Jorge Alonso, a Cuban Instagram user known as @_jorgito_alonso, sparked a lively discussion with a single question about the role of Industrial Engineers in Cuba. His inquiry ignited a range of responses on Instagram, drawing attention to the practical applications of Industrial Engineering on the island.
Alonso's question, "What does an industrial engineer do?" quickly went viral, amassing over 800 comments, nearly 24,000 likes, and close to 300,000 views in under three days.
Examining the Role of Industrial Engineers
In the viral video, a young man enthusiastically announces that he has chosen Industrial Engineering as his "dream career." However, when asked about the specific duties of the profession, he candidly admits, "How should I know? I'm just a student, dude."
The video then shifts to a man with 48 years of experience in the field, who also fails to provide a clear answer. The most liked comment on the post, boasting 1,038 likes, humorously states: "Even scientists haven't figured out what an industrial engineer does."
Humor and Insight from the Responses
Another popular comment, playing on Cuba's love for baseball, reads: "An industrial engineer devises plays for the Industriales team," referencing Havana's beloved baseball team.
A more philosophical response, garnering 204 likes, succinctly states: "It all depends."
Pride in the profession was evident as well: "We're born to be the bosses of all engineering fields," one user claimed, while another offered a more critical view: "We study everything and know nothing. That's what we do."
Reflecting on Cuba's Employment Challenges
A comment that resonated with the realities of the Cuban job market declared: "Selling in micro-enterprises with the doctors." This echoes the situation where professionals abandon state jobs due to low wages, opting for private sector roles that might not align with their training.
One user labeled Industrial Engineering as "the associate degree of CUJAE," sharing an internet search result to illustrate the breadth of the field, which encompasses administration, statistics, supply chains, strategic planning, and more.
Another participant explained: "An industrial engineer ensures everything operates smoothly: organizing processes to avoid time waste, optimizing resources, and analyzing information for efficient decision-making. In short, they keep everything coordinated for smooth and continuous workflow."
Broader Implications and Comparisons
The question also prompted curiosity about other enigmatic careers. "Okay... And what does a graduate in Sociocultural Studies do?" one user asked.
Continuing the humor about academic professions, another user compared it internationally: "In other countries, it's called Business Administration—the same career. I don't understand why they complicate things here."
Industrial Engineering is taught at various Cuban universities, with the most comprehensive programs offered at CUJAE, where the five-year course has included computer technologies in its curriculum since 2018.
The industrial sector accounts for 22.5% of Cuba's economy, yet the disconnect between academic training and the actual job market remains a significant source of frustration for young Cubans.
Alonso's entertaining yet thought-provoking video fits into a well-established tradition of Cuban humor on social media, where satire about professions serves as a coping mechanism for the economic hardships and the gap between education and employment realities, both domestically and abroad.
Understanding the Role of Industrial Engineers in Cuba
What sparked the debate about Industrial Engineering on social media?
The debate was ignited by Jorge Alonso's question on Instagram, asking what exactly industrial engineers do, which resonated widely and led to humorous and insightful responses.
Why is there confusion about the role of Industrial Engineers in Cuba?
The confusion stems from a gap between academic education and the practical applications of the profession in Cuba, as well as a lack of clear communication about the field's duties.
How is the humor used in the debate reflective of Cuban society?
Humor in the debate reflects Cuban society's use of satire as a means to address and cope with the economic challenges and the disconnect between education and employment opportunities.