Careers in industrial management offer fast-paced, rewarding work in a challenging, stable field. With a median salary of over $85,000 in and a respectable growth rate, positions in industrial management are highly sought-after and competitive. Industrial managers oversee production of a manufacturing plant or factory and are responsible for maintaining the diligence and safety of the production process. Industrial managers assure equipment and employees are working at a rapid pace, producing the product on time. Often managers are directly responsible for budgetary concerns, be it as they apply to the timeliness of production or otherwise. With this vast variety of responsibilities, production managers have to “wear many hats.” From employee supervision to accounting, from the maintenance of linear motion bearings to production quality control, a career in industrial management is hardly tedious or repetitive but is a career for those seeking challenging work in a dynamic, rewarding field.

Industrial management positions require a minimum education of a bachelor’s degree; however, there is no specified degree or prerequisite of field of study to enter the industry. For this reason, selecting the right bachelor’s degree is important in setting oneself apart in what is a competitive field. The following are four degrees which transfer well into a career in industrial management:

Engineering

Engineering students learn the theory and application of engineering principles. With this degree, graduates are well suited for overseeing management of largely industrialized manufacturing.

Construction Management

A combination of specialization in construction principles and employee supervision; graduates are best suited in employee-centered manufacturing processes.

Supply Chain Management

Often associated with the business college at their respective university, supply chain management graduates learn how to improve logistics, manufacturing, or otherwise maximize a supply chain. Graduates are well suited for a wide variety of both mechanized and employee centered processes.

Business Management

With a business management degree, graduates have a strong background in accounting, finance, supply chain management, and general management theory. Applicants graduate ready to oversee a wide range of manufacturing, though additional focus in engineering, construction, or supply chain management would be beneficial.

If interested in industrial management, students should try to determine what kind of manufacturing best suites their strengths and interests. For example, those more interested in administration should consider a business focus while someone who likes working with people may consider a management degree. While the field is competitive, successful applicants will discover a financially rewarding, challenging career in line with their passions.