What can you do with a Industrial Management degree?

First, some facts. Of the Industrial Management graduates 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 106 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 71%, Industrial Management graduates have a slightly higher likelihood (+4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 71%
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 27% 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 Management graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Industrial Management graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 37%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2021 from Missouri University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Industrial Management. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Project Engineer
Musick Construction
Jun 2021 - Mar 2023
As a Project Engineer, some project management and engineering principles may relate indirectly to industrial management, but the role primarily focuses on construction tasks that do not directly align with industrial management skills.

Validation and Test Engineer
CoreLink Surgical
Mar 2023 - Jun 2023
The position of Validation and Test Engineer directly applies principles of industrial management, including process evaluation and efficiency, as well as technical skills that are relevant to the field.

Self Employed
Self-employed
May 2023 - Present
Being self-employed does not provide enough information to determine relevance to industrial management, and without specific details, it is difficult to ascertain the applicability of the skills used.

Apprentice Carpenter
Liston Design Build
Nov 2023 - Present
The role of an Apprentice Carpenter may utilize some skills related to project management and basic organizational skills, but it does not directly leverage the core qualifications obtained from an industrial management degree.

ABOUT

I have a strong passion for solving complex problems with creative solutions. As a fifth year student at Missouri S&T, I have participated in a variety of extracurricular activities including the manufacturing of carbon fiber on the Formula SAE team. I have also been involved in the project planning of a weather system installation at the Salem, MO Regional Airport.

What jobs can you get with a Industrial Management degree?

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


When you look at the list of jobs held by individuals with a degree in Industrial Management, a few common themes emerge. Many graduates find themselves in roles related to management, engineering, project oversight, or operational efficiency. Positions like Manufacturing Engineer, Project Manager, and Operations Manager frequently show up, which makes sense given that the core skills developed in Industrial Management are all about optimizing processes and effectively leading teams. This is especially evident in industries like logistics, manufacturing, and energy, where operational effectiveness is paramount.

However, not all the roles listed are strongly connected to the skills taught in Industrial Management. For example, some graduates end up in positions like Autocad Technicians or in more technical roles that don’t necessarily utilize the management principles they studied. While some of these jobs may involve organizational skills, they often lack the strategic management focus that characterizes industrial management roles. Likewise, graduates in fields like the military or certain technical areas sometimes find themselves performing tasks that emphasize tactical skills or specialized engineering, diverging from the broad management competencies they were trained in.

Overall, it seems that while many individuals have successfully leveraged their Industrial Management education into relevant and applicable jobs, there are also noticeable outliers that suggest a less direct connection. It’s clear that the most common trajectories lead toward roles that best utilize the analytical, leadership, and operational capabilities fostered in their degree programs, yet job market realities can sometimes steer them into positions that don’t fully reflect the range of skills they possess. Thus, while there’s a strong relevance evident in many cases, a fair number of roles still veer away from the core tenets of Industrial Management.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Industrial Management graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Industrial Management graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When we look at graduates with degrees in Industrial Management, we can see a variety of career trajectories that generally start off strong and tend to align with industries related to their studies. Many graduates from various universities have landed their first jobs in positions that utilize their technical and managerial skills right after graduation. For instance, someone from Arizona State University, who graduated in 2016, began as a Regional Solar O&M Manager and steadily climbed the ranks in the renewable energy sector. Similarly, a graduate from Stevens Institute of Technology transitioned through multiple roles at UPS, showcasing a promising career path within a well-known company.

As we move further out in time, say five or ten years post-graduation, we begin to see a consistent pattern: many of these individuals are holding advanced positions often tied to project management, engineering roles, or specialized consulting jobs. For example, graduates from Missouri University of Science and Technology often find themselves progressing to managerial or lead positions within their companies. The military academy graduates also illustrate a unique trajectory; they often continue their journey in the armed forces, taking up advanced roles in logistics or operations, and some later transition into civilian roles leveraging their leadership skills. However, there are also some cases where graduates end up in positions that are less directly related to their field of study, but this seems to be the exception rather than the rule.

In terms of overall success, graduates of Industrial Management generally seem to be faring well. Most begin in roles that utilize the skills they've developed during their education and advance into higher responsibilities that match their ambitions. While some may deviate into unrelated fields, the majority find their footing in roles that reflect their degree's essence—managing processes, improving operational efficiency, or leading teams in industrial settings. So, if you’re considering a degree in this area, it looks promising with plenty of pathways to navigate as you build your career.

How hard is a Industrial Management degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management can be on the easier side compared to some other engineering or tech-focused degrees. It typically combines business principles with some technical stuff, like operations and systems, so if you’re good with numbers and enjoy problem-solving, you'll likely find it manageable. That said, it still requires dedication and some hard work, especially if you want to grasp all the concepts well. There are definitely challenging courses, but overall, the workload is usually balanced out with projects and group work, making it a pretty chill experience if you stay organized and keep up with your studies.

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 Management.

Do Industrial Management graduates tend to make good money?

To put it simply, graduates like the one from Arizona State University who became a Senior Director at Miller Brother Solar after a series of leadership roles in renewable energy are likely earning a substantial salary. Positions in the energy sector, especially at senior director levels, typically come with a hefty paycheck, which suggests they’ve made good financial strides since college. On the other hand, a recent grad from Ulster University working as an Assistant Project Manager might still be on the lower end of the salary scale, given that entry-level positions hardly break the bank. Overall, it seems like many of these grads have found decent opportunities but the earnings can drastically vary based on the job and industry.

Some of the older graduates, particularly those who have moved into manager or director roles, are likely enjoying good incomes. For example, the engineering graduates from Missouri University of Science and Technology who have climbed the ranks to managerial positions at significant companies like Emerson almost certainly have a solid financial cushion. But then, there are graduates like those from St. Mary's University who appear to be stuck in lower-paying or freelance roles as drafters and technicians, which might not set them up for financial success. So, in a nutshell, while many grads are doing well, others are still working towards that financial stability, making it a mixed bag overall.

What buzzwords do Industrial Management 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 Management. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Industrial Management?

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

College Score Count
Missouri University of Science and Technology 83 10