Natalia Lichagina ’05

Natalia Lichagina ’05 had never heard of operations research when she first came to Cornell as a computer science major. “While I enjoyed constructing algorithms and solving problems, I needed more interaction with people,” she says. “I read an article explaining how different OR tools could be applied to logistics, manufacturing, and stock market prediction and was fascinated by the vast array of applications available.”

Lichagina enjoyed her courses, especially “the more real-life and business-oriented classes such as accounting and entrepreneurship.” The OR course Design of Manufacturing Systems “was probably the most work-intensive class I have ever taken—and it taught me so much about teamwork, other people, and myself,” she says. Lichagina found the classes outside the College of Engineering “incredibly helpful in learning more about people.” Of the core engineering classes, “the three physics classes I took helped build my confidence that I could do well in Cornell despite the difficulty of material and such an intense schedule,” she notes.

“Initially I felt that my brain had finite capacity,” Lichagina says. “Not only did my knowledge expand, but also my faith in my ability to conquer any academic knowledge I wanted. In that sense, each of my Cornell classes was very helpful!”

Now a Master of Engineering student, Lichagina is considering a career in consulting: “It would allow me to continue meeting new people, solve problems, and constantly learn.” At the same time, “I want to stay flexible to whatever experiences come my way,” she says. “I know that, whatever I do, my Cornell Engineering OR degree will support and guide me.”