The Volgenau School of Engineering played host to The Military Operations Research Society's (MORS) annual Education and Professional Development Colloquium this year on March 9-10.
The event brings together students, junior analysts, and senior professionals to provide mentoring and professional development opportunities. Approximately 100 participants, including students and cadets from Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel, and the service academies attended the various events that included speed mentoring sessions, an academic work poster competition, various panel discussions, and a job fair.
Paul Nicolas, a PhD student in Systems Engineering and Operations Research (SEOR) and former officer in the US Marine Corps participated in one of the panel discussions. During the discussion he talked about his experiences as an Operations Research analyst while deployed in the Middle East.
"The best thing about the conference was being able to provide some guidance to young people embarking on their operations research careers," said Nicolas. "I have certainly benefited from mentorship and advice throughout the years, so I'm happy to be able to pay it forward."
Andrew Loerch, associate professor in SEOR and long-time MORS member said, "MORS has a long and distinguished history of enhancing the quality of analysis and addressing real world national security interests. This is colloquium is one of many ways the society promotes its mission."