Ergonomists

High School

High school is not too early to begin preparing for a career in ergonomics. You should follow a broad college preparatory curriculum with a concentration in the sciences. Courses in the life and physical sciences (biology, anatomy, health, and physics) will be particularly helpful, as will classes in research methods, writing and speech, mathematics, and computer science. Business courses will also help you learn more about the business world and the opportunities available for ergonomists. Any classes that broaden your knowledge of people and how they work, and those that sharpen your skills in communication, will be very important. Knowledge of modern foreign languages may also increase opportunities as global, multicultural economies are developing rapidly.

Postsecondary Training

Ergonomists need solid skills in three basic areas: business administration, science and technology, and communications. A career in ergonomics begins with an undergraduate degree in one of the behavioral, biomedical, health, social, or computer sciences or engineering. Aspiring ergonomists take whichever courses are needed to complete a degree in their chosen field. Most science-based degrees require courses in anatomy, psychology, physiology, statistics, mathematics, and education. If a concentration in ergonomics is available at your college or university, you might take additional courses such as operations research, demographics, biomechanics, kinesiology, psychology, work analysis and measurement, safety and health analysis techniques, and design methodologies. The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) offers a list of educational programs in human factors/ergonomics at its Web site, https://www.hfes.org/Education-Career-Resources/Academic-Programs.

Additional courses in business, writing, and communications will help you communicate your ideas and suggestions to the people with whom you will be working. Again, knowledge of foreign languages will allow you to work more globally.

Many ergonomists also earn a master's degree in ergonomics/human factors. Others earn degrees in industrial engineering or applied psychology along with a concentration in ergonomics/human factors. A doctoral degree is an advantage for those who want to pursue research and teaching at the university level or for those who want to develop specialized methodologies for ergonomics in advanced technologies.

The HFES reports that more than 40 percent of its members hold a doctoral degree, about 33 percent hold a master's degree, and about 15 percent have a bachelor's degree (as the highest degree held). The HFES also notes that about 15 percent of its members are students.

Other Education or Training

The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society offers webinars and other continuing education (CE) opportunities. Past webinars included User Experience Professionals: Designing Your Career, Human Factors/Ergonomics Standards, and Modeling and Simulation Applications in Human Factors. The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers offers classroom and online courses in applied ergonomics. Recent classes included Applied Ergonomics, Advanced Ergonomics Analysis and Design, OHSA and Ergonomics, and Principles of Occupational Ergonomics. The User Experience Professionals Association also provides CE classes and workshops. Contact these organizations for more information.