Despite what most people believe, a degree in industrial engineering does not confine your career options to the manufacturing industry. Nor does it make you stuck behind a computer working many hours doing CAD. Industrial engineering, as a profession, has become influential in recent times. In fact, many of the CEOs in the Fortune 500 have backgrounds in industrial engineering. On top of that, more industrial engineers are taking up managerial roles at all levels.

What is an educational program in Industrial Engineering?

To put it simply, industrial engineering focuses on making things better. From business processes to product designs, this branch of engineering aims to achieve efficient systems and produce products that work. Moreover, industrial engineering finds solutions that can help businesses and organizations waste less money and time and use raw materials and manpower wisely while complying with all the regulations and standards imposed by governments.

Industrial engineering combines engineering coursework with business classes. In fact, industrial engineering is closely linked to the management and business administration of materials and manpower in a manufacturing environment. This means you can learn the core philosophies of how to run an efficient operation, which is needed for a successful business. 

As an industrial engineer, you will combine your engineering background with good business sense to serve as the bridge between management goals and operational performance. This is probably the reason why many IEs are moving into managerial roles. It is clear that a transition in skills is occurring: industrial engineers are adding managerial skills to their technical skills.

What does an educational program in Industrial Engineering cover?

An industrial engineering major is a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, an undergraduate program for individuals who want to pursue a career as an industrial engineer. Students of the program learn courses such as manufacturing, enterprise computing, engineering, systems engineering, ergonomics, and operations research and analytics.

Industrial engineering majors understand concepts and get hands-on experience that covers topics like enterprise computing, metrology, applied ergonomics, welding processes, metal-casting, prototyping, industrial automation systems, and machining processes.

Industrial engineering degrees help one to explore career opportunities in various areas, such as:

• Health care: Industrial engineers help health care facilities by manufacturing and producing medical equipment and developing hospital procedures that make treatment better

• manufacturing: They design quality equipment and other devices at a competitive price

• airlines: industrial engineers can assist airlines in identifying the best schedules and timings so that their customers are content with traveling choices and also reduce operating costs

• technical sales: these professionals can work in companies to help them sell their technical goods and use their problem-solving techniques to come up with ideas on how the goods can add value.

• Financial analytics: industrial engineers assist financial services organizations in making decisions to optimize ways stakeholders get an advantage while cutting operating costs.

What types of jobs are available for Industrial Engineering graduates?

Some of the common roles held by industrial engineers are production engineers, maintenance engineers, control system engineers, etc. They look after the aspects of quality control, product specifications, management of personnel, etc. They also oversee the aspects of safety regulations in the factories. The movement of the machines is made under their supervision. An industrial engineer can also find work in the industries of aerospace, petroleum facilities, etc. An industrial engineer looks after all aspects of the installation, designing to maintain the machinery installed at a manufacturing facility. Every manufacturing establishment installs advanced machinery in their premises to carry out the production of goods. As machines are complex, they need the expertise of an industrial engineer for their operations. The requirements of industrial engineers are in every facility dealing with the machines.