Land your dream job with a BSc in Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineering is a field in engineering that focuses on technical hands-on problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of industrial efficiency issues. BSc in Industrial Engineering graduates end up working in numerous sectors for a range of employers. 

You can end up working for mine companies, car manufacturers, government agencies, hospitals, food manufacturing facilities, and pretty much everyone in between. This is due to the fact that almost every kind of organization has safety and productivity concerns while optimizing for efficiency with time and money.

As a BSc in Industrial Engineering graduate, you have a wide variety of career options to choose from if you do not want to end up in the fields mentioned above you can also choose to pursue other career paths in research education training and consultation. 

Skills BSc in Industrial Engineering students acquire during the program 

A BSc in Industrial Engineering program offers students hands-on learning and helps them gain an understanding of Engineering fundamentals analysis and design.

This program provides students with a more general understanding of mechanical structural chemical and electrical engineering theories methods and techniques. It goes beyond the basics of Engineering fundamentals because students are taught elements of social science statistics and project management which are included in many industrial engineering programs.

The program consists of a broad spectrum that helps equip students with a truly comprehensive understanding of every factor that is involved in uncovering the optimal fact between people, machines, materials, and information technology. This teaches them how to design the fastest, safest, most efficient, and most cost-effective manufacturing tools.

Careers you can pursue with a BSc in Industrial Engineering degree 

• Agricultural Engineer
  The role of an agricultural engineer is to integrate engineering principles and designs with applied biological science for problem-solving in the agricultural, food, and other resource sectors.
  
  Agricultural engineers analyze agricultural operations and where the use of new technologies and methods to increase revenue improves the usage of land and conserve resources such as seeds, water fertilizers, pesticides, and fuel.
  
  Agricultural engineers have the opportunity to take on different responsibilities based solely on the job they may be hired to do. These responsibilities can range from designing improved drainage and irrigation systems to studying the genetics of a species or plant.
  
  
• Chemical Engineer
  The role of a chemical engineer is to determine how best to apply the discoveries of chemists to functional large-scale industrial systems. As a chemical engineer, you will also be responsible for conducting and applying research that concerns the conversion of all materials into a variety of end products.
  
  The skills that a chemical engineer possesses can be applied based on the responsibility of the job they've been hired to do these skills and functions include:
  
  
  • The research of new products from trial through to commercialization
  • The improvement of product lines
  • The designing and developing of specialized equipment that is used in the production of goods
  • The modifying and processing of plants that produce the products
  • The managing of scalar processes from plants to full industrial-scale manufacturing
• Distribution Planning Engineer
  Distribution Planning Engineers often perform difficult calculations in order to determine the type and arrangement of circuits needed within a distribution area as well as the size, type, and quantity of equipment needed such as transformers, circuit breakers, switches, and lightning arresters.
  
  They are responsible for the decision-making in both rural and urban locations where underground cables and aboveground electrical poles go. This includes their spacing and depth or height.
  
  The key tasks that distribution planning engineers carry out include:
  
  
  • Identifying the approximate sequence of events for a specific job
  • Using specialized planning software
  • Insurance work is completed according to the schedule and budget restrictions decided upon
  • Developing and presenting work schedules to the department managers and other relevant personnel involved in the project
    Providing technical support in moments of emergency response
• Consumer Advocate
  The role of a consumer advocate is to represent and inform consumers, as well as advocate on their behalf for the improvement of their quality of life and the quality of the marketplace in general.
  
  Their responsibility is to protect consumers from dangerous products and unethical business practices by taking on the role of a catalyst for enacting processes that lead to ensure that individuals and organizations that behave in an unethical, distrustful or abusive manner suffer the consequences.
  
  As a consumer advocate, you would normally work in the marketing sector where you would need to have a specific level of expertise. Advocates who specialize in fighting against predatory lending practices are often educated and have expertise in finance or economics.
  
  Careers in the Consumer Advocate field can vary. These different variations come in the form of advocates who are lawyers, lobbyists, non-profit foundation managers, grassroots organizers, policy analysts, outreach coordinators, and more.
  
  
• Food Process Engineer
  The role of a Food Process Engineer is to research and develop new and existing products, equipment, and processes within numerous business units of a food product manufacturing company.
  
  As a Food Process Engineer, you will be most likely responsible for designing processing handling, and packaging equipment and systems. Food Process Engineers have the capabilities to work in a variety of capacities such as managing or supervising other workers, working in technical sales and services, acting as specialized consultants, or marketing food products.
  
  Other duties of Food Process Engineers include:
  
  
  • Providing process engineering knowledge in the development of new food products
  • Creating preliminary items ordering list
  • Testing and troubleshooting equipment and systems
  • Working with other engineers and technicians to determine equipment layout
  • Providing clients or employees with technical support during the implementation phase.

Final thoughts 

Industrial engineers can work in a multitude of sectors. It is quite evident that pursuing a BSC in industrial engineering can open many doors of opportunity. The best way to find out more about this industry is by attending career guidance expos that are often organized by higher institutions of learning such as AUM.