Bachelor of Science [B.S] [Industrial Engineering] From West Virginia University

An industrial engineer looks at the "big picture" of what makes society perform best - the right combination of human resources, natural resources, and man-made structures and equipment. Professionals in this field bridge the gap between management and operations, motivating people in addition to determining what equipment, computers, etc., should be used and how they should be used.

Industrial engineers work to find the most efficient processes for production and services. They analyze how humans, natural resources, machines, equipment, information, and energy interact with each other in daily operations. Industrial engineers use both observation and data to optimize productivity and quality and need a wide range of knowledge and skills to be able to work with both people and systems. These skills can be seen in the experience of our recent graduates, who have found an array of opportunities in the marketplace. Though industrial engineers have historically been employed in manufacturing, recent graduates have seen an increased demand in the service sector as well.

Our recent graduates have found a broad array of opportunities in the marketplace. Traditionally, most industrial engineers started their careers in manufacturing facilities, but this trend has been changing. Today about half of our graduates are employed in the service sector while the other half begin their careers in manufacturing.