Did you know industrial engineering is the fourth largest branch of engineering in terms of employment? Many people don’t because they don’t understand just what industrial engineers do.
Simple definition, complex influence
Industrial engineering is the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, materials, information, equipment, and energy. For example, industrial engineers make hospital emergency rooms more efficient, improve product quality in manufacturing, reduce wait times for rides at theme parks, improve job safety in offices and factories, and ensure that goods and services are delivered without delays.
Specialized skills
Industrial engineering brings mathematics, physical, and social sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design to specify, predict, and evaluate the results. With an emphasis on decision-making, industrial engineering is an excellent "liberal" education in engineering.
Employment opportunities
Industrial engineers are "big picture" problem-solvers and, as a result, are hired by all types of companies and organizations. Best of all, job satisfaction surveys indicate that graduates typically rank in the top 20 percent with respect to job satisfaction, higher than other major engineering disciplines and typically have greater flexibility in career options than other academic disciplines.
