Industrial technology is used daily in business to streamline and accelerate production and increase productivity, profitability, and safety. The ongoing need to find better, faster, and cleaner ways of manufacturing and using products drives constant technical innovation, and the results can benefit both businesses and their customers. 

Examples Of Industrial Technology Innovation 
“Innovation” refers both to the creation of new technologies and to their adaptation for use in a variety of industries, with the end goal of making people’s lives easier and, as you’ll see, potentially saving their lives. Let’s take a look at some technological innovations that have helped both businesses and consumers. 

Robotics 
Robots are not a new manufacturing tool. In fact, they’ve been used on automobile assembly lines for more than 50 years. These are not the walking, talking robots depicted in science fiction movies, but rather robotic arms that can easily move heavy components into place or apply paint and adhesives to a vehicle without suffering any effects of toxic fumes. The automotive industry has provided a testing ground for the widespread use of robotics in manufacturing, paving the way for its use across other business sectors.  

Dental surgery is another area in which robot technology is becoming essential. Some dentists are now placing dental implants with a robot arm fitted with dental tools. This arm guides the dentist’s hand, surgically inserting the implant with great precision and making it nearly impossible for the dentist to perform the procedure incorrectly. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) 
One particular class of robots, referred to as “smart robots,” do not merely perform as programmed but can learn and implement new tasks on their own. In business, they’re being used to increase efficiency in numerous ways. For example, when live customer service representatives are busy, chatbots—those little question boxes that pop up on websites and introduce themselves with a human name before offering assistance—can fill in the gap. Self-driving cars, self-parking cars, and robot vacuum cleaners all use artificial intelligence to add convenience to our daily lives. 

Clean Technology 
Clean technology, sometimes called cleantech, is a “set of technologies that either reduce or optimize the use of natural resources, whilst simultaneously reducing the negative effect that technology has on the planet and its ecosystems.” The push for companies to operate in an environmentally responsible manner and make clean products available to consumers catalyzed the development of the electric car, low-flow toilets, water filtration systems, solar panels, and wind turbines. 

The Internet of Things 
The Internet of Things (IoT) typically refers to physical devices and appliances that are “able to collect and exchange data using embedded sensors.” These fall outside the realm of devices traditionally created with such functionality, such as smartphones and computers. The voice-enabled Alexa, which allows users to access information and entertainment through simple verbal commands, is one consumer-based example. While convenience is an advantage all users can appreciate, Alexa users who are blind or suffer from mobility issues enjoy especially significant benefits from such technology.  

A growing number of manufacturing companies are making an investment in IoT, which has been referred to as “the pipeline connecting and collecting mountains of data from an entire spectrum of equipment and devices.” According to one estimate, 81% of industrial manufacturers are using Internet of Things technology to boost their operational efficiency. 

Additive Manufacturing 
Additive manufacturing, more commonly referred to as 3D printing, has been around since the 1980s, but its potential has increased a thousandfold over the decades. 3D printers are now available to consumers, who can make items such as cell phone holders on their own at home. But the impact on business has been more dramatic. This technology enables mass-produced items to get to market quicker and at a lower cost. Additive manufacturing is already being used to create prosthetic limbs, dental crowns, and more, and it has the potential to create human organs for people who need transplants. According to GlobalData, industry will invest more than $20 billion into 3D printing by 2025. 

Wearable Technology 
Popular in the video gaming world for years, virtual reality headsets are now helping businesses in many ways. Car manufacturers can create 360-degree virtual views of prototype vehicles from design specs before beginning the expensive and lengthy process of developing a physical prototype. Virtual and augmented reality software enables surgeons to perform complex procedures on virtual patients first, improving hospital efficiency and patient outcomes. Health-conscious consumers can wear a Fitbit on their wrist to track the distance they’ve traveled in a given time frame. 

Online Industrial Technology Degree Programs 

Help lay the path for future innovations that can forever change the way business works and consumers live their lives. The right training and credentials can help position you for a rewarding industrial technology role within a variety of industries. The University of Texas Permian Basin offers online bachelor’s degrees that will be invaluable in your career: 

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology  
Prepare to manage industrial operations within any organization. 

Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Industrial Technology 
Expand your expertise in management concepts including optimization theory and supply chain management. This program can benefit AAS-degree holders seeking to advance their careers to include managerial roles. Add an online undergraduate certificate in petroleum technology to enhance your expertise in the energy industry. 

Convenient Virtual Classroom  
All courses for two degree programs are presented in an asynchronous, 100% online format, offering you tremendous flexibility. Complete your coursework at your own pace, from any location, while giving your professional and personal obligations the attention they need. Most program courses last just eight weeks, and you’ll learn from the same distinguished professors who teach the courses on campus at UT Permian Basin.  

Explore industrial technology and acquire the skills needed to succeed in a variety of careers with a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from UT Permian Basin. 

Sources: 

https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/smart-robot
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/chatbot.asp
https://3dinsider.com/3d-printing-history/
https://virtualspeech.com/blog/vr-applications

Industrial technology graduates have a tendency to land on their feet. Entry-level workers with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology can find numerous entry-level industrial technology jobs with salaries of at least $50,000, while graduates who become licensed or certified in their field can go on to enjoy even more opportunities. Industrial technologists are well compensated for their skills, but just how positive is the job outlook for industrial technology majors?

