportunities, popular options for MBA's are finance (including Wall Street), accounting, marketing and management consulting. Many companies special internship programs for the Summer between your first and second years of an MBA program. Some of them guarantee you a job offer right out the summer program -- you go through the second year of your MBA program knowing that a job awaits you when you finish.

The MS in Operations Research is more specific, typically emphasizing quantitative methods to study logistics, supply chain management, manufacturing, optimization and operations. It is for you if you know that you have a specific interest in these fields. It is a more mathematical degree. At many universities the program is part of the engineering department (rather than the business school), and in those cases it is an engineering degree (often called an MS in industrial engineering or soemthing like that). If the idea of having an engineering degree appeals to you, the MS in Operations Research may be the best option.

Some very innovative programs combine operations research, algorithms and the mathematics of combinatorics into one degree (called ACO - algorithms, combinatorics and optimization). The idea here is to combine computer technology, math, and optimization to solve problems in a variety of fields, including business. Problem is, these tend to be Phd programs. You can find them at Carnegie-Mellon and Georgia Tech.

I am not as certain as to how job prospects are in operations research, but I know it is a very active field.

The discussion would not be complete if I did not point out that there are also master's degress in financial engineering. These take a more mathematical approach than an MBA would, but are more focused on finance than the MS in operations research.

In terms of respectability, both degrees require hard work, and both can land you in a respectable postion. It goes without saying, get into a very good university.

When I went to graduate school in the early 1980s I did not want a traditional MBA, partly because many people were getting MBAs, and I wanted some degree of differentiation in my credentials. So I got an MS in Quantitative Analysis (which covered statistics and operations research). I have never regretted the choice. But I had already gotten my first job in business. If I had been trying to use the master's degree to land my first job, I might have gone with the MBA.

Here is a short article that may also be of help.

http://businessmajors.about.com/od/programcomparison/qt/MSvsMBA.htm

Answer 2

it depends on your interest first that which course you should join.. I understand that everybody would be saying this line to you, and you must be getting sick of hearing this again and again.. but thats true.. both the courses will get you a good job for sure... and after two three years.. when money will not be a real concern for you(and believe me it will happen), you will wonder why have you joined this course, if you were not interested in it.. so better introspect, and decide yourself... try to figure out what both the courses means, and where they will take you.. MSc (IT) is for IT companies only, you can start your career as a programmer, and go upto cheif IT officer in the organisation.. how ever you will have to build up your management skills for that too.. but it doesn't really require an MBA.. IT is booming now.. and may continue to next 4-5 yrs too, and if you ae not interested in Management you can find the line as tecnical architect too..Hence it will provide you a blend of Technical knowledge plus management.. By doing in MBA, you can join as a Management trainee in any oraganisation, any of the booming sectors like, Banking, IT, Retail, Telecom, FMCG.. virtually anything... But you will have to become a Hardcore manager and you can reach up to top Management... Think about your area of interest, thats most important.. coz both courses have equal oppertunities in terms of Salary and Job.. Best of luck