A career in industrial management combines business management skills with technical knowledge in a field like engineering or manufacturing. Industrial managers are responsible for overseeing the success and efficiency of factory workers, as well as their safety and product management. These professionals need to be able to work with lower level workers as well as supervisors, designers and engineers who expect them to be knowledgeable about the goods and products that are being manufactured and to be able to communicate using technical vocabulary. Industrial managers are also responsible for organizing and ordering materials, working with vendors, and more. An MBA in this field can help a professional focus his or her skills on industrial management and give them a new career path or opportunity for promotion and a higher salary. Online programs allow professionals to reach these goals without having to give up their current job or commute to classes every weekend. Instead, classes can be completed generally on the schedule of the student, from wherever he or she wishes to study.

Masters level industrial management programs require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree, usually in a related field. This may include engineering, manufacturing, business management, operations management, project management or any other degree that stresses management skills. Work experience in a related industry may also be required, or at least help your chances of being accepted. Once you enroll in an MBA – Industrial Management program, expect to take classes in accounting, mechanics, financial management, project management, leadership, upper level math, and maybe even human resources. You will learn about the technical and theoretical aspects of industrial management, helping you to order materials and evaluate your inventory, manage a large number of employees, understand the math and science behind your operations systems, and work with technology systems related to the field. Depending on your program, you may be allowed to take electives that further narrow your degree towards a specific industry, like computers and electrical engineering, manufacturing, and more.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that industrial managers will actually see a 6% drop in the number of open jobs over the next several years. This decline is due to manufacturing projects being moved overseas and a decreasing manufacturing workforce overall. In May 2006, industrial production managers earned between $59,650 and $100,810 on average. The highest earning groups were individuals working as managers of businesses and those in the aerospace industry.