Hi, I'd like to know how a day in the life of a typical operations researcher is. Also, how you got there.

Quick Facts: Operations Research Analysts From the BOLS google the job you want in the address bar and you can read about many companies hiring too. I know you will do very well in this field. The very best to you. Great Choice!
2012 Median Pay $72,100 per year
$34.66 per hour

Entry-Level Education Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation None
On-the-job Training None
Number of Jobs, 2012 73,200
Job Outlook, 2012-22 27% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change, 2012-22 19,500

What Operations Research Analysts Do
Operations research analysts use advanced mathematical and analytical methods to help organizations investigate complex issues, identify and solve problems, and make better decisions.

Work Environment
Operations research analysts spend most of their time in offices. Almost all operations research analysts work full time.

How to Become an Operations Research Analyst
Although some employers prefer to hire applicants with a master’s degree or PhDs, many entry-level positions are available for those with a bachelor’s degree. Since few schools offer bachelor’s or advanced degree programs in operations research, analysts typically have degrees in other quantitative fields, such as computer science, industrial engineering, or mathematics. Your surrounding would be business atire, in a company. This is a growing field with many job opps. with a wide variety of companies you can choose to work for. Here is a list of duties in the day of some things you will be doing.
Operations research analysts typically do the following:

Identify and define business problems, such as those in production, logistics, or sales
Collect and organize information from a variety of sources, such as computer databases
Gather input from workers involved in all aspects of the problem or from others who have specialized knowledge, so that they can help solve the problem
Examine information to figure out what is relevant to the problem and what methods should be used to analyze it
Use statistical analysis or simulations to analyze information and develop practical solutions to business problems
Advise managers and other decision makers on the impacts of various courses of action to take in order to address a problem
Write memos, reports, and other documents, outlining their findings and recommendations for managers, executives, and other officials
Operations research analysts are involved in all aspects of an organization. They help managers decide how to allocate resources, develop production schedules, manage the supply chain, and set prices. For example, they may help decide how to organize products in supermarkets or help companies figure out the most effective way to ship and distribute products.

Pay
The median annual wage for operations research analysts was $72,100 in May 2012.

Job Outlook
Employment of operations research analysts is projected to grow 27 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. As technology advances and companies seek efficiency and cost savings, demand for operations research analysis should continue to grow.
Hello Sarah, I found this information From the Board of Labor Stats. I sent another site you may want to look at in terms of finding more resources in your chosen career path.
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More Information, Including Links to ONET
Learn more about operations research analysts by visiting additional resources, including ONET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations