3 answers
Deborah
Student
Elizabeth, New Jersey
1
Question
Updated
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How does the transition process from a being a biomedical science/engineering major in college to working in field feel and look like? #Spring26
As someone who’s majoring in biomedical i want to know different routes and paths people have taken.
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3 answers
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Software Engineer and Career Mentor
674
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
College and the workplace are quite different, but both offer exciting opportunities. In college, you focus on academics and theory, while in the workplace, real-world experience and soft skills are key. Engaging in projects, labs, internships, workshops, and volunteering can help you transition smoothly. In biomedical science, roles require attention to detail and problem-solving, while biomedical engineering involves managing technical tasks alongside deadlines, budgets, and teamwork. Getting involved in labs, shadowing, and informational interviews early on can help you discover what suits you best, and it’s perfectly normal to feel unsure at first.
After graduation, biomedical science offers paths in research, clinical labs, pharmaceuticals, public health, genetics, bioinformatics, regulatory work, and medical sales. Biomedical engineering opens doors to medical devices, clinical engineering, biomechanics, prosthetics, imaging systems, quality assurance, and regulatory roles. Your career path may change early on and is often influenced by mentorship, experience, and networking. Choosing electives that match your interests and exploring areas you enjoy can guide your direction. You’ll find your path by trying different roles, asking questions, and being open to feedback while focusing on your strengths and passions. Building skills in communication, teamwork, adaptability, and using tools like Excel can strengthen your early career.
After graduation, biomedical science offers paths in research, clinical labs, pharmaceuticals, public health, genetics, bioinformatics, regulatory work, and medical sales. Biomedical engineering opens doors to medical devices, clinical engineering, biomechanics, prosthetics, imaging systems, quality assurance, and regulatory roles. Your career path may change early on and is often influenced by mentorship, experience, and networking. Choosing electives that match your interests and exploring areas you enjoy can guide your direction. You’ll find your path by trying different roles, asking questions, and being open to feedback while focusing on your strengths and passions. Building skills in communication, teamwork, adaptability, and using tools like Excel can strengthen your early career.
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
238
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Deborah,
Thank you very much for your thoughtful question. I'm truly delighted that you are going to be a biomedical engineer.
The modern work environment, including the medical field, is characterized by technology, processes, practices and people.
In the area of technology, you will definitely have opportunities to get involved in the design, manufacture, operation and maintenance of medical equipment and appendages used in rehabilitation solutions to improve independence of people with physical impairments. Opportunities for experiential learning are vast and can be very fulfilling. I'm a retired mechanical engineer who spent all of his career in the manufacturing sector and most of it in the beer industry and mostly in maintenance roles. During this period, I had the privilege of taking up other roles ranging from production engineer, senior production supervisor, internal auditor of quality management systems, facilitator of performance management and trainer of world class manufacturing best practices. Many of them, in practice, can be additional roles attached to your main role. As such you may assume them concurrently as the business deems fit.
Engineering design is very exciting too. Practical knowledge in maintenance engineering significantly improves your design instincts in providing practical solutions. Getting involved in production work sharpens your instincts for processes - opportunities for innovation can be limitless.
Good practices are about what people do at the place of work to create excellence. Best practices are generally developed and improved by everyone involved in work in the areas in question. Some end up becoming consultants in it. People management skills are very important in getting the best out of the workforce. I've seen engineers become excellent HR practitioners at the place of work.
Ideally, it's important to love and enjoy what you do. Fulfilling human needs comes first.
In real life, the career opportunities that come your way can take you to places and areas you may not have envisioned. It is important to try to be ready to embrace as many of them as possible. Interest, curiosity and open-mindedness are key though.
I truly hope this sheds some light on your query. Best of luck in your studies & career.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful question. I'm truly delighted that you are going to be a biomedical engineer.
The modern work environment, including the medical field, is characterized by technology, processes, practices and people.
In the area of technology, you will definitely have opportunities to get involved in the design, manufacture, operation and maintenance of medical equipment and appendages used in rehabilitation solutions to improve independence of people with physical impairments. Opportunities for experiential learning are vast and can be very fulfilling. I'm a retired mechanical engineer who spent all of his career in the manufacturing sector and most of it in the beer industry and mostly in maintenance roles. During this period, I had the privilege of taking up other roles ranging from production engineer, senior production supervisor, internal auditor of quality management systems, facilitator of performance management and trainer of world class manufacturing best practices. Many of them, in practice, can be additional roles attached to your main role. As such you may assume them concurrently as the business deems fit.
Engineering design is very exciting too. Practical knowledge in maintenance engineering significantly improves your design instincts in providing practical solutions. Getting involved in production work sharpens your instincts for processes - opportunities for innovation can be limitless.
Good practices are about what people do at the place of work to create excellence. Best practices are generally developed and improved by everyone involved in work in the areas in question. Some end up becoming consultants in it. People management skills are very important in getting the best out of the workforce. I've seen engineers become excellent HR practitioners at the place of work.
Ideally, it's important to love and enjoy what you do. Fulfilling human needs comes first.
In real life, the career opportunities that come your way can take you to places and areas you may not have envisioned. It is important to try to be ready to embrace as many of them as possible. Interest, curiosity and open-mindedness are key though.
I truly hope this sheds some light on your query. Best of luck in your studies & career.
Robert Epstein
General Manager
123
Answers
Wake Forest
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Hi Deborah,
As a biomed engineer, the different routes have been many for me. My student job with medical laser and optics research led me to designing devices for military night-vision imaging systems. This experience then led me to producing infrared viewing devices for medical imaging thermography. This evolved into using my skills with infrared technology in the mining and fire prevention industries. I did a short stint as a medical tech writer for a software company, teaching hospital staff how to use medical instrumentation in their daily practice. Next I managed a medical instrumentation company providing hospital equipment repair services to a multinational group of hospitals.
Your own personal skill set and experience opens more doors than narrowly defining yourself as a biomed. I’ve enjoyed all my “routes”—research, design, manufacturing, management. So always remember: if you’ve tried hard with one specialty and it lost its luster, you can always try another path in a different field. Best of luck!
As a biomed engineer, the different routes have been many for me. My student job with medical laser and optics research led me to designing devices for military night-vision imaging systems. This experience then led me to producing infrared viewing devices for medical imaging thermography. This evolved into using my skills with infrared technology in the mining and fire prevention industries. I did a short stint as a medical tech writer for a software company, teaching hospital staff how to use medical instrumentation in their daily practice. Next I managed a medical instrumentation company providing hospital equipment repair services to a multinational group of hospitals.
Your own personal skill set and experience opens more doors than narrowly defining yourself as a biomed. I’ve enjoyed all my “routes”—research, design, manufacturing, management. So always remember: if you’ve tried hard with one specialty and it lost its luster, you can always try another path in a different field. Best of luck!