Overview of Best Engineering Majors for Business Careers
Nowadays there are various engineering majors offered by reputable colleges nationwide, and learning from both the engineering and business fields is a synergic combination for qualified career opportunities. Recently, students are starting to shift to taking a bachelor's degree in engineering-related majors and continuing to take a Masters in Business Administration(MBA) to be qualified in both areas. Various schools provide specific requirements and coursework, however, students can generally expect to explore topics that provide specific applied and practical knowledge such as supply chain management and six sigma certification. More detailed information on course information, admission requirements, and career options will be explored below.
Admittance Requirements for an Engineering Program
Typically, students who would like to apply for a major in engineering are required to have studied several foundational courses in mathematics-related subjects. Additionally, attachment of their current resumes, as well as official transcripts from previous institutions, are required. Occasionally, universities necessitate a minimum GPA, and even a personal statement comprising the student's goals, skills, and interest in the program.
Best Engineering Majors for Business Careers
Engineering programs often contain specialized coursework opportunities. The following are some of the best engineering majors for students who look to enhance their professional careers.
Engineering management
A degree in engineering management bridges the gap between engineering and business by integrating a curriculum of business, science, and math. Students who undertake the engineering management degree will learn how to effectively manage operations, projects, and product development as well as design. Additionally, students will develop fundamental technical knowledge with the underlying business know-how to handle financing, budgeting, and liaising with other departments in the organization.
Civil Engineering
Civil engineering requires a highly technical level of expertise that involves coursework in construction engineering, project management, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering, and infrastructure materials engineering. Students will work on engineering with regards to air pollution and quality, waste treatment, and management, as well as materials and budgeting for construction. Lastly, civil engineering emphasizes on reinforced structural design and the retaining of structures.
Industrial Engineering
An industrial engineering degree qualifies students to fill leadership positions, providing them with the knowledge to streamline manufacturing processes. Students will undergo coursework involving engineering design, statistical analysis, and operations research. Additionally, they will understand the importance of six sigma, supply chain management, and inventory management.
Information Systems Engineering
Students who undertake information systems engineering as a major will learn how to design and manage complex information systems as well as learn about the broad applications of this branch of engineering. Additionally, students will take courses in computer science, economics, statistics, operations research modeling, as well as delve into the different contexts in which information systems exist and transform.
Supply Chain Engineering
Supply chain management is increasingly important in the world today, as corporations continually search for ways to effectively streamline the supply chain process. Students majoring in supply chain engineering will gain knowledge of using enterprise resource planning(ERP) tools as well as integrating the necessary resources to ensure a smooth supply chain system. Manufacturing, warehousing, and freight transportation will be the main areas of focus in developing a competitive advantage in different organizations.
Career Options with an Engineering Major for Business Careers
Depending on the engineering major that students undertake, there are various different career pathways they can follow. Students who take systems engineering and specialize in information technology will typically go on to become computer and information systems managers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer and information systems managers' career field is projected to grow by 11% from 2020-2030. Besides being qualified for various technical engineering occupations, which is typical of graduates with an engineering degree, students can consider the following career options below.
