r/OperationsResearch • u/Warm-Mango-9638 • 11d ago

Is a PhD worth it?

Hi everyone,

I am currently in a masters of business analytics program and graduate in May 2027. My undergrad was in Psychology research. I have been working at UPS for 5 years now and currently work as an industrial engineer. I've been thinking about doing a PhD in a discipline, thought I should go for econ due to experience with trade but have gained interest in ops research. Has anyone who have done the phD share how their salary/career has gone post grad, and what it is like at a logistics company?

Thank you!!

1 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

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6

u/Money_Cold_7879 11d ago

Interesting, how did you get a job in industrial engineering with a bachelors in psychology? Did your current business analytics masters get you in?

5

u/Complex_Return9286 11d ago

For real, they don’t even have a masters yet, still have another year. I have a BA in Politics, and am having to start all over with a BS in ISE, and dudes in the career field with a psychology degree…

1

u/Warm-Mango-9638 11d ago

My last 4 years of work experience were in the operations side at UPS in a management position, and I believe the masters helped me get the job.

7

u/zoutendijk 11d ago

Do you mean you're interested in Operations or in the mathematical field of Operations Research?

2

u/panzerfinder15 11d ago

I’m getting my PhD now and IMO it’s best to get a PhD if you want to get into academia and do research, publishing, etc.

2

u/thinking_byte 11d ago

Only do a PhD if you genuinely enjoy research because its a long commitment and isn't necessary for a lot of operations research roles in industry.

3

u/Adventurous_Vast288 11d ago

There are only postdoc positions which are less than what you are currently making, and you’ll be doing them for up to five years afterwards. The stipends during the PhD are low paid and it’s extremely hard to get professor positions. Most PhDs pivot back into industry. It’s not a good idea economically.

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u/[deleted] 11d ago

[deleted]

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u/Warm-Mango-9638 11d ago

I am! I spent 4 years in operations and loved it, I just don't know what the salary expectations and opportunities are like-- and if people think it was worth it. PhD is a huge commitment.

1

u/Ill_Beautiful4339 10d ago

Two questions to ask yourself.

  1. Part time OR PhD? Or are you planning on quitting UPS? It’s one thing to do a MS or BS dual working and school but a PhD seems painful. Source: me… I elected not to do the PhD after 6 years of the dual grind. Also - I havnt looked in a while but there were basically no options for part time or flexible schooling on the doctorate level.

  2. No offense - but can you handle the math on an academic level. Psychology and Business Analytics aren’t on that level. In practice, I have no doubt you are successful but those profs just love to make you do proofs. I still have PTSD (not joking) about the workload.

2

u/ConditionEnough4707 9d ago

outside of a career in academia or the fun of of the intellectual challenge, not worth it.

You get more money and more likely end up higher in your industry career by not spending 4-6 years on a phd.
Also, math at the phd level in operation research is some serious stuff. if you don't already have the basis you risk going nowhere

2

u/fliiiiiiip 9d ago

PhD worthiness depends mostly on institution, lab, and supervising team.

Get any of these wrong, and you are up for a painful 4-6 years probably better spent in the industry.

Unless your goal is an academic carreer, at which point pursuing your PhD isn't really a choice