Industrial and Systems Engineering Alumni

Important Skills I Learned at OHIO

Overall, what I learned the most was how to think like an engineer. ​

Some of the most useful tools I use are:​

• Work measurement​

• Human factors and ergonomics​

• Lean manufacturing​

• Communication!

Something I've Learned Since Graduating

Learning doesn’t stop after you graduate. Technologies, products, and customer needs continue to evolve over time. However, with an ISE mindset, you are prepared to take on those challenges every day.​

Important Skills I Learned at OHIO

• To focus on value and eliminate waste​

• Structured problem solving​

• Project management​
• Process design

Something I've Learned Since Graduating

I’ve learned that I will ALWAYS be learning. Thankfully, my training as an ISE taught me how to learn efficiently and effectively by focusing on what matters most in any process.​

Important Skills I Learned at OHIO

The courses I took as an ISE gave me a foundation to think creatively and analytically to come up with solutions that are "outside of the box." I also constantly refer back to the "8 Wastes of Lean"... DOWNTIME is an acronym I’ll never forget!

Something I've Learned Since Graduating

I’ve really been able to appreciate how dynamic an ISE career can be. After graduating, I first worked in manufacturing, focused on process improvement. There were many great skills that I gained and improved upon during that time.&

I was able to take those same skills I developed and pivoted into health care very easily because of the core material I learned as an ISE. Career paths are truly endless!

Important Skills I Learned at OHIO

• Techniques to identify and eliminate waste​
• Time-management skills​
• Working in a team environment​
• Effective and concise communication skills

Something I've Learned Since Graduating

ISE was a great foundation for my career, and I continue to learn something new each day. Building relationships with others and effective project management are skills that have been enhanced over the last 10 years I’ve been working.​

Important Skills I Learned at OHIO

• Systematic problem solving—most problems are just a bunch of smaller ones that you need to solve in a specific order​
• Identifying waste and finding ways to reduce it​
• You can get way more done working effectively in a team

Something I've Learned Since Graduating

Most of the time it’s better to do something fast and be directionally accurate than to get it 100% right. You’ll never actually know what correct is so make a decision and move on to the next one.​

Important Skills I Learned at OHIO

• Lean​
• Operations research and optimization methods​
• Problem solving​
• Thinking on a systems level​
• Utilizing Microsoft Excel

Something I've Learned Since Graduating

Being able to make a compelling presentation and run effective cross-functional meetings are extremely valuable skills. These things are critical once in industry.​

Also, become an expert in Excel. Being good in Excel will help you in any field or industry you go into.

Important Skills I Learned at OHIO

• Identifying waste in processes and how to eliminate it​
• Different types of material handling equipment and RFID—which I sell!​
• A problem-solving mindset, which makes me a valuable asset to my clients and has helped me win projects​

Something I've Learned Since Graduating

Working with clients, I’ve developed sales and business relationship skills. These have been valuable because my job involves working with my clients to help solve their problems.​

Given that Balluff is in the automation industry, I’ve also learned how these products are applied and how they’re used to solve problems.

Important Skills I Learned at OHIO 

• Understanding different systems and applying process improvements​
• Improving people’s safety and day-to-day jobs​
• Effective presentation, communication, and teamwork skills​
• SQL and programming to assist in data analysis and data visualization

Something I've Learned Since Graduating

I learned the ability to be flexible and patient as a Product Manager in the constantly changing technology world. When priorities shift, it is important to stay on track to always deliver the highest business value, while keeping our customers and business partners’ technology needs as a central focus.