Salaries and Job Outlook for the Most Popular Industrial Technology Careers 

“Industrial technologist” is a catchall term that encapsulates plant managers, industrial designers, technology analysts, and other positions centered around productivity. In general, the job outlook for this group of professionals is bright. As industries increasingly rely on technology and automation, tech-savvy problem-solvers will remain in high demand. For a clearer look at the outlook of your potential career, let’s take a look at the job outlooks for some of the most popular industrial technology job titles.

Industrial Engineers

Industrial engineers apply the lessons in productivity taught by UT Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program directly to their positions. Specifically, they ensure that people, processes, and machinery work together in harmony to deliver a product or service. There were 284,600 industrial engineering jobs in the United States in 2018, and there will soon be many more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), industrial engineering positions are expected to grow by over 8% over the next decade. For their cost- and time-saving talents, industrial engineers can expect an average annual salary of about $80,000.

Cost Estimators

Cost estimators estimate the money, materials, and manpower needed to complete a project. Although this skill proves valuable in manufacturing industries, cost estimators are most often employed in construction, an industry known for slim profit margins and a need for efficiency. Cost estimators make about $65,000 a year, but those in the top 10% can earn over $111,000. There were 217,400 cost estimator jobs in the United States in 2018, but don’t expect that number to stagnate. BLS reports that employment prospects for cost estimators are expected to grow by 9% over the next decade. 18,700 additional cost estimators will be employed by 2028. Will you be one of them?

Industrial Production Managers

Industrial production managers oversee the day-to-day operations of manufacturing plants and hold one of the highest-paid positions a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology graduate can obtain, with the top 10% earning over $176,000 a year. There were 186,500 industrial production manager jobs in the United States in 2018. Employment for this position is expected to grow over the next decade, but only marginally, so competition will remain fierce. You’ll need experience and education to stand out from the crowd in a field like this, which is why earning your Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology is so important.

Choose From a Number of Exciting Career Fields

Industrial technologists are employed in a wide range of fields. So many, in fact, that you’ll likely have your choice of professional settings when you pursue your new career. There will always be a home for industrial technology graduates in manufacturing industries, but hospitals, engineering firms, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies have also been known to hire industrial technologists. The Boeing Company, for example, is one of the most popular employers of industrial technology majors and offers salaries ranging from $88,000-$128,000.

Using the careers listed above as examples, we know that cost estimators most often end up employed in the construction industry, and industrial engineers have a bit more freedom thanks to their versatile skill set. As a graduate of UT Permian Basin’s Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program, you’ll be ready for opportunities in any number of exciting industries, including utility, transportation, food processing, and computer and electronic product manufacturing. Industrial engineers also offer professional, scientific, and technical services, which means you could one day be earning a six-figure industrial technology salary as a consultant.

Industrial production managers, although more closely tied to manufacturing industries, still have an incredible amount of freedom when it comes to choosing where to work. According to the BLS, industrial production managers worked in the following top industries:

  • Chemical manufacturing
  • Transportation equipment manufacturing
  • Machinery manufacturing
  • Food manufacturing
  • Fabricated metal product manufacturing

The job outlook for industrial technology majors is promising, but we’ve yet to discuss an even more important career outlook: your own.

The Start of Your Career Path

As an industrial technology graduate, you’ll have a skill set that will serve you well no matter what industry you end up in. Furthermore, once employed, there’s nothing stopping you from moving from one industry to another as opportunities present themselves. The career path you take may be linear, or it may be winding, with numerous rewarding detours. No matter where successful industrial technologists end up on their career path, their start is the same: a reputable degree in industrial technology.

A Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from UT Permian Basin can prepare you for a rewarding career as an industrial technologist by providing the technical and scientific skills needed to thrive in your chosen profession. UT Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program can teach you how to:

  • Use computer-aided drafting (CAD) software: a necessary skill for cost estimators.
  • Develop integrative systems for industrial and commercial establishments.
  • Manage project constraints, such as time, money, and resources.

Our program will also teach you the fundamental concepts of management, including principles of administration, leadership, and decision making. Flexible 8-week courses are offered in a 100% online format with six start dates a year. Tuition can be paid by the course, and financial aid is available. Visit our program page to request more information.

You Get What You Give

Professionals educated in the use of engineering and manufacturing technology are highly sought after and will remain so for years to come. They continue to report high job satisfaction and populate some of the top-paying jobs in their industries. These benefits, however, are exactly what makes industrial technology such a competitive industry. You get out what you put in, and only professionals with the right levels of education, experience, and work ethic will earn those high-paying, rewarding positions. If you’re ready to start on this career path and see where your hard work takes you, apply for UT Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program. Your career outlook is as bright as you make it.

