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

First, some facts. Of the Industrial Engineering graduates from University of Pittsburgh 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 15 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 79%, Industrial Engineering graduates from University of Pittsburgh have a much higher likelihood (+12%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 79%
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 University of Pittsburgh and our analysis:


Relevance score: 39%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2012 from University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Manufacturing Engineer
Eaton Corporation
Jul 2012 - Jan 2014
The position of Manufacturing Engineer at Eaton Corporation requires specific engineering skills and knowledge that are directly related to the individual's degree in Industrial Engineering.

Industrial Engineer, Ahold USA
Ahold Delhaize
Jan 2014 - Jun 2015
As an Industrial Engineer at Ahold USA, the role utilizes fundamental concepts and techniques learned during the Bachelor's program, making it highly relevant.

Program Manager, Optimization, Ahold USA
Ahold Delhaize
Jun 2015 - Dec 2017
The role of Program Manager in Optimization likely requires some engineering knowledge for process improvement, but is more focused on project and program management than core engineering skills directly obtained from the degree.

Program Manager, Innovation & Strategic Initiatives
The GIANT Company
Jan 2018 - Apr 2019
The position as Program Manager for Innovation & Strategic Initiatives may involve applying analytical skills and understanding of systems, but does not primarily focus on the industrial engineering core qualifications directly.

IT Product Manager & Business Consultant
Ahold Delhaize USA
Apr 2019 - Present
The role of IT Product Manager & Business Consultant at Ahold Delhaize USA focuses primarily on product management and IT consulting, which do not substantially utilize the skills and knowledge gained from a Bachelor's in Industrial Engineering.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Business Administration - MBA
Saint Joseph's University - Erivan K. Haub School of Business
2015 - 2018
ABOUT

Experienced Project, Portfolio & Program Manager with a demonstrated history of innovation and industry leading projects in retail including large scale technology rollouts and engineering capital projects. Currently leading our Omni-Channel Customer Service program in the IT portfolio for implementing Salesforce and conversational AI. Also led one of the largest implementations in the world of autonomous Robots in retail for Giant Company several years back with Marty the robot (was the program lead and helped contribute to design, implementation and strategic planning). Strong business development professional with an MBA focused in Marketing from Saint Joseph's University as well as a Bachelor's in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. Expertise in project and program management end to end, portfolio budgeting, engineering initiatives (mechanical and software) and business case narratives.

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

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


From analyzing the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from the University of Pittsburgh with degrees in Industrial Engineering, it seems like a lot of them have landed roles that are pretty relevant to their field. Many have taken up positions in companies where they apply industrial engineering principles, like optimization, supply chain management, and process improvement. For example, numerous graduates have worked at FedEx Ground or Estee Lauder, where their jobs as Industrial Engineers or within supply chain roles really align with the skills acquired during their studies. It’s clear that positions involving operations engineering, supply chain management, and industrial engineering consulting are popular pathways for these grads.

However, it's interesting to note that not every job closely connects to industrial engineering. Some have ventured into roles like teaching or project management that don't heavily rely on their engineering expertise. For instance, those who became science teachers or business owners aren't putting their specialized skills to full use day-to-day. Overall, while many industrial engineering graduates have taken up roles that are highly relevant to their degree, there's also a noticeable mix of career paths where the connection to industrial engineering isn't as strong. So, it’s definitely a mix of staying in the engineering realm and exploring other interests!

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 University of Pittsburgh):

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

Graduates with a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh generally find themselves on quite promising career paths. Most of them start off with solid roles related to industrial engineering shortly after graduation, like working as industrial engineers, operations engineers, or consultants in major companies such as FedEx Ground, Estee Lauder, and Nike. It’s not uncommon for them to transition into management or specialized roles within a few years, indicating that they are moving up the ladder in their respective fields. For example, one graduate went from being an Industrial Engineer at FedEx Ground to a Special Projects Manager; others have climbed to director-level positions quite rapidly.

As they progress five to ten years out, many of these individuals seem to stay relevant in sectors associated with industrial engineering and supply chain management. This is evidenced by their various titles evolving from engineering roles to management positions, which highlights a natural growth into leadership and strategic roles within companies. Some have even transitioned into different areas like project management, indicating versatility in their skills. While there are a few outliers who have taken paths less directly related to industrial engineering, such as moving into teaching or starting their own businesses, the majority appear to be doing well within their field, suggesting that a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh is generally a strong foundation for a successful career. Overall, it paints a picture of graduates who are not just employed, but thriving in roles that utilize their education effectively.

How hard is a Industrial Engineering degree from University of Pittsburgh?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering can be pretty challenging, but it’s not impossibly hard. At the University of Pittsburgh, you’re looking at a mix of math, engineering concepts, and some business classes, which means you’ll need to be comfortable with numbers and problem-solving. Some students might find the workload manageable, especially if they like the subjects, while others might struggle a bit more, especially with things like statistics and optimization. It's definitely more rigorous than some majors, but it’s also not the most hardcore engineering path out there. If you're committed and willing to put in the work, you can totally handle it!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Industrial Engineering.

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

Looking at the job paths of these Industrial Engineering graduates from the University of Pittsburgh, it seems like there’s a pretty wide range in how much they’re making. The ones who landed in management positions at big companies like Estee Lauder and Nike definitely seem to be raking in some decent salaries, probably well over six figures, especially considering their career progression to director and senior manager roles. On the other hand, some graduates who switched fields, like the ones teaching middle school or starting small businesses, likely aren’t making quite as much, especially in the early stages of their careers. Overall, if you're aiming for the higher end of the pay scale, sticking with engineering roles in big companies looks like a solid plan!

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 University of Pittsburgh). 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