Industrial Automation Commemorates 10 Years of Bachelors Degree Program
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Last week was an important milestone for the Industrial Automation (INDA) program at Bakersfield College as it marked the 10-year anniversary of offering Bachelor of Science degrees. The four-year program focuses on the use of computer technology, electronics, and control systems in industrial environments. The program has experienced substantial growth since its inception and graduates from the program have gone on to work for NASA, AERA Energy, The Wonderful Company, Tesla, and many more.
Carlos Medina, Program Manager for INDA, talked about the history and successes of the program. “This is our ten-year anniversary of the program,” he said, “we were approved to offer a bachelor’s degree in 2015, and we accepted our first students in 2016.” Since then, the program has had more than 150 students receive bachelor’s degrees, and the May 2026 graduating class featured 34 students who completed the program. The starting salary for students completing their AS degree is around $70,000 a year, and students earning their BS degree earning around $100,000 a year. “We have students working at NASA, Boeing, and local companies like Amazon, the Walmart distribution center, Bolthouse Farms, and others” said Carlos, “nearly all the big companies - we have students from our program working there.”
Francisco Hernandez, a former BC student who earned an AS and a BS in the Industrial Automation program, talked about his academic experience. “It’s a really great program and a very welcoming environment, and I had a lot of fun working with the robots and software,” he said. After starting the program, he was offered three different internships where he received more training while building his skillset. After earning his bachelor's degree, he soon began his career in the industry. “I have a full-time job now,” he said, “I work for a small company called Ten-Star Farming in Bakersfield. One of my main duties is operating a computer vision system that helps detect any defects of the root crops.”
Roy Allard, BC Professor of Electronics and Industrial Engineering, has been an instructor in the INDA program since it started in 2016. He also shared his thoughts on the significance of the 10-year anniversary of the INDA bachelors’ degree program. “We are celebrating 10 years of the program and the successes of our students,” he said, “that’s really what it’s all about. We work hard to make sure our students are highly employable.” He also talked about how the local industries partnered with BC to build the local work force. “Before this degree program, the companies would come and talk to us and they were having to go out of state, and out of the country, to get people with the knowledge that they needed to work in their facilities,” he said, “and now we have students working all throughout Kern County and the United States. Our program has helped our local industries and beyond.”
According to recent Kern County employment projections, the need for Industrial Automation bachelor’s degree graduates continues to rise. Between 2014 and 2023, labor market projections show a 21% increase in occupations for which the degree prepares students. This far exceeds California’s or the United States average. Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Automation have had nearly 100% employment rate with an average salary of $80,000.
Congratulations to the Industrial Automation department on this momentous occasion and accomplishment, and for creating strong, stable career opportunities for our BC students. We look forward to more growth and future success stories for students who complete the program.
