I'm doing some research on the ID career path and am looking for info on different routes this career path can take (job titles, what you do, salary ranges to expect if you are willing to share, and any advice you would give to someone just starting off). Also, if you have any insight on the masters program and what it can do for you, please do share.

I was an ID grad. When I was in school I think probably 60% of students went into some type of technical sales and mostly worked for wholesale distributors in the electrical, hydraulic, PVF, plumbing, or building material sectors. Others, like myself, went more into procurement/materials management. I've had titles ranging from category manager, materials lead, procurement specialist, etc. I've also known some guys who have taken quality management roles for manufacturers.

Salaries are going to vary quite a bit in early career depending on what kind of path you take. A first year salesman may only clear $50-$60k while a first year procurement analyst at a large O&G company may draw closer to $75k or more. Many jobs are going to normalize in the low to mid six figure range as you get closer to 10 years experience. Some sales roles will shoot up much quicker depending on the individual or company.

Most of your ID grads are probably tied in with O&G or commercial construction. However, I've taken interviews with the likes of Google, Apple, and SpaceX. A lot of high tech companies have recruited O&G pretty hard in the last few years and there are some ID grads among those.

I've heard good things about the masters program. Most who already have a bachelors in ID will not pursue the masters since it has most of the same coursework. I do know there are a good number of business and construction management degrees who decide to add on a masters in ID. This is especially true if they're already working in the distribution business and looking at running a division or taking on a sales leadership role.

TommyGun said:

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I was an ID grad. When I was in school I think probably 60% of students went into some type of technical sales and mostly worked for wholesale distributors in the electrical, hydraulic, PVF, plumbing, or building material sectors. Others, like myself, went more into procurement/materials management. I've had titles ranging from category manager, materials lead, procurement specialist, etc. I've also known some guys who have taken quality management roles for manufacturers.

Salaries are going to vary quite a bit in early career depending on what kind of path you take. A first year salesman may only clear $50-$60k while a first year procurement analyst at a large O&G company may draw closer to $75k or more. Many jobs are going to normalize in the low to mid six figure range as you get closer to 10 years experience. Some sales roles will shoot up much quicker depending on the individual or company.

Most of your ID grads are probably tied in with O&G or commercial construction. However, I've taken interviews with the likes of Google, Apple, and SpaceX. A lot of high tech companies have recruited O&G pretty hard in the last few years and there are some ID grads among those.

I've heard good things about the masters program. Most who already have a bachelors in ID will not pursue the masters since it has most of the same coursework. I do know there are a good number of business and construction management degrees who decide to add on a masters in ID. This is especially true if they're already working in the distribution business and looking at running a division or taking on a sales leadership role.

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I'm not in distribution now, but I have the construction science degree and 5 yrs of experience in the industry along with 10 yrs of direct sales experience (lots of cold calling and closing). In your opinion, is the MID going to open doors to the companies you mentioned above and the others that typically recruit the ID grads?

I think it could definitely open doors for you especially if you already have an extensive background in sales and construction. I'd also recommend you reach out to Jay Johnson or Norm Clark within the ID faculty. Those guys are pretty tuned in with industry and they invite a lot of companies to come speak to their students. They'll also shoot straight with you based on what you're trying to accomplish with your education/career.

I'm very familiar with Norm Clark. I'll be sure to chase him down.

Class of 99 ID. Happy to share any information I can as far as career path/salary, etc. I did not go into the distribution side, I went into technical sales and have been in that capacity for some time.

ID grad here as well (username checks out).

I went straight into technical sales after graduated and been doing it since (4 different companies).
Pretty solid income but nothing crazy. Sales can be stressful, especially when things are slow, but so can any job.

Work in the industry.
-Started at an inside sales rep -$40k for 7 months

-Moved to outside sales for same company 100% commission which averaged to almost $100k but I paid my own expenses which were about $30k/year. Did that for 3.5 years and was offered a job with one of my manufacturers.

-Current role is Vice President of Sales for an industrial manufacturer and clear $120k/year 10-20% bonus. Been with them for two years and it'd take a lot for me to leave. Company is fantastic. Don't micro manage at all, leave me alone, expenses are whatever I want (eight guys spend 2 million/year on expenses...which is insane I know), get to use my own cards for points if I want, leave my travel schedule up to me.

