Manufacturing Education: What Should I Study?

Hey everyone! I want to study manufacturing in college but I'm not really sure about the exact major or requirements. What degrees are available and what courses do I need to take? Any recommendations on schools with good manufacturing programs would be great too. Thanks in advance!

Hey! It's great to hear that you're interested in pursuing manufacturing in college. There are a variety of majors that can prepare you for a career in manufacturing, and the exact one you choose will depend on your specific interests and the type of manufacturing career you'd like to have.

Some common majors related to manufacturing are:

1. Industrial Engineering: This major focuses on optimizing processes, reducing waste, and improving efficiency in manufacturing plants. Required coursework often covers statistics, operations research, and quality control.

2. Manufacturing Engineering: This field is focused on designing, optimizing, and managing manufacturing systems, as well as studying materials and processes. Classes within this major might include materials science, manufacturing processes, and computer-aided design (CAD).

3. Mechanical Engineering: As a mechanical engineer, you'd primarily concentrate on the design of mechanical systems and machines used in manufacturing. You could expect to take classes in areas like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and machine design.

4. Materials Science Engineering: This major delves into developing, testing, and evaluating materials used in various industries, including manufacturing. In this field, you'll take courses in areas such as materials processing, metallurgy, and polymer science.

When it comes to choosing a college with a strong manufacturing program, some well-regarded institutions include:

1. Georgia Institute of Technology

2. University of Michigan

3. Purdue University

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

5. University of California—Berkeley

Keep in mind, though, that many other schools also have strong engineering programs that include manufacturing-related majors. It's essential to research each school's offerings and focus on factors like location, size, and campus culture to determine which institution will be the best fit for you personally as well as academically.

Lastly, engaging in extracurricular activities that relate to your field of interest, such as robotics clubs or engineering competitions, can enhance your college application and demonstrate your passion for manufacturing. If you're looking to boost your extracurricular profile over the summer, when you have more time, CollegeVine's blog has some suggestions for summer programs related to engineering, many of which would give you the possibility of focusing on manufacturing specifically: https://blog.collegevine.com/high-school-engineering-summer-programs.

Good luck with your college search and future endeavors in manufacturing!