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First, some facts. Of the Industrial Engineering graduates from Purdue 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 36 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 81%, Industrial Engineering graduates from Purdue University have a much higher likelihood (+14%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 25% 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:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from Purdue University with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONResearch Assistant Purdue University Mar 2022 - Jul 2022 Graduate Research Assistant Purdue University Aug 2022 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster's degreeUniversity of Michigan 2020 - 2021 Doctor of Philosophy - PhD Purdue University 2022 - 2026 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the career paths of Purdue University alumni with a degree in Industrial Engineering, you notice a lot of variety in occupations. Many graduates have ventured into roles that directly leverage their education, especially positions like Process Engineers, Industrial Engineers, and various engineering roles in manufacturing and supply chain sectors. Companies like Cummins, UPS, and Caterpillar feature prominently, highlighting a strong trend toward roles focused on process optimization, efficiency, and systems management. It's clear that these positions often utilize the core competencies developed during their studies, reflecting a solid application of the principles of industrial engineering.
However, not all jobs held by these graduates are closely tied to their degree. Some have taken on roles in areas like business consulting, teaching, or even unrelated fields like real estate and bartending. In these cases, while they may use some soft skills acquired in their Industrial Engineering program, the specific technical knowledge is often sidelined. So, while many graduates are indeed applying their industrial engineering skills in their roles, there’s a significant number who have drifted into positions that don't utilize the key engineering concepts they studied. Overall, it seems like a mixed bag—many find relevant jobs, but there's a notable portion that ends up in roles that don't fully capitalize on their education.
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 Purdue University):
Graduates from Purdue University with a degree in Industrial Engineering have generally found themselves on promising career trajectories, often stepping directly into roles that align well with their field. Many of them started in roles that emphasize process optimization, such as engineers or analysts in manufacturing, supply chain, or operations. For example, graduates from around 2010 to 2016 frequently launched their careers in engineering positions at well-known companies like Cummins, United Airlines, and Amazon, reflecting a strong alignment with their industrial engineering background. These initial roles set a solid foundation, as many alumni transitioned into more senior positions within a few years, such as program managers, supervisors, or even senior analysts, indicating a natural progression in their careers.
Looking further down the line, around five to ten years post-graduation, the majority of these individuals have secured roles that not only leverage their engineering skills but also broaden their responsibilities. Positions like project managers, engineering managers, and strategic consultants at reputable firms are common. Some graduates even venture into entrepreneurial paths, illustrating the versatility of an industrial engineering degree. While there are a few outliers who diverted from traditional engineering roles, the overall picture shows that Purdue Industrial Engineering graduates have mostly found successful careers that are quite relevant to their education. In essence, if you're considering this degree, it looks like a solid choice for a bright future!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, especially at a well-known school like Purdue, can be pretty challenging. It involves a lot of math, statistics, and problem-solving, which can feel overwhelming if you’re not super into those subjects. The coursework often combines theoretical concepts with practical applications, so you’re not just memorizing facts—you’re really learning how to think critically and tackle real-world issues. That said, if you’re willing to put in the effort and stay organized, you can definitely handle it. Overall, it’s considered a rigorous program, maybe a bit tougher than certain other degrees, but if you’re passionate about it, the hard work can definitely pay off.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Industrial Engineering.
Looking at these Purdue University Industrial Engineering grads, it seems like they’re mostly making decent money! A lot of them have worked their way up the corporate ladder at companies like Amazon and Cummins, and some are even managing teams or have landed roles in engineering leadership. The engineering and tech jobs tend to pay well right off the bat, and positions in the Navy also provide solid compensation and benefits. While starting positions might not be as high-paying, it’s clear many have transitioned into roles that offer better salaries over time. Overall, they seem to be doing pretty well for themselves, especially considering they graduated in a field known for good earning potential.
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 Purdue University). This may or may not be useful:
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 |