Is Studying Operations Research Worth It for Data Scientists?

I think it mainly depends on your career goals. If you're looking at roles that involve complex decision-making processes or optimization challenges, it would definitely be useful. Otherwise, you might find more relevant material to focus on in the data science field.

Having a solid understanding of operations research can be beneficial, especially for certain roles. While it may not be the primary focus for most data science or machine learning positions, having that analytical skill set can definitely set you apart. It's great for improving your mathematical background and problem-solving approach, which are valuable in any tech role.

To be honest, unless you're targeting very specific industries or roles that heavily rely on optimization, OR might not be essential. However, the analytical skills you gain from studying it could enhance your overall data analysis capabilities. A lot of hiring managers appreciate candidates who have a solid grasp of applied math and algorithms—so it’s not wasted effort!