An industrial technology degree can open the door to a number of exciting fields, including medicine, construction, and government. The technical, scientific, and managerial skills you’ll learn in programs like The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology are universally sought after, which gives students the freedom to choose from a wide range of jobs, from entry level to management. Although we couldn’t possibly list every answer to the question “what can I do with an industrial technology degree?” we’ve focused on five of the most rewarding jobs for industrial technology graduates below.

1.    Industrial Production Manager

Industrial production managers typically oversee the daily operations of manufacturing plants while evaluating processes to make them faster, simpler, and more efficient. As the job title implies, industrial production managers are in charge of hiring, training, and overseeing team members, each with their own unique perspective and experience level. Industrial production managers may also be tasked with:

  • Finding the best way to meet production goals.
  • Keeping workers safe and productive.
  • Staying on schedule and on budget.

In order to manage people and processes, industrial project managers must be trained in project management, managing technology, and human resource management—all areas covered in UT Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the valuable soft and hard skills industrial project managers bring to their organizations nets them an average annual salary of $105,480, which means the only thing standing between you and a six-figure salary is a bachelor’s degree. 

2.    Industrial Engineer

Industrial engineers are also agents of change who reduce waste and make processes more efficient. However, industrial engineers take a more direct approach than their managerial counterparts. From development to delivery, they are involved in all stages of production. An industrial engineer might be behind a desk one day and on the production floor observing plant operations the next. As an industrial engineer, your job duties might include:

  • Developing management control systems.
  • Devising ways to make processes more efficient.
  • Ensuring that quality standards are met.

In order to excel in this role, industrial engineers must have a working knowledge of engineering principles as well as a familiarity with computer-aided drafting (CAD) software. In our online Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program, you’ll receive ample training in both areas. Our course in Supply Chain Management will teach you how to reduce the time required to design, process, and deliver products, and our course in Engineering Graphics provides an essential introduction to CAD software.

Due to their value and versatility, industrial engineers make an average annual salary of about $80,000, and the projected growth rate for this position is higher than the average for all U.S. occupations. However, a high salary and favorable job outlook aren’t the only things to look forward to. Engineers have been found to have the happiest job in the world. Few other careers offer individuals the chance to learn new skills daily, exert creative freedom, and help shape the future of their industry. If you live to see the fruits of your mathematically precise labor, this may be the career for you.  

3.    Quality Engineer

Being an engineer doesn’t mean you’ll be alone in your pursuit of perfection. Quality engineers work in tandem with a quality team to ensure that tools, materials, products, and processes meet quality standards. You must also be able to communicate with suppliers, customers, and employees to identify and mitigate issues with manufactured products. Additional work duties include:

  • Creating and implementing quality standards.
  • Ensuring all processes comply with safety regulations.
  • Inspecting and testing products.
  • Monitoring and improving production processes.

At UT Permian Basin, our online Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program provides students with the precise skillset needed to thrive in this position. Courses like Total Quality Management cover the principles of quality management, and our capstone course (ITEC 4392–Internship) provides the field experience you’ll need to stand out in this competitive market. If you’re someone who takes pride in their work, consider this high-paying career. 

4.    Health and Safety Engineer

The designs and processes perfected by engineers help change people’s lives for the better. This is abundantly apparent in the work performed by health and safety engineers. These engineers use their education and experience to design systems that protect workers from injury and illness. As a health and safety engineer, you may one day:

  • Conduct inspections for safety hazards.
  • Ensure compliance with safety regulations.
  • Ensure correct installation and use of safety devices.
  • Investigate industrial accidents.

In our online Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program, classes like Safety, Health, and the Environment prepare students for this indispensable profession by teaching them safe work practices, recognition and elimination of health hazards, emergency treatment for industrial accidents, and other vital safety subjects. This highly rewarding role also offers benefits beyond altruism—health and safety engineers made a median annual salary of $91,410 in 2019.

5.    Consulting Engineer

All of the industrial technology jobs on this list offer the chance to improve individual workplaces, but consulting engineers are also given the unique opportunity to benefit society at large. As a consulting engineer, you’ll maintain your independence while providing expertise on civil, environmental, industrial, mechanical, electrical, and structural projects—all vital parts of our nation’s infrastructure.

As a consulting engineer, you’ll be the requisite problem solver who helps oversee a project from its earliest stages or who swoops in at the final phase to save the day. Where others see a great expanse, you see a bridge. Additional job duties may include:

  • Coordinating project efforts across multiple teams.
  • Designing within a specified budget. 
  • Outlining material requirements and system functions.

Depending on the career path you take, you can either specialize in a single area of industrial technology or provide a wide range of technical, scientific, and managerial expertise. For their in-demand contributions, consulting engineers make an average annual salary of $97,362.

If you’re interested in any of the careers on this list, we encourage you to consider earning a degree in industrial technology at UT Permian Basin. With our program’s 100% online format and six start dates a year, the path to becoming an industrial technology professional has never been clearer.

Learn more about UT Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program.

Sources:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/industrial-production-managers.htm#tab-3
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/industrial-engineers.htm#tab-3
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/health-and-safety-engineers.htm#tab-1