How the Industrial Engineering Major Prepares You for the Job Market
Engineering is a complex field comprised of many disciplines of study. Engineers must possess the knowledge of complex sciences and mathematics in order to work in the field. Approximately two million people in the country are employed in the engineering field, according to the University of Delaware. This number is expected to keep growing as more complex problems arise that need solutions. Industrial engineers in particular work with factories, shops, and offices to develop efficient work flow plans and optimum production strategies. They also work with the machinery and equipment of a specific industry to devise the best ways to improve machinery use in order to maximize time efficiency and production. To prepare for these duties, industrial engineering students take courses in thermodynamics, engineering economic analysis, integrated manufacturing systems, and other related topics. This educational background enables industrial engineering graduates to quickly join in the work force because they already possess the technical skills and knowledge required in the field.
Best Career Paths for Industrial Engineering Majors
Industrial engineers can work with various companies in different niches depending on the engineerís particular interest. The best career paths for industrial engineering majors are:
- Industrial Engineer. Industrial engineers can work with companies that produce goods such as automobiles, paper products, or frozen foods, as well as with companies that offer services, such as repair shops, health care facilities, or consultation agencies. The best career paths for industrial engineering majors are in management and quality control, particularly those positions in the health care industry. The health care industry is one of the fastest growing industries today, and industrial engineers who can act in management positions as well as informed quality control positions will be in demand as more people join the health care workforce. In a management position, industrial engineers train employees on equipment use, keep up with the important task of equipment maintenance, and decide what new machinery the health care facility needs. Industrial engineers in quality control may work with a pharmaceutical company and keep tabs on the latest developments in the medicinal field as well as ensure that all of the medications produced are of the best quality. Industrial engineers make an average salary of $46,810 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Business Administration. Administrators ensure that any part of a company runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible. They are responsible for motivating and organizing other employees, as well as planning future business strategies and overseeing other duties such as resolving customer or employee disputes. Industrial engineers who work outside of manufacturing often find successful work in administrative positions for companies in their field of expertise. Administrators make an average salary of $77,040 annually, according to the Bureau.
How to Market Your Industrial Engineering Degree
Earning an industrial engineering degree is an important step towards starting your career in the electronics industry. However, you will also need to know how to market your degree to potential employers in order to prove to them that your education makes you an excellent candidate for the open position. The best way to market your education is to be specific about the skill sets you learned in class. For example, on your job application cover letter, specify some of the most challenging and relevant courses you took while in school and explain what you learned from it. For example, you may mention that you worked on a big research project for your process improvement class and learned how to successfully optimize a production plan for both long and short-term production. Be sure to mention all of the challenging projects you tackled and how those projects helped you hone your skills in the field. Reassuring employers that your educational background helped you develop real-world skills is the most effective way of marketing your industrial engineering degree.
