Career Information for a Degree in Industrial Technology
Industrial technology programs use management education to prepare graduates to develop and oversee the operations, policies and procedures of manufacturing businesses. Graduates of a degree program in industrial technology can find work in a wide variety of career fields, including industrial production management, cost estimation and sales management.
What is an Industrial Technology Degree Program?
Graduates of industrial technology programs apply the scientific method to business problems. In college, they study inputs and outputs, conduct experiments and gather data in order to find better ways to manage technological systems. In contrast with industrial engineering, most students of industrial technology do not study how to design these industrial systems, but rather focus on application operation and management. Curricula generally include chemistry, physics, math and manufacturing technology.
Industrial Production Manager
Industrial production managers use their logistic and administrative skills to oversee the production of goods. Their duties include ensuring that production is on time and within a set budget. They may institute or follow quality control programs to ensure safety and meet industry or government standards. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that job openings for industrial production managers were expected to drop by eight percent between 2008 and 2018 as production facilities become increasingly automated (www.bls.gov).
Cost Estimator
Cost estimators in industrial technology possess an extensive knowledge of industry-specific pricing. They use this knowledge to assess the cost of parts, materials and labor needed to produce goods. According to the BLS, employers prefer to hire cost estimators with bachelor's degrees in a relevant field and applicable job experience; consequently, graduates of industrial technology degree programs may need to accumulate experience with construction materials before entering this career. Employment for cost estimators was anticipated to rise by 25% between 2008 and 2018, according to the BLS.
Sales Manager
Sales managers institute programs to increase the revenue of an organization or business. These professionals are trained on products and services and follow market trends in order to maximize profits. Those with an industrial technology background may work in the manufacturing industry. The BLS doesn't provide job outlook information specifically for sales managers, but it does report that employment of wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives was expected to grow by seven percent between 2008 and 2018.
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