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

Sources:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/industrial-engineers.htm#tab-3
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/industrial-production-managers.htm#tab-6
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/cost-estimators.htm#tab-4
https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Bachelor_of_Science_(BS_%2F_BSc)%2C_Industrial_Technology_(IT)/Salary#_blank

What is a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology? A Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology is an undergraduate degree awarded to students who have completed coursework in industrial technology. This degree prepares students for careers as industrial technologists: professionals who strive to improve productivity, profitability, and safety. Graduates go on to enjoy lucrative, satisfying careers in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, engineering, construction, and healthcare.

The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program provides the technical and leadership skills needed to thrive in entry-level and management industrial technology positions. Our program is 100% online and can be completed at your own pace. Let’s take a closer look at UT Permian Basin’s take on the industrial technology degree.

UT Permian Basin’s Online Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology Program

A Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology is a prestigious award given to students who have worked diligently to expand their knowledge of engineering and manufacturing processes, but it’s more than that. It’s a declaration that an individual has the drive, knowledge, and experience needed for engineering and management positions, and employers will take notice. This versatile degree can open doors to numerous career opportunities, but students interested in earning a diploma in industrial technology are naturally going to want to know more about their potential major.

Many students ask, “Is an industrial technology an engineering degree?” The short answer is no. Our online Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program is offered by the College of Business and is one of a select group of programs in the nation accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Industrial technology degrees are, however, incredibly versatile and can lead to an exciting career in engineering if you so desire.

UT Permian Basin’s online program takes 120 credit hours to complete, including 38 credit hours of industrial technology core courses, 37 credit hours of electives, and a 3 credit hour internship. Students in our program are taught:

  • Engineering and manufacturing principles
  • Creativity and problem solving
  • Oral and written communication
  • Management concepts

What is an industrial technology course? Core courses like Engineering Graphics, Computers & Problem Solving, and Principles of Statistics provide the technical skills you’ll need in virtually any industrial technology job. The use of computer-aided drafting (CAD) software is a particularly useful skill we teach. Furthermore, courses like Project Management, Management Concepts and Organizational Theory, and Human Resource Management provide the soft skills you’ll need for leadership roles.

Flexible Coursework

Unlike a traditional four-year degree, you can earn this industrial technology degree on your own time. Many students in our program have established careers they would like to advance within and are looking for a program that can adapt to their work schedule. Rest assured, our program is 100% online and utilizes a flexible 8-week course model. As long as you have a Wi-Fi connection, a seat somewhere cozy, and a warm cup of coffee (or tea!), you can complete our program at your leisure.

Admissions

Transfer students (students with 24 credit hours or more from regionally accredited colleges or universities) can transfer up to 90 credit hours towards an industrial technology degree. In addition to submitting student records, freshman and transfer students must:

  • Have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average or better.
  • Be in good academic and disciplinary standing with previously attended colleges or universities.

Even if you don’t meet the minimum grade point average required for the program, you can still be conditionally admitted to UT Permian Basin so long as you complete 30 credit hours while keeping at least a 2.0 grade point average. At UT Permian Basin, we believe a low GPA shouldn’t automatically bar you from a first-rate education.

What Can I Do With a Diploma in Industrial Technology?

What you decide to do with your degree will ultimately be up to you, as there are few industries untouched by engineering or manufacturing. Many industrial technologists find lucrative careers in the manufacturing industry, where a talent for improving production processes is often rewarded with a six-figure salary. However, many graduates have gone on to industrial technology careers relating to healthcare, construction, and even government.

Shape Your Own Education

With UT Permian Basin, you can shape your own education and, therefore, your own career path when you choose from elective courses within our industrial technology major. For example, students hoping to pursue a career in petroleum technology can take:

  • Petroleum Fundamentals
  • Petroleum Fluids and Natural Gas Technology
  • Drilling Technology
  • Enhanced Oil Recovery
  • Well Stimulation
  • Petroleum Production Technology
  • Pipeline Technology
  • Wireline, Mud Logging and Core Analysis
  • Petroleum Reservoirs

Students interested in manufacturing can take Manufacturing Technology, a survey of manufacturing processes for metals and polymers. Construction Technology is another specialized course for students who may already have an idea of where they want to land after graduating. Industrial technologists come from all walks of life, and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology can lead to a career path as diverse as their backgrounds, skillsets, and aspirations.

A Bachelor’s Degree Is Within Reach

Many graduates of our online Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology program started where you are right now—wondering if an undergraduate degree is worth the investment—but that’s exactly what a degree is: an investment in your future. Upon completion of our program, you’ll have a firm grasp on the fundamentals of computer graphics, management concepts, project constraints, and manufacturing and engineering technology. Pursue an industrial technology career with confidence knowing that you have what it takes to compete for and get your dream job.

UT Permian Basin’s 100% online program can be completed on your schedule, at your own pace. Our program is formatted with flexible 8-week courses, and there are six start dates a year for you to choose from. Whether you’ve yet to find a preferred industry or you’re in a position with the potential for advancement, our program is the best way to continue your education while keeping up with your personal and professional responsibilities. 

What is an industrial technology bachelor’s degree? It’s a prestigious degree that proves your knowledge of manufacturing, engineering, and management principles and best practices. It’s a degree that can be earned online and at your leisure. Most importantly, it’s an investment in your future.

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

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