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To Students: Your next step with INFORMS

  • 1.  To Students: Your next step with INFORMS

    Posted 15 hours ago

    When I attend INFORMS conferences, one of my favorite things is talking with student members about the projects you’re working on and the career paths you’re exploring. Those conversations always remind me how many interesting directions O.R. and analytics careers can take.

    It’s graduation season, so I’m sure there are more than a few of you thinking about your future. Here are two things I want to share about INFORMS membership that some student members don’t know: 

    1. INFORMS is for industry professionals, too. 
      There’s an active community of industry professionals at INFORMS, along with three levels of professional certification, career resources, and many ways to stay engaged beyond academia. If you’re heading into an industry career, know that you’ll find plenty of people here who have taken that path.
    2. To help make the transition affordable, you get a discount on dues. 
      When you renew your membership for the first time after graduation, be sure to select the Student‑to‑Regular rate for 50% off dues. Simple as that! You’ll keep your access to journals, communities, and career resources. 

    I also can’t resist offering a bit of unsolicited advice (I’m a mom). Remember that graduation, relocation, and job changes are big transitions, but they’re not a whole new start. The relationships you’ve built with professors, peers, and younger students don’t have to end when you move on. Bring those relationships with you to your next stage, and the one after that.  

    This is where I think belonging to a professional community gives you an edge. It makes it easier to stay in touch with those connections. It provides continuity over your entire career, whatever twists and turns come along.  

    If you have questions about renewing your membership or the benefits you have access to, you’re more than welcome to reach out to me or reply to this post.  

    Wishing you a wonderful summer!  

    Tracy 



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    Tracy Cahall
    Member Engagement Manager
    INFORMS
    Catonsville MD
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