What can you do with a Industrial Engineering degree from Clemson University?

First, some facts. Of the Industrial Engineering graduates from Clemson University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 23 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 69%, Industrial Engineering graduates from Clemson University have a slightly higher likelihood (+2%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 69%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 26% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Industrial Engineering graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Industrial Engineering graduate from Clemson University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 65%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2012 from Clemson University with a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Engineering. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Engineering Project Manager
Walmart
Jun 2012 - May 2015
As Engineering Project Manager at Walmart, some principles of industrial engineering may be applied in project management, but the role does not directly focus on the core skills and knowledge taught in an Industrial Engineering program.

Staff Continuous Improvement Professional
Crayola
May 2015 - Apr 2018
The role of Staff Continuous Improvement Professional at Crayola strongly aligns with the objectives of Industrial Engineering, emphasizing process efficiency and improvement, which are central to the degree.

Director of Business Development
Sunland Logistics Solutions
Apr 2018 - Oct 2023
Although the position of Director of Business Development at Sunland Logistics Solutions may involve operational considerations related to Industrial Engineering, it is primarily focused on business development rather than engineering principles.

Director of SC Logistics
South Carolina Council on Competitiveness
Oct 2023 - Present
The position as Director of SC Logistics at South Carolina Council on Competitiveness extensively utilizes logistics and systems optimization strategies directly linked to Industrial Engineering practices, making it highly relevant.

ABOUT

Supply Chain & Logistics Professional. Passionate about helping create a more competitive economy across South Carolina.

What jobs can you get with a Industrial Engineering degree from Clemson University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the job paths of Clemson University graduates with a degree in Industrial Engineering, you'll notice that some specific patterns emerge. A considerable number of graduates find themselves in positions like Process Improvement Engineers, Continuous Improvement Specialists, and various engineering roles at companies such as General Dynamics and The Home Depot. These jobs heavily lean on the skills acquired during their studies, focusing on optimizing processes, managing projects, and applying industrial engineering principles directly in their daily tasks. So, there’s a solid chunk of graduates who are really using what they learned in school in their jobs.

However, the relevance of these jobs to their degree isn't universally high. While many roles like Process Engineers and Continuous Improvement Professionals are a perfect match for industrial engineering skills, others, like the various merchandising and customer service positions some graduates have taken, are way off the mark. Many graduates shift into roles that don't directly match their academic training, such as project or content management roles that focus more on business development rather than the technical aspects of industrial engineering. So, while a lot of these grads start off strong with relevant positions, some end up a bit scattered across fields that don't fully utilize their engineering background. It's a mixed bag, but it definitely shows the versatility of the degree!

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Industrial Engineering graduates (this is across all Industrial Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Clemson University):

What kind of career trajectories do Industrial Engineering graduates from Clemson University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of Industrial Engineering graduates from Clemson University, it's clear that many have found their way into roles that are quite relevant to their degree. Most of these graduates tend to kick off their careers in engineering positions, often taking on roles like Process Improvement Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, or various engineering analyst positions shortly after graduation. For example, graduates from 2010 and 2011 started as engineers at major firms like Milliken & Company and General Dynamics Electric Boat, paving the way for more advanced roles in their organizations over the years. This early focus on engineering roles typically sets a strong foundation for career growth in the field.

Fast forward five to ten years, and we see many of these graduates moving into leadership or specialized roles. They often climb the ladder to positions such as Engineering Supervisor, Continuous Improvement Manager, or even Director roles within large companies. For instance, a graduate from 2012 transitioned from Engineering Project Manager at Walmart to a Director of Business Development, highlighting how graduates can leverage their skills and experiences to branch out into diverse areas. While there are a few who have taken a more winding path with less directly related positions—like a life coach or customer service roles—overall, many Clemson Industrial Engineering grads have successfully forged careers that are not only stable but also allow for significant growth and responsibility within the field.

How hard is a Industrial Engineering degree from Clemson University?

So, a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, whether at Clemson or elsewhere, can be pretty challenging—definitely more demanding than some other majors, but not the worst out there. You'll be diving into a mix of math, science, and engineering principles, with courses in systems optimization, operations research, and maybe even a bit of programming. If you enjoy problem-solving and are good with numbers, you’ll probably find it manageable, but be prepared for some late nights studying and working on projects. Overall, it's a solid balance; it requires effort, but if you stay on top of your work and don’t procrastinate too much, you can definitely handle it!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 5 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Industrial Engineering.

Do Industrial Engineering graduates from Clemson University tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Clemson University Industrial Engineering grads, it seems like most of them are doing pretty well financially. Many have climbed the ladder quickly, landing roles like Merchant at Home Depot, Senior Engineer at General Dynamics, and even Directors at various companies pretty soon after graduation. Their job titles suggest they're in good positions, often tied to decent salaries in industries that are known for paying well, especially in tech and engineering fields. Sure, some took a bit longer to find their footing or had internships, but given the number of people moving into high-responsibility roles rather quickly, I'd say it's safe to assume they're making decent money overall.

What buzzwords do Industrial Engineering graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Industrial Engineering (this is across all Industrial Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Clemson University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Industrial Engineering?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Industrial Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Industrial Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Iowa State University 88 11
North Carolina State University 87 12
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 87 15
Texas A&M University 83 39
Purdue University 81 36
University of Central Florida 80 23
Georgia Institute of Technology 80 59
Penn State University 79 16
Texas Tech University 79 10
University of Pittsburgh 79 15
University of Washington 78 12
University of Arkansas 78 11
University of Wisconsin-Madison 76 13
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 73 15
West Virginia University 71 19
Clemson University 69 23
University of Florida 64 11