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I'm considering changing careers and studying industrial engineering but I would like to learn a bit more about the field. Basically, I've always had some idea that I would very much enjoy engineering. I love learning how things work and being able to improve them. I read the "Should I become an Engineer" thread and felt it described me perfectly. If only I'd seen the post my freshman year of college! However, I already have undergraduate degrees in economics and psychology. I enjoyed both of those fields but am no longer sure my current career path would be as satisfying as engineering (If I don't get an IE degree I'll end up getting an MBA and probably work in corporate finance).
I have taken enough math courses to meet the admissions requirements for an MSE in Industrial Engineering. I also have a good friend who graduated with a masters in IE and I thought their classes sounded really interesting. I remember looking at her books and thinking there was a lot of similarity between what she was studying and what you might see in a rigorous applied economics course (in terms of the mathematical and statistical techniques, as well as some overlap regarding efficiency, etc.). Based on this information, along with the fact that I would very much like a career that is both intellectual and somewhat "hands on", I think IE would be a great fit.
However, this would be a major change of directions and although IE seems more appealing now than my other options the cost of switching career tracks is high (what if I don't like it for some reason!?). Despite the exposure to IE that I've mentioned above, I feel like it is more opaque than other types of engineering. I'm looking for information that anyone is willing to provide that might help ensure that I make this decision wisely, perhaps some information about a day in the life of an IE, or anything else?
Thanks.
I have taken enough math courses to meet the admissions requirements for an MSE in Industrial Engineering. I also have a good friend who graduated with a masters in IE and I thought their classes sounded really interesting. I remember looking at her books and thinking there was a lot of similarity between what she was studying and what you might see in a rigorous applied economics course (in terms of the mathematical and statistical techniques, as well as some overlap regarding efficiency, etc.). Based on this information, along with the fact that I would very much like a career that is both intellectual and somewhat "hands on", I think IE would be a great fit.
However, this would be a major change of directions and although IE seems more appealing now than my other options the cost of switching career tracks is high (what if I don't like it for some reason!?). Despite the exposure to IE that I've mentioned above, I feel like it is more opaque than other types of engineering. I'm looking for information that anyone is willing to provide that might help ensure that I make this decision wisely, perhaps some information about a day in the life of an IE, or anything else?
Thanks.