How I Learned Industrial Engineering (and How You Can Too)?
In this post I will share methods that I used to learn (and still using) Industrial Engineering and how you can too learn it. These are non-traditional learning methods but very effective. You can copy my techniques and learn Industrial Engineering.
Learning by doing:
I don't have an Industrial Engineering degree. Whatever I know and
learned about Industrial Engineering is by doing it myself. I read
Industrial Engineering topics in college. I had seen many IEs to
practice Industrial Engineering methods and to use IE tools in factories
during my Internship and Graduation Project. When I was heading the
Production Planning Department in an export house, I used to implement
basic Industrial Engineering tools in the factory. I did many mistakes
initially but I learned from my mistakes.
So you can too learn Industrial Engineering by doing and practicing it
on the floor. While doing something first time, you might make mistakes.
That is the way to learn things. Keep it up. I learned production
planning and merchandising also by doing it.
Learning by teaching others:
I love to teach learners. Earlier I used teach my subordinates. When I
was consultant I taught many participants from client companies. When I
teach others I learn many things in the teaching process. You might read
IE tutorials (articles) in OCS. Do you know how I learned all those
topics? All because of OCS readers who force me to learn, so that I can
teach them later and can write new tutorials. I get questions on various
topics from OCS readers. I prepare the answers and when I prepare
answer for a particular question, I need to research and read the topic
first. Thus I learn it.
To learn IE you can too start teaching your subordinates or juniors. You
don't need to be master in your subject to teach others. Whatever you
know more than others you can start teaching with that only. When you
start teaching, you will be asked questions by your students. It is not
necessary that you have to know all answers. If get chance you can learn
the answer of the question and answer to your students. If don't find
your student start teaching others from production department.
If nobody asks you question, head over to OCS Forum and give answer to the questions that are posted there by other members.
Learning by asking questions:
This is the easiest way of learning something. When I meet with
Industrial Engineers in export houses I ask different types of questions
to them for clarification. I get answers for most of the questions, as
they are working on this field for many years they know the answer. You
can also start asking question to your seniors, when you need to know
something. If you don't have senior or experienced colleague, you are
welcome to send your questions to me or post your questions to the OCS Forum.
Reading articles online and/or off line:
I read articles on magazines or in the Internet daily. I learn many
things by reading and also discover new areas of learning by reading. My
reading topics are not limited to apparel production and Industrial
engineering only. I read various topics to get ideas.
You can also start reading technical magazines related to Apparel Production Management and Industrial Engineering. If you don’t like to spend money on print magazines, read free articles on the Internet. By reading articles on Industrial Engineering you can increase your knowledge and you can teach others a new topic.
You can also start reading technical magazines related to Apparel Production Management and Industrial Engineering. If you don’t like to spend money on print magazines, read free articles on the Internet. By reading articles on Industrial Engineering you can increase your knowledge and you can teach others a new topic.
Discussing topics with your colleagues and seniors:
This is a great way of learning. Currently I don't have Industrial
Engineering colleague. But I spent 2 and half years with a group of IEs.
That time we had lot of discussion on Industrial Engineering. Still I
practice this process of learning. As I said I regularly visit garment
export houses. When I meet with factory IEs, we discuss things whatever
we find interesting, within IE or out of IE topics.
Watching videos on YouTube:
YouTube is a great source for learning by watching videos. You will find
numerous videos on sewing operations for different products, semi
automatic and fully automatic sewing machines, and different types of
material handling equipment. When you watch videos, observe it closely.
You can learn many things like, good movements, workstation layout,
working speed, machine types, attachment and guides used and many more
things.
Conclusion:
There is no end of learning. And nobody can improve his/her performance
continuously without learning. I have explained above how to learn
Industrial Engineering. But these techniques are applicable to anything
you like to learn.
