Patrick McElhinney
MSc Operational Research, 2011
SAS Consultant at Sopra Group
The strength of the course's and university's reputation was what attracted me to the MSc in Operational Research in Strathclyde. There is a real emphasis on practical learning within the course highlighted by the experiential learning class. This class exposes you to the real life consultancy problems faced by large companies such as Tesco Bank, DSTL, and Scottish Water amongst others.
The variety of group works exposes you to learn how OR consultancy techniques can be applied to a wide variety of real-world problems and provides the opportunity to work alongside classmates. This combined with a city-based university living which made for a very enjoyable year.
Following the submission of my dissertation, I started a consultancy role with SOPRA Group in October. The ability to correctly structure a problem, consistency engage with Stakeholders to deliver analysis and high quality summary reports aimed at management level are the soft skills required in consultancy all of which I learned during the MSc. I believe the course truly prepares you for a career in consultancy and find that I very much apply the skills I learned every day in my current job.
