7 Career Paths for Online Manufacturing Degree Students

Choosing to pursue higher education and attend a college or university is a fabulous way to solidify your future. Learning important skills, techniques, foundations, and practices will help you to stand out from others when it comes to applying for a job and will make sure you are well-positioned to succeed. It also helps you to climb that all-important career ladder so you don’t end up stuck or stagnant for long periods. 

For those who have an interest in an online manufacturing degree, it’s only natural to question what kind of a career this would set you up for. Here’s a look at seven paths that it can lead to, opening the door to all kinds of different opportunities.

Mechanical Engineer

As a mechanical engineer, your job will involve designing, developing, testing, and building a wide array of devices. This can include such things as engines, tools, machines, and more. The median pay for mechanical engineers was $90,160 in 2020 and the field is experiencing modest growth of 4%. If you want to increase your opportunities for landing a job and potentially higher pay, you may want to look at working abroad.

Industrial Engineer

Here's another job that can be quite appealing to graduates, with a 2020 median salary of $88,950. Industrial engineers are very much in demand. Job growth is happening at a much faster rate than the national average (of all jobs), with it expected to grow by 10% by 2029. Think of yourself as a problem-solver in this job, as you'll be working to put together systems that ensure materials, workers, information, machines, and energy all work efficiently and effectively together.

Quality Engineer

Because businesses are always looking for a way to cut down on expenses and produce more for less, quality engineers are extremely important. As a quality engineer, your main goal is to eliminate any waste that is currently happening in the production process. This requires planning and putting in place systems that maximize all aspects of the production process. There will also be monitoring and tracking elements to the job to ensure waste truly has been eliminated.

This one isn't enjoying as much growth as some of the other careers, but that's not to say it is stagnant. It can be worth investigating a little further before you decide on this career path.

Information Systems Manager

Information and data have become a huge part of many industries. And with that there needs to be professionals that understand how to properly collect and then track that data, putting it to good use. Information systems managers can be those people and offer another potential career path for manufacturing  degree students. 

Depending on the sector, employer and the location you work in you can also demand a very impressive salary. In 2020, the median pay for computer and information systems managers was $151,150. And the good news continues as this is a field that is enjoying a large amount of growth, which means there are opportunities out there. Besides collecting and tracking data/information, you'll also need to plan, implement, and coordinate a wide array of computer-related processes.

Operation Research Analyst

As an operations research analyst, you need to have a love of data and information. You will be looking over the entire manufacturing and processing procedures, right down to the smallest of details, looking for ways that the system can be improved upon. This position is ideal for those who have an eye for detail and an inquisitive mindset.

The goal is always the end product and making it better, and for that reason, you'll find operations research analysts in all kinds of different businesses - both industrial engineering and manufacturing engineering. In terms of pay, the median pay for 2020 was $86,200. 

Now, what makes this a really attractive option for those looking for the "perfect" career path is the rate of job growth. This field is exploding, with a predicted job growth rate of 25% by 2029. This is much faster than the typical job growth, and much of this can be attributed to the continued move towards using the latest and greatest technology and companies looking to cut back on expenses and wastefulness as much as possible. If anything, that 25% is predicted to grow even more.

The typical work environment for an operations research analyst can differ. You may work in an office environment or you could be spending your time traveling from client to client. There's even the option to act as a consultant and have full control over your career.

Business Consultant

Another career option is to be your boss and work as a business consultant. Part of what makes this job so attractive is the variety it will offer. You'll be able to work with different clients and advise them on how they can remedy their specific issues. It will be up to you to assess their current situation, figure out a plan, and potentially help them to implement that plan.

Lean Manufacturing Master's Opens Senior Level Jobs

If you want to go the route of a manufacturing degree, you may want to look into the Master of Science Lean Manufacturing. This is a unique online manufacturing degree through Kettering University. Should you go with this degree, it can open more senior-level jobs which can include:

• VP, director, purchasing/sourcing/procurement
• Executive/corporate management
• VP, production/manufacturing
• Lean/continuous improvement management
• R&D/product development manager
• VP, supply chain

While these positions carry a lot more responsibility they will also command a much higher salary. It depends on what appeals to you in terms of a career, and just how much you’re hoping to make in your job.

Many Exciting and Rewarding Paths to Follow

So, if you’re after a job that offers plenty of options for growth, an impressive salary, and plenty of choice and flexibility then you may want to look into a manufacturing degree and what it can do for your future. This is a degree with all kinds of possibilities, making it universally appealing for many. It allows you to work in various sectors and industries both at home and abroad.