Xinying Wu
Simulation Engineer
BNP Associates in Dallas, TX
What do you like about your career in industry?
This role let me apply operations research, data analysis, and simulation skills to handling baggage systems to improve their performance and make them more efficient.
What advice do you have for PhD students who are looking to go into industry?
I would recommend them try to get an internship as early as possible. Also, they could try to search some openings earlier and talk to recruiters to collect information which could help them get a job easier. At the same time, they also could have a wider view for what their future career might be. Based on this information, they may have a better idea to focus on that they need to learn and decide what they have to prepare during their PhD studies.
Can Celikbilek, Ph.D.
Data Scientist
Payscale in Seattle, WA
Why did you choose to pursue a career in industry?
Better flexibility for switching positions, company, income and lifestyle.
What do you like about your career in industry?
Learning new things, not repeating yourself, work life balance.
What advice do you have for PhD students who are looking to go into industry?
Learn programming, follow the tech and data science trends, attend workshops online and work with big data, that’s where magic begins. Go beyond what’s expected.
Manjeet Singh, Ph.D.
Research Director
DHL Supply Chain in Westerville, OH
Why did you choose to pursue a career in industry?
To gain experience in solving complex real-life industry problems.
What do you like about your career in industry?
My job constitutes both research and real-life application of analytics in Logistics.
What advice do you have for PhD students who are looking to go into industry?
Alongside core IE courses, taking programming and applied mathematics courses will provide skills that are important to succeed in analytics-related jobs in the industry.
Iman Ghalehkhondabi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Management
Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX
Why did you choose to pursue a career in academia?
Based on my credentials and personal interests. I like to work with mathematical modeling and publish the results. I also like teaching and the interaction with students
What advice do you have for PhD students who are looking to go into academia?
Focus on publishing at least one high quality journal paper and try to have some teaching experience both in face-to-face and online environments. Work on communication skills.
Ehsan Ahmadi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Business Analytics
Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX
What do you like about your career in academia?
One thing I really like in academia—compared to industry—is that you can follow your interest in both teaching and research. The schedule in academia is much more flexible than industry, and you have freedom over your time. Also, being in touch with students and mentoring them is something that I personally love.
Other comments:
Considering the workload, the payment rate in academia is not bad. 😊
Golshan Madraki, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY
Why did you choose to pursue a career in academia?
I had the opportunity to experience teaching and I did research during my Master’s and Ph.D. degrees and I realized that I am passionate about both. I can have a footprint in this world by publishing my studies and by educating the next generation. Academia let me fulfill this mission. Moreover, I feel academia usually has an interactive, happy, and refreshing atmosphere (compared to industry). Our customers usually are young, mostly motivated and hopeful students. In academia, I am mainly my own boss and for self-motivated people like me it is such a great opportunity (e.g., I run my own research group, have freedom to choose my own research direction, use the available resources such as research fund based on my own preferences, etc.)
Ehsan Ardjmand
Assistant Professor of Business Analytics
Ohio University in Athens, OH
What advice do you have for PhD students who are looking to go into academia?
Your Ph.D. period is an excellent time to focus on a subject and publish couple of journal papers. For the students who plan to go into academia, my advice is to take advantage of the resources they have during their Ph.D. program and publish in impactful journals. Also, it is always a good idea to teach a course during the Ph.D. program to have that experience in their resume.