Blanchard is collecting audio, video, and other data from training aircraft to improve standards for pilot training programs. Faculty and students are evaluating new products developed by Flyte Comm of Florida, which include custom delay, arrival, and weather products and satellite-transmitted aircraft activity information that is available on the Internet. The availability of quality students is attractive to companies seeking applied research solutions. Job outlook is good Citing a forecast by the National Research Council that the demand for human factors experts will exceed the supply of qualified candidates for several years, Garland is confident students will find plenty of opportunities. He says the software and aviation industries are probably the two biggest employers of human factors professionals.
Graduates find jobs in several major areas.
For example, as ergonomists, they design products, physical environments, and work areas. As human factors specialists, they assess performance, evaluate workloads, and select and train personnel, as well as design products and environments. As safety engineers, they develop safety programs for employees and evaluate workplace safety.