I chose Lehigh University because of the Integrated Business and Engineering program (IBE), and chose Industrial Engineering as my major because I felt it was the best field to concentrate in while completing the dual degree program.  When I took my first industrial engineering classes, I thought I wanted to focus on operations research, but after taking the core classes I found I preferred studying logistics.  Because of the wide range of classes that are offered, I was able to adjust my schedule to take the classes that taught what I wanted to learn.  

As a result of choosing Industrial Engineering, I have had the opportunity to take part in many experiences, both in and out of the classroom environment.  There are three organizations that IE students can participate in: the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE), the IE/ISE council, and Alpha Pi Mu IE honors fraternity.  IIE is a professional organization for industrial engineers; it allows students to see what IE’s do in the real world, demonstrates the wide availability of careers that are open to IE’s, and offers a networking environment.  The IE/ISE council is a council that has representatives from the sophomore, junior, and senior classes, plus graduate students and faculty.  The goal of the council is to ensure that everyone in the department has a chance to voice their opinion if they have a question, concern, or idea for improvement within the department.  Alpha Pi Mu is the honors fraternity associated with the industrial engineering major, recognizing those who have done well academically.  I had the pleasure of being a member of all three of these groups, as well as being the co-chair of the IE/ISE council and president of IIE.

I was also afforded many valuable experiences outside of the classroom, with two internships and a senior project that helped me prepare for entering the real world.  I interned with the automotive leather manufacturer Seton Company, doing statistical analyses to develop a model that would predict raw material utilization.  As part of the program, I was exposed to all parts of the leather making process, from visiting the tanneries in New Jersey to finishing plants in Pennsylvania, to cutting plants in Mexico.  The next summer, I interned with IBM’s SAP practice in the Business Consulting Services division.  This allowed me to get a taste of the consulting lifestyle, as well as learn the widely used industry program, SAP.  Also, as required by the IE curriculum, I took a senior project, working with FMI Corporation.  Located in the Lehigh Valley, FMI bottles many household products, among which are liquid soaps and detergents.  I helped construct a database for various bottling operations; this was another example of applying what I’ve learned in the classroom to solve a real world problem. 

I had the opportunity to interview with many companies, both for internships and full time positions, over the past couple years.  One of the best aspects of industrial engineering is that there are so many possible career paths.  Companies come to Lehigh to interview industrial engineers for, among others, positions in manufacturing, logistics, and consulting.  After I graduate I will continue consulting with IBM in their SAP practice, helping companies install SAP to streamline their business and make their supply chain run more efficiently.