I got my MID in 2016 and would be happy to talk to you about the experience. Feel free to shoot me an email and we can talk. jordan singer 2010 at Gmail dot com

lawless89 said:

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Work in the industry.
-Started at an inside sales rep -$40k for 7 months

-Moved to outside sales for same company 100% commission which averaged to almost $100k but I paid my own expenses which were about $30k/year. Did that for 3.5 years and was offered a job with one of my manufacturers.

-Current role is Vice President of Sales for an industrial manufacturer and clear $120k/year 10-20% bonus. Been with them for two years and it'd take a lot for me to leave. Company is fantastic. Don't micro manage at all, leave me alone, expenses are whatever I want (eight guys spend 2 million/year on expenses...which is insane I know), get to use my own cards for points if I want, leave my travel schedule up to me.

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Any chance your company is currently hiring? I'm an ID grad, class of '16.

Unfortunately, we are not.

I sent you a PM...... I have direct knowledge of the entire program.

We may have a job coming open.

Email is above

Why don't you bump that expense budget down and bump your salary up to $200k base with bonus and profit sharing. Expenses are way too high compared to salary.

I'd rather have the money in my account.

SO*TX*AG09 said:

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Why don't you bump that expense budget down and bump your salary up to $200k base with bonus and profit sharing. Expenses are way too high compared to salary.

I'd rather have the money in my account.

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Because then he'd have to pay taxes on it?

Also, if the expenses are travel and client entertainment, how do you expect to get the value out of those activities if you're just paying that budget into salary?

SweaterVest said:

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SO*TX*AG09 said:

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Why don't you bump that expense budget down and bump your salary up to $200k base with bonus and profit sharing. Expenses are way too high compared to salary.

I'd rather have the money in my account.

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Because then he'd have to pay taxes on it?

Also, if the expenses are travel and client entertainment, how do you expect to get the value out of those activities if you're just paying that budget into salary?

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And because it's not my call. I'd rather have the $200k personally. But they've been doing it this way for a long time and with it being family owned, not going to have much luck in changing it. We don't even have a budget for expenses, that's just what it comes out to on average. But what I do like is that they are very hands off with my position and let me do what I want. In fact, I'm the only employee in TX. I'll also add that I get to take my wife on some of the trips if it works out and all of her expenses are covered too. So we get quite a bit of benefits through the budget-less expenses.

I'm not sure I could be micromanaged for a pay increase at another company. It's a trade off...make more, but be put through the stress? Or make less(but still comfortable for only being 31) and be hands off? Both would be nice, but the grass isn't always greener.

I was in the first class Norm taught. Summer of '98, I think?
Really enjoyed it!

2003 ID
2009 MID

Did about 12 months in inside sales, hated it, moved into an analyst role in offshore drilling, then onto an operations engineer position, now I'm a senior project manager for a midstream / downstream oilfield services company. I work my ass off, but get very well compensated and have had recent convos with my boss and boss's boss about taking over the project management team leadership role for the whole US region next year.

Class of '02 ID grad

Went to work in transportation/logistics right after graduation with the railroad making $56K.

Decided that wasn't for me and took a cut to go into purchasing. Had to go in at ground level (because regardless of what degree you have, almost everyone requires buying experience before they'll hire you as a buyer). I did about 10 years purchasing with various Foodservice/grocery companies. Laid off twice well before COVID was even imagined. Foodservice isn't as stable as one would think.

Moved to O&G doing transportation analytics. Decided O&G wasn't where I wanted to be.

I'm now in medical device purchasing/inventory management/production planning making low six figures.

I never wanted to do sales when I graduated like most. The money might be there, but it just wasn't for me.

Graduated in 92 ID

Went the logistics route and then vessel operations. Currently, operations manager for company manufacturing and delivering fuel to ships in the Houston area. I run the operations for a processing plant, tank terminal with inland barges and offshore ships.

Last year was over $130k with a crazy bonus of 40%. Don't think it will be that much this year.

wow...didn't realize he was so new at the time. I must have taken his class around 2000 or so.

Also had Barry Lawrence and it looks like he's still kicking.