As we dive into the Spring 2025 term, we’re excited to announce an upcoming event that will help connect current students with accomplished alumni: Pathways to Careers in Management Science Lunch and Learn. This event will take place on Wednesday, February 19th, from 12-1pm, and will feature five SMU alumni who have navigated their way into successful careers in management science: Lily Anderson, Sophie Fernandez, Hayden Hodes, and Elizabeth McPherson. These alumni will share their experiences in the field, providing valuable insights into how their education at SMU helped shape their careers and the variety of roles that exist for management science graduates.
Management Science is a field that offers a unique combination of analytical thinking and practical problem-solving. Sophie Fernando ‘23 shared what drew her to the Management Science major:
“We learned about process mapping and statistical modeling and operational efficiencies among many other things— all of which could be applied to see very tangible results of improvements in whichever organization we chose to join after graduation.”
This focus on hands-on, real-world applications is one of the key features of the program at SMU.
Dr. Eli Olinick, Associate Professor in the Department of Operations Research and Engineering Management, highlights another crucial aspect of majoring in the Lyle School of Engineering:
“The Lyle Accelerated Pathways gives students the opportunity to earn a Bachelors and Master’s Degree in 5 Years. Students are encouraged to start exploring this option during the spring of their sophomore year.”
Whether you are a current student, prospective student, or someone interested in exploring the possibilities within management science, this Lunch and Learn is the perfect opportunity to hear firsthand how these professionals applied their education to make a tangible impact in their organizations.
To learn more about the PBI initiative, feel free to reach out to pbi@smu.edu.