Industrial engineers are experts in the efficient use of personnel, materials
and machines in a variety of different industries. This involves overseeing
quality control, plant layout, materials handling, inventory control, cost
estimating and personnel supervision.
Technicians, meanwhile, are involved in the more hands-on side of the work.
This can mean installing manufacturing equipment or maintaining industrial
equipment at a food processing plant. It may also mean working with computer-aided
drawing programs, or assisting scientists in their research.
"The way that our manufacturing sector and our construction sector is
geared, everybody doesn't have to be an engineer, " says Chris Blackwood,
an engineering technician instructor.
"Everybody has their role," says Blackwood. "We have the laborers and the
tradesmen, we have the technicians and the technologists and the engineers
and the architects, and there's a place for everybody."
Industrial engineering technicians work in a wide range of industries,
such as car manufacturing, food processing, communications, entertainment,
finance, pharmaceuticals, sports and travel. They also work for institutions
such as hospitals and schools.
"They do a wide range of things that could be related to automating or
making a process more effective or efficient, designing new processes including
equipment, facilities and people needed to do the job," says Charles Joyner.
Joyner is a registrar at an association for technologists and technicians.
"There are so many branches that they can go into," says James Standing,
an engineering technician instructor. "They can go in all kinds of different
directions, but the bottom line is that you're looking at an environment that's
mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic."
In the automotive industry, technicians might repair automated machinery
or help install new equipment. When somebody needs a new turbine at a plant,
a technician is sent along to help set it up. In a hospital or school, technicians
may be involved in setting up new workstations and regrouping personnel according
to the engineer's instructions.
Some technicians work for engineering consultants who take contract work.
Wherever an industrial engineer or technician works, it likely involves working
a lot with people.
"Many of our students choose industrial engineering because they like that
people oriented aspect of it," says Charlene Yauch, director of the industrial
engineering program at the Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Robert Deeks is a professor in mechanical programs at a college. He says
that once his students' careers have begun there are lots of options open
to them.
"Many move into supervisory positions in maintenance departments, some
move into engineering departments, some to sales, technical support in installations,"
he says.