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What are potential career opportunities for Industrial Engineers?
I am interested in the business side of Industrial Engineering more than the technical aspect. What opportunities are there for me?
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Michael’s Answer
Hi Gabby! Great question. The beauty of Industrial Engineering, and engineering in general, is that your career options are quite vast. You mentioned "the business side" of IE versus a technical role. Lots of IE's find themselves in business roles, particularly in the field of consulting. IE's are really great at identifying inefficiencies in processes and workflows, and that insight and technical knowledge is super valuable when looking at aspects of a company's overall performance and/or structure (which consultants do a lot of). Additionally, later on in their careers IE's find themselves in C-suite and managerial type roles due to their great project management skills and data-driven way of thinking. IE's are trained to consider many different factors (both human and data driven) when making decisions which is why they prove so valuable in the workplace. Just a note: Tim Cook, Apple CEO, is an IE and look at him now!
Long story short: there are many different options to explore with an IE background that aren't technical. The ones I'd look at are management/strategy consulting and project management.
Search for IE job openings and identify companies that are hiring IE's in non-technical roles
Talk to your college career counselor (if applicable) about possible opportunites
Long story short: there are many different options to explore with an IE background that aren't technical. The ones I'd look at are management/strategy consulting and project management.
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Ali’s Answer
Industrial engineering is a diverse field that offers a wide range of career opportunities, including roles that focus on the business side of the profession. As an industrial engineer interested in the business aspect, you can explore the following potential career paths:
1. Operations Manager: You can work as an operations manager, overseeing the day-to-day operations of a company or a specific department. Your industrial engineering background will help you optimize processes, improve efficiency, and manage resources effectively.
2. Supply Chain Manager: With your knowledge of systems and processes, you can pursue a career in supply chain management. You would be responsible for coordinating the flow of goods, information, and resources across the entire supply chain, from raw materials to the end consumer.
3. Process Improvement Consultant: Many organizations seek professionals with industrial engineering expertise to help them identify and implement process improvements. As a consultant, you would analyze existing operations, identify bottlenecks, and recommend strategies to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and optimize productivity.
4. Business Analyst: Your analytical skills and understanding of industrial systems make you a valuable asset as a business analyst. You would analyze data, identify trends, and provide insights to support strategic decision-making and improve business performance.
5. Project Manager: Industrial engineers often possess excellent project management skills due to their ability to plan, coordinate, and execute complex projects. As a project manager, you would oversee the successful completion of projects, ensuring they meet objectives, timelines, and budget constraints.
6. Quality Engineer/Manager: Quality is a critical aspect of any business, and as a quality engineer or manager, you would focus on ensuring that products or services meet or exceed customer expectations. Your industrial engineering background will enable you to design and implement quality control systems, conduct audits, and continuously improve processes.
7. Business Process Analyst: Industrial engineers are skilled in analyzing processes and identifying areas for improvement. As a business process analyst, you would evaluate existing processes, develop and document new procedures, and collaborate with different teams to enhance organizational efficiency.
8. Logistics Manager: In this role, you would be responsible for coordinating the movement, storage, and distribution of goods within an organization. Your industrial engineering knowledge would help you optimize logistics networks, minimize costs, and improve overall supply chain performance.
These are just a few examples of potential career opportunities for industrial engineers interested in the business side. Remember that the specific roles and job titles may vary across industries and organizations. It's beneficial to gain experience through internships, co-op programs, or entry-level positions to develop a deeper understanding of the business aspects of industrial engineering and explore your interests further.
1. Operations Manager: You can work as an operations manager, overseeing the day-to-day operations of a company or a specific department. Your industrial engineering background will help you optimize processes, improve efficiency, and manage resources effectively.
2. Supply Chain Manager: With your knowledge of systems and processes, you can pursue a career in supply chain management. You would be responsible for coordinating the flow of goods, information, and resources across the entire supply chain, from raw materials to the end consumer.
3. Process Improvement Consultant: Many organizations seek professionals with industrial engineering expertise to help them identify and implement process improvements. As a consultant, you would analyze existing operations, identify bottlenecks, and recommend strategies to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and optimize productivity.
4. Business Analyst: Your analytical skills and understanding of industrial systems make you a valuable asset as a business analyst. You would analyze data, identify trends, and provide insights to support strategic decision-making and improve business performance.
5. Project Manager: Industrial engineers often possess excellent project management skills due to their ability to plan, coordinate, and execute complex projects. As a project manager, you would oversee the successful completion of projects, ensuring they meet objectives, timelines, and budget constraints.
6. Quality Engineer/Manager: Quality is a critical aspect of any business, and as a quality engineer or manager, you would focus on ensuring that products or services meet or exceed customer expectations. Your industrial engineering background will enable you to design and implement quality control systems, conduct audits, and continuously improve processes.
7. Business Process Analyst: Industrial engineers are skilled in analyzing processes and identifying areas for improvement. As a business process analyst, you would evaluate existing processes, develop and document new procedures, and collaborate with different teams to enhance organizational efficiency.
8. Logistics Manager: In this role, you would be responsible for coordinating the movement, storage, and distribution of goods within an organization. Your industrial engineering knowledge would help you optimize logistics networks, minimize costs, and improve overall supply chain performance.
These are just a few examples of potential career opportunities for industrial engineers interested in the business side. Remember that the specific roles and job titles may vary across industries and organizations. It's beneficial to gain experience through internships, co-op programs, or entry-level positions to develop a deeper understanding of the business aspects of industrial engineering and explore your interests further.
Updated
Andres’s Answer
My own dad has a degree in Industrial Engineering and so obviously knows a lot of other people who studied it with him and have had their whole careers pan out and he would simply say:
Industrial Engineering allows you to be the most flexible person in any business role. You know how business's work in the overall level, but more importantly you have built all the math skills to understand it in a fundamental level to make a difference in every role you enter.
He has had a large variety of roles, as have the other people he graduated with, you can even become a lawyer. As a whole I would call it the most versatile degree for business.
Industrial Engineering allows you to be the most flexible person in any business role. You know how business's work in the overall level, but more importantly you have built all the math skills to understand it in a fundamental level to make a difference in every role you enter.
He has had a large variety of roles, as have the other people he graduated with, you can even become a lawyer. As a whole I would call it the most versatile degree for business.
Updated
Greg’s Answer
I graduated as an Industrial Engineer and went back to night school for an MBA. The IE degree is a wonderful degree working inside a large company. I worked in the IE function streamlining blue collar and white-collar work processes making the company more efficient. I also was able to move around in the company and do a lot of other assignments as folks realize IE's have good technical skills and are people engineers. Other assignments I held are manufacturing engineer, advanced manufacturing engineer, production supervisor, materials process improvement manager, market analyst and market intelligence manager. An IE degree will provide you lots of options as your career evolves. Good luck!