Industrial & Systems Engineering: What is ISE?

You will find industrial and systems engineers (ISEs) designing the cockpit layout of jet fighter aircraft to maximize the pilot’s performance at completing an air force’s mission.
	You will find ISEs designing the worldwide network of routes, hubs, and associated processes for trains, trucks, and jets to achieve overnight package deliveries.
You will find ISEs designing the processes for building and distributing personal computers better, faster, and cheaper than the competition.
In short, ISEs engineer processes and systems with the “big picture” in mind for virtually all types of enterprises. “...In the past decades, most of the companies that have created truly extraordinary amounts of wealth have done so by inventing great processes, not great products.” — The Economist
	Industrial and systems engineers are the bridge between an enterprise’s goals and its operational performance because they are concerned with increasing quality, safety, and profitability through the application of science, mathematics, engineering, and business. They design and improve systems of people, materials, information, equipment, energy, and capital. Industrial and systems engineers determine the most effective ways for an enterprise to make a product or provide a service.
The industrial and systems engineering profession has much to offer any prospective college student interested in math, science, engineering, or even operations management. ISEs are educated to build mental models, mathematical models, economic models, statistical models, and computer simulation models that capture the complex interactions between the elements that comprise a system and then to use those models to optimize the design and control of the system. Because this engineering expertise is highly valued by virtually all enterprises including manufacturing, health care, transportation, defense, and amusement parks, ISEs are in high demand.
	The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Mississippi State University has faculty that are interested in their students’ success, a student body that works together and learns from each other, research opportunities that are unparalleled by any other university in the state, and newly renovated facilities to make your experiences in ISE as beneficial as possible.

Top Ten Reasons to Become an ISE

Work is exciting and challenging. The job is never boring. Projects typically change frequently.
You can work in several types of organizations; e.g., manufacturing, transportation, financial, healthcare, consulting. It is a rare organization that doesn't need an ISE
ISEs usually have a broader view of the organization. For example, while an ME or EE might design a product, an ISE would use her or his creativity to design a production system to manufacture the product.
ISE is more management-oriented than other engineering disciplines. Consequently, ISE is more people-oriented.
Good job opportunities for ISEs in Mississippi and across the nation.
Big bucks - $60,351 avg. starting salary (based on a 2008 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers).
ISE is a gateway to entrepreneurship, and provides more upward mobility in an organization.
ISE provides a good background for other fields; e.g., law, medicine.
ISEs have a strong economic and business sense in addition to their strong engineering background — excellent combination!
We have a great program at MSU with a modern curriculum and talented faculty who enjoy teaching and working with students.