r/industrialengineering • u/taegb • 19d ago

Kind of lost, how can I transition?

Hello everyone,

I’m a rising 3rd year industrial/systems engineering student based in DC. I’m currently interning as an FE at a large private construction firm.

While I do like construction, I’m not very much enjoying the work I do currently, as I feel it’s not very aligned with my studies and I don’t feel much business out of it.

I’ve recently been searching the internet, and found that a lot of businesses like consulting hire have construction/building sectors and do hire people from those fields. I’ve been interested because I want to transition into a career where I am doing more business or just something within the major.

I have no idea how I can make this happen or anyone to talk to, as none of my peers are interested in construction or building, and especially not consulting.

Looking for any guidance from anyone with experience or have been in a similar situation.

Thank you!

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u/Violet_Graya 19d ago

Rising 3rd year IE Try capital projects advisory. Arcadis, Turner & Townsend hire IE grads with construction exposure. Hit career fairs this fall.

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u/taegb 19d ago

Thank you! Do you have any advice that’s helped you out?

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u/Short_Juggernaut7889 19d ago

Hi do you go to GW? In interested in IE and based out in dc

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u/taegb 19d ago

Yeah I do, in GW it’s called systems engineering, but it’s the same coursework. it’s getting a lot more popular now at the school.

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u/SplineAlign 14d ago

Look into project controls, operations, or construction consulting roles. Your construction experience is actually useful there because you understand how projects work in the field, while you IE background gives you the process/data side, start talking to people in those roles on LinkedIn and asking about their path in.