Contact Information:
Name:
Mr. Robert Barkman

E-mail address:
robertbarkman@cox.net

Education Information
Undergraduate Major:
Industrial Engineering

Degree Received:
BS

Graduation Year:
12/2001

Advanced Degree Received:
MBA

Activities, student organizations, leadership roles, etc. in which I was involved at UT:
UT Rugby

Job Information
Employer Name:
Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Employer Web Site:
http://www.nnsy1.navy.mil/

Present Job Title:
LeanSigma Black belt

Brief description of my job responsibilities, e.g. a typical week in my job:
Process Improvement engineer. I focus on incorporating Lean, Six Sigma and TOC to functional area processes. These processes can be shop floor type(machining, drilling, install of ship alts) or office (creating technical work docs, maintaining work procedures) work.

Suggestions I would give to undergraduate students with regard to courses, internships, and other means of preparation for my career field:
Courses - all engineers and especially industrial engineers need to take business course. At least Accounting, Economics and Finance. Engineering course of emphasis is material sciences, operation research and a process analysis class Industrial Engineers looking to purse process improvement activities should definitely have a firm stats background and great understanding of : Quality Control (SPC), DOE and Manufacturing processes and Engineering Economy.
All Engineers need to CO-OP, it grades are great and you should focus on them, but your ability to apply your knowledge to "real" project is priceless. Well, not really priceless, we you graduate an employer will pay you good money to do this day in and day out.

My career path in getting to this position:
I started as an entry level industrial engineer and recieved the training for LeanSigma Black belt -basicly industrial engineering with more focus on customer versus processes.

Other advice for students interested in gaining entry into and pursuing a career in this field:
CO-OP; CO-OP; CO-OP

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