Frequently Asked Questions

The answers to questions frequently asked by current industrial and systems engineering students can be found below.

  • Engineering Technology is a branch of engineering education that emphasizes the practical aspects of engineering rather than abstract concepts or theories. It is a blend of the application of science, engineering knowledge, and technical skills used in support of engineering activities. It provides an alternate pathway to a career in the engineering. Engineering technology graduates could fill four out of every five engineering positions in the U.S., and industry and educational leaders consider our graduates among the best.

  • IET is an engineering technology field that implements and applies the principles of industrial engineering. Like industrial engineering, IET deals primarily with the process management of money, materials, and labor in a business and/or industrial environment. Industrial engineering technology is one of the largest branches of engineering technology and includes sub-disciplines such as supply chain logistics and quality principles.

  • The ISYE program is a combination of Industrial Engineering & Systems Engineering. Industrial engineering is concerned with design, improvement and implementation of integrated processes of people, processes, information, materials, management and equipment.  Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary and structured approach to designing and deploying successful systems to blends engineering, systems thinking, and management topics.

  • The Industrial Engineering Technology degree program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) of ABET.

    The Industrial & Systems Engineering degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET.

  • Registration as a professional engineer is required for engineers making final decisions that can have an impact on the health and welfare of the general public. A large majority of the industrial engineers across the country are not licensed professional engineers. It is a more common requirement in the civil engineering disciplines. Engineers working in the building design and consulting fields often find it beneficial to be licensed. In Georgia the process to become licensed is:

    1. Graduate from an accredited engineering or engineering technology program,
    2. Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam,
    3. Work in industry for a minimum of 4 years for an engineering degree and 7 years for an engineering technology degree under the guidance of a professional engineer,
    4. Pass the Practice of Engineering Exam.

    Most states allow graduates from 4-year engineering technology programs to obtain their Professional Engineer’s license. However, the required number of years of working under the guidance of a licensed professional engineer varies from state to state.

  • Graduates of the IET or the ISYE programs are qualified for employment with companies that need business-engineering analyst as well as well as companies that design, manufacture, market, and provide services.

    Graduates of these programs are qualified for employment with companies in a variety of fields such as quality assurance, operations management, sales, project management, development, design, process engineering, manufacturing engineering, logistics, and industrial engineering, to name a few.  Such job titles include: industrial engineer, manufacturing engineer, supply chain engineer, packaging engineer, operations analyst, quality engineer, logistics analyst, technical sales, production engineer, and process engineer.

  • Below is a list of some of the companies who have hired IET and ISYE graduates.

    • AT&T
    • Astro Turf
    • Avon
    • Bank of America
    • Boeing
    • Caterpillar
    • Cox Communications
    • Delta Air Lines
    • Fastenal
    • FedEx
    • Ford Motor Company
    • Georgia Pacific
    • Georgia Power Company
    • HD Supply
    • Hewlett-Packard
    • Kellogs
    • Kimberly-Clark
    • KPMG
    • Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
    • Mohawk Industries
    • NCR Corporation
    • Nissan
    • Northrup Grumman
    • Panasonic Automotive Systems
    • Phillips 66
    • Publix Supermarkets
    • RaceTrac Petroleum
    • Rockwell Collins
    • Siemens
    • Shaw Industries
    • Southwire Company
    • The Home Depot
    • Toys R Us
    • U.S. Army
    • UPS
    • Walt Disney World
    • Wells Fargo

  • The primary academic difference is that IET classes are typically more “hands-on” and more application focused than ISYE classes. Most IET classes will have labs associated with them in which the students apply the concepts learned in class to an actual application. Examples of lab classes that are offered in IET that are not found in ISYE are Systems Simulation, Work Measurement and Ergonomics, and Facilities Design. ISYE classes are typically more math intensive, theory based, and more conceptual than IET classes. Another difference is the IET program has two optional concentrations, logistics and quality. The ISYE program has two concentrations, industrial engineering and systems engineering.

  • The Department of Systems and Industrial Engineering and the Department of Career Planning & Development at Kennesaw State work closely with industry to provide internships and coops to ensure students gain valuable industry experience. Many companies end up hiring students who have worked as interns or in the co-op program when they graduate. For more information, please visit careers.kennesaw.edu/steam.

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