Alexander
How can I use an MBA degree after attending business school to help me bring my Biomedical Engineering expertise to the business world.
I am a high school senior who will be attending Columbia university next year and I plan on majoring in Biomedical Engineering. #business #engineering
4 answers
Pete de Graaf, PE
Pete’s Answer
Hi Alexander,
Horatiu gave excellent advice. Get some work experience after graduating with your biomedical engineering degree before you decide on pursuing an MBA. You may find a great job after graduation and after a few years, you may decide to pursue a masters or even an M.D., depending on where your career trajectory is heading, instead of an MBA. For now, just focus on learning as much as you can about biomedical engineering. Talk to other biomedical engineers already working in the field, research new medical devices, review academic journals such as the Journal of Biomedical Engineering, get good at physics (both mechanics and electromagnetics) - anything that you can get your hands on and brain wrapped around that is related in the field. And also, as Horatiu mentioned, when you're in engineering school, take some other classes such as art (particularly sculpture) and creative writing, psychology (especially industrial psychology and biopsychology), philosophy (such as philosophy of science and logic), dance, economics, etc. Basically, anything that will help you achieve breadth and depth as an engineer which will help you become a well-rounded, creative and hands-on engineer. I took quite a few classes in philosophy and there was no other subject that taught me how to think better than engaging in philosophical inquiry and that has been a priceless addition to my repertoire as a practicing engineer. It sounds like a lot of work but, if you love what you're doing, you're not really working, are you? Good luck.
Andrew Tran
Andrew’s Answer
To answer your question: You can do several things.
1. As an MBA, you can lead a product development team to create new products or improve an existing one to the market.
2. With your understanding in Engineering, you can be a wonderful manager by understanding your team member.
3. Investing in the field that you familiar with such investing evaluator for the bio industry (including pharm. Chem, Foods, oil-based products....)
Again, keep thriving.
Kalyan C. Mutyala
Kalyan C.’s Answer
Bio-medical engineering is a very good choice that you have made. An engineers primary goal is to make use of scientific findings to actually solve a problem that exists or exciting. An MBA on top of it definitely helps you in developing a different perspective and identify the business opportunities (only existing problems are considered by you rather than the exciting ones :) ). This is going to be a unique combination (engineering + MBA) and going to help you a lot in your career growth.
Horatiu G. Stefan
Horatiu G.’s Answer
Biomedical Engineering is an interesting and promising field. Do you have any ideas for how you'd like to apply that degree in the professional world? Do you see yourself in a research capacity, in a strategic / operational role, or even as a consultant? Depending on the direction you choose, an MBA may or may not make sense. Many young professionals pursue an MBA to 'pivot' or make a career change. Some pursue it to advance at their current companies. In some fields, an MBA is, in a sense, a deviation that may not help you advance. Something to consider.
The other point that I want to emphasize is that you should work for a minimum of 4 years, ideally in two different roles or functions, prior to going to business school. Experience will provide you with context for what you are learning in the classroom, which will in turn allow you to get more from the time and $ you invest in business school.
Good luck ... and remember to have fun in college. Promise you'll take a dance class, and art class, a philosophy class, and a psychology class. At a minimum. You'll thank me later. ;)