Preparing for a Career in Industrial Engineering

Are you always coming up with new ways of doing things that are faster, safer, more efficient, and less costly than the status quo? If the answer is yes, you're already thinking like an industrial engineer. Simply put, industrial engineers work their magic to boost productivity and quality. This can mean rethinking supermarket checkout lines, teaching workers how to lift heavy objects without injuring themselves, or designing a new distribution center. The real beauty of industrial engineering in the 21st century is that you can essentially work in any field out there, from transportation to health, to manufacturing to entertainment.

How to Prepare for an Industrial Engineering Career
College degrees are the norm in this field. Typically, industrial engineers hold a bachelor's degree in math, science, or engineering from a college with ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accreditation. Many go on to obtain a master of science or PhD in the field, studying topics like systems design, computer simulation, quality management, automation, and production control. If you're already working as an engineer but want to boost your career, online career training that leads to advanced degrees may be a wise option.

What to Expect as an Industrial Engineer
The mean yearly salary for industrial engineers in the United States was $74,750 in May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.