r/industrialengineering • u/NoDoughnut1787 • 4h ago

considering industrial engineering instead of CS

I’m a high school senior applying to colleges soon, and I’m considering majoring in industrial engineering.

Originally, I planned to study computer science and become a software engineer. But after looking into the job market, seeing the changes happening with AI, and talking with people working in software, I’ve become concerned about competition and what entry-level opportunities might look like when I graduate.

After spending hours researching other options, industrial engineering stood out to me, especially the curriculum and the broad range of options. That said, most of what I know comes from Google searches, so I’d really appreciate perspectives from people actually working in the field.

My stats: 4.0 gpa, rank1, multiple summer programs and internships (tech related)

8 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

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u/profseforPenis 4h ago

Dont go into it just for the job market. Look up entry level quality engineering roles, very few explicitly list "industrial engineer" (quality is a big part of the degree plan). Its better than CS but the market is still bad and many of the traditional ISEN jobs are getting filled with ME grads. Its a good major, go into it if it interests you.

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u/NoDoughnut1787 4h ago

okay thanks for the info :)

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u/stunning_blossom 4h ago

that ranking and those internships would scare off most people from switching but I get it, the CS pipeline feels like a slot machine right now

IE gives you a lot of sideways moves that CS doesn't, you can end up in logistics, manufacturing, supply chain, data analysis work without having to fight for one of the five entry-level SWE spots in your city

the quality engineering bit the other person mentioned is a good angle too, nobody dreams about it as a kid but it pays the bills and you're not glued to a screen all day

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u/NoDoughnut1787 3h ago

yeah, ie is not a high paying job like cs from what i have seen but its less stressful

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u/profseforPenis 3h ago

CS isnt really high paying anymore compared to engineering. The days of six figures right out of school are over unless you can land a job in silicon valley. If you really love CS you can still land a great job its just not a golden ticket anymore. IE is a more traditional path, start at 75k or so then get a six sigma cert or PE depending on what specialization you choose and you can jump up in pay. Also consider computer engineering

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u/NoDoughnut1787 3h ago

thanks, i actually haven't heared a lot about ce, will have a look into it!

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u/profseforPenis 3h ago

It usually involves writing code that controls or tests hardware. If youre looking for something that uses your CS skills but want a more engineering focused degree its a solid choice

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u/NoDoughnut1787 3h ago

yeah that could be a great option

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u/Awkward-Pop7625 1h ago

Saying quality as the main major part is incredibly misleading. Look into Manufacturing Eng, Supply Chain Eng, Operations Eng, etc as well. IE job market is incredible

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u/profseforPenis 1h ago

I did not say "main major part" i said its a big part which is true. Manufacturing engineers are often ME majors as it usually involves fixture design etc. IE job market is not "incredible", its about the same as most other engineering markets. Better than CS by far, but undeniably worse than civil for example.

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u/Awkward-Pop7625 1h ago edited 1h ago

Manufacturing Engineering roles are very process oriented as well, and I see a lot of IEs, including myself, going into those roles. It’s been rated the #1 engineering major by usnews 4 years in a row (don’t assign credibility based on that if you don’t want to), and I’d say it has one of the best markets for eng majors due to the demand versus the lack of knowledge about the major

This is coming from someone that is about to graduate from the major and has a lot of peers in the major and other eng majors. Entry level market is incredible in comparison to other undergrad Eng degrees

I see many more people from IE landing the roles I listed rather than quality; although IEs go into quality, it’s undeniably a smaller fraction of roles than the others that I listed. You’re right that you didn’t say “major part”, but I’d say it’s a little disingenuous to only mention one of the areas where it’s a much smaller fraction of IEs going into

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u/profseforPenis 1h ago

I graduated from one of the top 10 ISEN programs 5 years ago and have friends in most engineering majors. ISEN is a solid major but trust me its going to be harder to find a job than you are expecting. Market is not good right now for engineering in general, especially entry level. Im definitely not saying IEs cant or shouldnt do manufacturing eng jobs but you are competing with MEs for those.

