Industrial engineering (IE) is about choices. Other engineering disciplines apply skills to very specific areas. Industrial engineering gives you the opportunity to work in lots of different kinds of businesses. The most distinctive aspect of industrial engineering is the flexibility that it offers. Whether it’s shortening a rollercoaster line, streamlining an operating room, distributing products worldwide, or manufacturing superior automobiles... It’s all in a day’s work for an industrial engineer.
Industrial engineers (IEs) figure out how to do things better. They engineer processes and systems that improve quality and productivity. IEs make significant contributions to their employers by saving money while, at the same time, making the workplace better for fellow workers. If you want to be a part of a profession dedicated to quality and continuous improvement, consider Industrial Engineering as your career of choice.
Manufacturing firms and service industries hire a significant number of IEs. Today, more and more businesses hire IEs in areas like sales & marketing, finance, information systems and personnel. Corporations as diverse as Coca Cola, UPS, Disney, IBM, Levi Strauss, Nike, The Gap, Intel, Microsoft, Motorola, Boeing (to name just a few) all use people with IE backgrounds to help manage their businesses. Other industries employing IEs are hospitals, airlines, banks, railroads, and social services.
As reported in the June 26, 1995, issue of Fortune magazine, the typical beginning salary for IEs is $35,224, with an average salary of $67,000. The typical top salary is $215,000. Industrial engineering is a profession that offers you great variety and tremendous earning power.
You can prepare early by taking advanced high school physical sciences and mathematics. On average, it takes four years to earn a bachelor’s degree in IE. Typically, the first two years are spent studying basic sciences (mathematics, physics, and chemistry), introductory engineering, the humanities, social sciences, and English. In the last two years, most courses will concentrate on industrial engineering. IIE can help you begin your college search by providing a list of accredited industrial engineering programs. (Contact information at the end of this section.) Please check this location on the web frequently. Very soon, IIE’s home page will have links to web sites of accredited IE programs.
The Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) is the only association devoted to serving the needs of industrial and systems engineering professionals. IIE has chapters and other services - including Student IE magazine - designed specifically for students. Every IE’s career should begin with IIE membership while still in school. Whether a college student or a practicing engineer, you will benefit from the many continuing education and networking opportunities available exclusively through IIE.
