<p>what is the difference between the two?</p>
<p>Haha, pretty funny how often this same title is being posted lately, but it is a very good and very relevant question. In my research I have noticed a lot of industrial engineering majors taking jobs as supply chain managers, so there is a very close relationship between the two, but there are also fundamental differences.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Industrial engineering is a little bit more respected than SCM because of the level of math IE’s go through and the overall rigor of coursework for the degree. IE’s are better equipped to use advanced statistical methods to solve problems and design processes for companies.</p></li>
<li><p>Industrial engineers qualify for quite a few jobs that supply chain managers don’t at first, but after a few years experience the two careers sort of intersect and supply chain managers and industrial engineers end up doing the same type of management jobs, mainly involving consulting and operations management. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>If choosing between the two I would pick supply chain management, unless I really liked math and statistics. I just don’t think the extra work that is required for the IE degree is really worth the five thousand extra dollars a year at the entry level that may or may not happen for you. Also, if the IE degree was very highly ranked at my school then I might consider it over supply chain.</p>
<p>I do not know much aout Industrial Engineer. Regarding SCM, if you are attending one the top SCM schools, you will get opportunities for internships and after graduate employments as they are heavily recruited. ASU, one of the top schools in SCM, has posted salary survey of their recent graduates. The average salary was over $50,000 for the past year. Not too bad in this economy.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help. I was asking because I am a Chemistry major that doesn’t want to be a lab serf for 40 years, at most 10 years; instead I was looking to move into procurement. Not so interested in sales and don’t think I can manage without years of lab serf experience. Which of these degrees will be better suited for these goals?</p>
<p>Honestly, if you can handle the course load for the Industrial Engineering degree, then go for it. Engineering in general can be very rewarding, if money isn’t entirely controlling your head.</p>
<p>For procurement, SCM will be a very good degree to have. You can also get into procurement from engineering. The key is to find internships during your undergraduate summers to gain experience. Companies like to hire students with good history of internships.</p>
<p>I was an operations research & industrial engineering major about 30 years ago … and spend a few years doing IE type work and about 15 years doing SCM work … and I would not position one major above the other but dscribe the difference in difference in focus.</p>
<p>IEs tend to look ar pragmatic solutions to more local issues. Redesigning a work area in a plant … designing the conveyor system for a new distribution center … within a site or a smaller network define solutions to very tangible operations issues. The techniques are often heuristics as opposed to optimization techniques. And often the majority of interactions will be with hourly line workers. I found this fun as in relatively short time period my work was implemented an improved operations.</p>
<p>SCM tends to look at a wider lens of operations and solve more global problems. How should we position inventory across our distibution network to maximize fill rate while minimizing inventory (or maybe propose a new design of the network) … or when and how much should we order to cover all the plants and the demand pattern for the next few weeks. These problems tend to be more global, which I liked, and can (if you’re working on strategy problems) involve some pretty cool analytics … the SCM strategy work tends to take longer than a typical IE project and is more likely to not be used after completion (which is frustrating). In my experience SCM folks tend to work with the professional staff more than IEs.</p>
<p>Bottom line … both are pretty interesting … taking some classes in both might help point you in a direction. Even then my descirptions used the word “tend” a lot … IEs and SCM folks work together a lot and there tends to be a lot of movement across the disciplines especially at junior levels … getting into one field probably opens the door for both if the employee seeks out opportunities to cross over.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advices.</p>
<p>Is a graduate degree in SCM ok? Since I enjoy chemistry and am almost done with it, I’d rather not do another undergraduate degree. As you said, SCM is more global focused and Christian2 mentioned it was better for procurement work.</p>
<p>If you want a graduate degree in SCM, the best path is thru a MBA degree. You shall work a few years first to gain good experience and then apply to a good MBA program. The average salary offer for a MBA graduate in SCM from ASU is in the mid $80,000 range.</p>
<p>Christian, UT Dallas school of management offeres an MS in supply chain that would only take 12 months for me to complete after a BS in operations. Do you think that’s a good or bad idea? I would actually love to go to ASU’s supply chain program, but the cost of UT Dallas for me will be almost zero and I have no idea how much ASU would ultimately cost me. Do you think there would be a huge difference between the job opportunities for those two schools?</p>
<p>Inmotion, I alway believe it is really the student, not the school, that makes the difference. With almost zero cost, UT Dallas is a very good option. You might want to check with the school about the placement statistics of the MS Supply Chain program. ASU happens to be one of the top school in SCM. The graduates in that program, whether BS or MBA, placed very well. Sometime it is important to go to a target school since some companies recruit at ASU for SCM majors only. But do check UT Dallas out and I believe it is a good school as well.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response and good luck on your career path; sounds like you are going to do very well.</p>
<p>Inmotion, I am actually a retired person. I was both a professional engineer and a procurement professional. My son is going to ASU and majoring in SCM and that’s how I know something about that school. Good luck and best wishes to your career.</p>
<p>Hi Christian , My name is Yogesh and i am from India. I have a bachelors in Mech engg and have been working for close to 2 years now with IBM in the procurement division . I am planning to pursue my masters in the US but i am confused in whether to opt for a masters in IE or master in SCM .</p>
<p>I am of the understanding that a masters in SCM would narrow my area of knowledge and it would be better to study IE , your thoughts please ??</p>
<p>Hi Yogesh, as I have said before, I do not know too much about Industrial Engineering. As far as SCM is concern, the best route is to get a MBA with SCM as your concentration. I do not believe a MBA in SCM will narrow your area of knowledge. You can study other business related areas in a MBA prgram. With you job experience in procurement combining with a MBA degree from a good program, you shall be a very attractive candidate for any recruiting company.</p>
<p>My school does not have a Supply Chain Management degree nor does it have an Industrial Engineering program. However, there is the option of taking a Logistics track for BBA students. Math is not my strong suit, should I take this option?</p>
<p>Hi Yogesh,</p>
<p>I hope you haave completed majors in either of the SCM or Industrial engineering by now. I have same doubt, as I am also working in IBM INDIA PVT LTD , as in procurement division , which would be a good option? To go for IE or SCM.</p>