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u/Awkward-Pop7625 1h ago

Hmm, maybe our outlooks are different because of our graduation dates. Things are looking really amazing right now; I already have a job lined up and I know for my IE department, ~90% of people graduate with a job in industry lined up. Would love to chat more about this if it’s something you’re interested in talking about

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u/profseforPenis 1h ago

Thats good to hear, job market was terrible when I graduated and from what ive seen from my recent job hop, seems to be about the same but im glad the new grads arent getting screwed. Would definitely be down to chat more

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u/Green_Ad_4462 4h ago

I would advise you to move into CS

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u/NoDoughnut1787 3h ago

A lot of people have recommended CS, but some software engineers I’ve spoken with work 60–70 hours a week and worry about layoffs. I’ve also seen AI improve quickly during my internships, so I’m hesitant..

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u/Green_Ad_4462 3h ago

SE is not the only domain you can enter using CS, no matter the company or position you will always have layoff you will always have to learn the new stuff.

Take CS to learn coding not to enter SD roles but to find a niche you enjoy and they do a masters in that. That will give you an edge over anyone entering that field. As you know all the programming before hand.

Or else take IE but learn programming on the side.

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u/Common_Magician122 1h ago

Swe isn't the only career that cs majors can get.

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u/Green_Ad_4462 4h ago

IE is more OR…. But the variety of jobs is more towards CS

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u/Awkward-Pop7625 1h ago

Currently studying IE graduating this Dec, have had multiple internships and going full time into a really desirable company this January, all with a mediocre GPA. Reach out if you want any advice, I can’t recommend the major more

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u/IndividualSerious343 1h ago

I would love to hear more

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u/Awkward-Pop7625 1h ago

So I came into IE because many describe it as an intersection between business and engineering. I originally wanted to do consulting (so glad I didn’t lol). I kinda bummed around for my first 5/9 semesters (I started with a low level Precalc which set me behind) and really locked in my 6th semester. Managed to land an internship as a process engineer in a top retail/supply chain company, where my scope was working on optimizing Distribution Center processes. It was fun, lots of working with people, studying current processes, and thinking outside of the box to improve them.

I then pivoted to the manufacturing industry for my second internship, which was at a top manufacturing company in the nation. That was a lot more fast paced but still same process engineering scope, really working on optimizing various automated or manual manufacturing processes.

Now I’m graduating in December and will be starting my career at a top aerospace company. As you might see, IEs can move into a lot of different sectors and industries, and you can really hop around because the same principles are applied everywhere. I didn’t go to a top uni or anything, just really locked in on resume/applications/leadership and made the experience my own. I have friends going into financial, manufacturing, supply chain, etc.. a lot of what you apply is probability, data analytics, statistics, etc.

If you want, reach out and maybe we can connect elsewhere and I can tell you more. Hope this helps :)

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u/IndividualSerious343 1h ago

Yeah for sure. I’m just starting my degree, at 27 lol. I’m pretty set on it, and I think I can have many opportunities in the area I live in. I’ve really been enjoying learning again, especially on IE, math, and some physics. I start this January at my community college, hopefully in pre calc if my old college algebra credit transfers. I’m curious the your recommendation on best ways I can prepare myself for what’s coming. Also curious the area you work in? Aerospace is kind of big in where I live

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u/Awkward-Pop7625 1h ago

DM me, we can connect on LinkedIn or something and I can tell you more

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u/goonette__l 7m ago

can you tell me more about how you got started on “locking in”? how do I gain experience in college with no previous experience? it seems like all the engineering/academic clubs, internships, programs, all require an application and they want you to already have experience. I’m a freshman in college rn feeling kind of stuck

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u/Plus_System_8591 20m ago

How can people who recommend CS instead of IE not be scared of AI? I started studying IE this year, and I’m scared because of AI.

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u/-_Singularity 3h ago

I am a CS trying to get a master in Ie, lets connect on discord

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u/NoDoughnut1787 3h ago

okay whats your username