Why Industrial Engineering is the Best

Summary

This transcript follows an industrial engineer who describes her career path and role, emphasizing problem-solving, data analysis, and project management. Working for Deloitte Consulting, she enjoys the variety of her work, which ranges from improving welfare systems to optimizing business processes in industries like amusement parks and logistics. Her job involves collaborating with teams, using simulations, and continuously learning to make systems more efficient. She highlights the dynamic nature of industrial engineering and its application beyond traditional factory settings, while also discussing the importance of communication and leadership in the field.

Takeaways

• 🚂 The speaker initially misunderstood engineering as driving a train, only to later discover its broader scope in high school.
• 💼 The speaker loves their job in consulting at Deloitte, where they help develop welfare systems, and enjoys the diverse, problem-solving nature of the role.
• 🔧 As an industrial engineer, the speaker focuses on business processes rather than traditional manufacturing work, solving problems, gathering data, and managing teams.
• ✈️ They appreciate the opportunity to travel as part of their consulting job, which allows them to decompress during trips.
• 🛠️ Industrial engineering involves working with people and teams rather than in labs, and it focuses on optimizing processes to improve efficiency.
• 🌊 The speaker has experience working on theme park water slides, making the attractions more efficient and ensuring customer satisfaction.
• 🖥️ The speaker uses simulation software like Arena to model systems and solve various business problems, from airlines to restaurants.
• 🧠 They emphasize that industrial engineering is for those curious about how things work, as it involves problem-solving with math and science.
• 📦 At UPS, the speaker works on optimizing delivery systems, communicating with different staff levels and helping improve operations.
• 🎢 Every day as an industrial engineer is different and challenging, involving leadership, project management, and decision-making in a variety of industries.

Q & A

What inspired the speaker to pursue engineering?

The speaker didn’t fully understand what engineering was until junior and senior years of high school. Their parents suggested they would become an engineer, but they initially thought it involved driving trains.

What does the speaker enjoy about their job as an industrial engineer?

The speaker loves the variety in their job, the fun they have at work, and the people they work with. They also enjoy problem-solving and managing different processes.

What specific project is the speaker working on in Charleston?

The speaker is working on a welfare project for Deloitte Consulting, where they help custom-develop a welfare system, including all the programs, screens, and application processes for welfare recipients.

How does the speaker describe the role of industrial engineering in their work?

The speaker explains that industrial engineering involves problem-solving, data gathering, and management. They orchestrate problem-solving for various projects and industries, not just factory work.

What aspect of consulting does the speaker appreciate the most?

The speaker enjoys traveling as part of their consulting job, describing it as a time to decompress during the week.

How does industrial engineering differ from other types of engineering, according to the speaker?

Industrial engineering focuses on people and processes rather than manufacturing products like gears and sprockets. It involves creating business processes and improving system efficiency.

What kind of environments does the speaker work in as an industrial engineer?

The speaker works in various environments, including welfare projects and water parks, where they analyze data, improve systems, and help create more efficient operations.

What tool does the speaker mention using for simulation in their consulting work?

The speaker mentions using a simulation package called Arena, which allows them to create computer models of systems, from airlines to steel mills, to help clients assess and solve their problems.

What is the speaker's view of problem-solving in engineering?

The speaker views engineering as problem-solving by using mathematical and scientific tools. They emphasize improving processes and making things work better, which is the core of industrial engineering.

How does the speaker interact with people in their role at UPS?

The speaker interacts with various individuals, including drivers, sorters, and managers, helping improve operations through effective communication and problem-solving.