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Yu-Chien Yu from Taiwan has found one thing in common from his experience working at several industry giants such as Eaton, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Apple: they all prioritise using data. “In the Thermo Fisher project, I was responsible for the Power BI dashboard,” says the Professional Master’s Programme in Industrial Engineering student at Purdue University. “I innovated by arranging useful data so the dashboard can provide the most helpful information.”
Data use has become one of the most important skills and challenges in the industrial engineering field. This is why the Edwardson School of Industrial Engineering at Purdue University emphasises everything related to data use in areas such as operations research, artificial intelligence, manufacturing, human factors, and production systems.
The Edwardson School of Industrial Engineering offers a graduate programme ranked #6 in the US (US News & World Report 2025). The Professional Master’s Programme (PMP) provides advanced technical education that focuses on developing professional skills that meet the needs of industry globally. In addition to technical skills similar to a traditional master’s programme, you will also develop leadership and management skills and effective communication among clients to manage multiple projects.
Yu’s work experiences, part of his PMP, have given him the confidence to lead. “At Eaton, every team member had their part to work on,” Yu says. “When it comes to the subject I was responsible for, I had to lead the meeting and communicate with the team and clients. Therefore, I think this experience helped me enhance my leadership skills.”
The Professional Master’s Programme is updated with the latest industry trends and technology developments. Source: Purdue University
Preparing for rapid technological change
The programme is at the forefront of how rapid advancements in technology are impacting the industry. Modules cover topics like Human Factors in Virtual Reality, Digital Twins for Advanced Production Systems Control, Intelligent Robotic Systems, and other cutting-edge subjects. This will give you an edge when seeking employment, as you will have crucial exposure to what organisation need and the know-how to prepare for what’s coming.
This forward-thinking approach is possible thanks to the PMP’s links with Fortune 500 companies like Caterpillar, Tesla, American Airlines, Eaton, and more. “Engaging in real-world projects in actual existing companies is what makes the programme special. [We learn] how to solve these problems, what skills we need, the latest technological trends,” Yu says.
Students of the Professional Master’s Programme must understand, learn, come up with solutions, and give a final presentation within 16 weeks. Source: Purdue University
Support from professors, peers, and alumni
Spanning 30 credit hours (21 credits of IE course work and 9 credits of PMP Capstone), the PMP can be completed in 9 to 21 months with multiple Master’s level capstone projects, coached by the faculty member with 30 years of diverse global senior management experience. They help you with your capstone projects and offer meaningful guidance when you face challenges in job applications, interview skills, and negotiation techniques.
Yu names associate professor Dr. Ben Fong as his top source of support. “When we have difficulties in finding the next step in the project, Dr. Fong will give us some insights on what the client wants and what details we should be focusing on.”
In this programme, students come from various countries. This allows you to engage with peers from different backgrounds, sharing insights and understanding how other cultures approach a problem.
Such a diverse group of future industrial engineers provides another advantage: opening doors to future professional opportunities. You’re not only connected to the peers in your cohort but also with alumni through the university’s vast network. Recent graduates have landed managerial positions in companies like Amazon, Eaton, and American Airlines as Pathways Operations Manager, Quality Supervisor, and Operations Planning Analyst, respectively.
For more valuable career advice, you can even engage with the Outstanding Industrial Engineering Award winners who have demonstrated exemplary achievements and leadership throughout their careers.
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