To work as an industrial engineer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering; and
• have a license.

Education after high school

Most students prepare for this field by earning a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering. Many four-year colleges and universities offer this program of study. You may need between four and five years to complete this program.

Some jobs require a master's or doctoral degree (PhD). For instance, if you are interested in teaching industrial engineering, you need a PhD. Also, many engineers go to graduate school to specialize in an area of industrial engineering.

In a typical four-year program, courses include math, basic science, introductory engineering, and social science. You may also study financial engineering, capital budgeting, and safety management. Additional courses include queuing systems and facility planning.

Work experience

You should consider participating in an internship with a manufacturing firm while in college. An internship is usually part of a four-year degree program. It offers you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a work situation. It also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field.

On-the-job training

In general, industrial engineers receive on-the-job training. The length of training varies by employer. Some provide up to three months of training and others offer up to two years. Recent graduates work under the guidance of experienced engineers. In large companies, you may also receive formal classroom training. As you gain knowledge and experience you have greater independence and work on more difficult tasks.

Military training

The military does not provide initial training in this field. However, the military may provide work experience to industrial engineering graduates.