In-demand career: industrial and systems engineering

NORCROSS, Ga. – Oct. 19, 2023 – What better way to inspire youth who are searching for a career path that is both rewarding and in-demand than by students who are already on that path? Their knowledge as up-and-coming professionals is relevant and relatable.

The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers – Industry Advisory Board annual YouTube Video Contest sponsored by Tompkins International offers IISE student chapters around the world the opportunity to showcase the industrial and systems engineering profession. The field was recently reported by cnbc.com, based on Payscale’s college salary report, as one of the highest paying jobs in the U.S. 10 years after graduation. Operations Research + Industrial Engineering was ranked No. 2 at $191,800 followed by No. 6 Operations Research at $160,000 and No. 8 Systems Engineering at $159,100.

The 2023 winning videos from first-place finisher IISE Student Chapter No. 671 at Khalifa University, and second and third-place winners IISE Student Chapter No. 821 at Purdue University and IISE Student Chapter No. 862 at Oregon State, respectively, highlight what an ISE education and career have to offer to high school students, teachers and college counselors.

The top video “What Is Industrial Engineering?” produced at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, includes background on the history and pioneers of industrial engineering and its effect on current-day opportunities for ISE graduates.

“By studying industrial engineering, you will learn how to design and improve systems that can make a real difference in the world,” the video narration summarizes. “If you have an eye for improvement, a desire to solve problems and want to drive change in organizations and people, industrial engineering is the field for you.”

Led by chapter president Yasser Alahmad, the video was produced with help from chapter members and faculty adviser Emre Simsekler.

“I wanted to make sure that the video was engaging to high school students and anyone who may be interested in learning more about the field,” Alahmad said. “To achieve this, I focused on taking the viewers on a journey to the past to convey complex concepts and historical events in a clear and memorable way and then switching back to this day and age of industrial engineering.”

To learn more about the ISE profession, go to iise.org/WhatISEsDo. The 2024 IISE-IAB video competition details are available at iise.org/videocontest.

About IISE: The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers is the world’s largest professional society dedicated solely to the support of the industrial engineering profession and individuals involved with improving quality and productivity. Founded in 1948, IISE is an international, nonprofit association that provides knowledge, training, networking opportunities and recognition to enhance the skills and effectiveness of its members, customers and the profession. For more information about IISE, visit www.iise.org.