3 answers
Elijah
Student
Canton, Georgia
5
Questions
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Biomedical Engineers how did you get where you are?
I'm just curious as to what you did to get where you are.
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3 answers
Gina T
R&D Engineer
1
Answer
Marlborough, Massachusetts
Updated
Gina’s Answer
Once I graduated high school, I went to a 4-year university and majored in Bioengineering. Majoring in bioengineering rather than biomedical engineering allowed me to learn about different types of bioengineering such as tissue engineering, metabolic engineering and materials science. From there I was able to figure out what I was interested in. My junior and senior year I focused in on medical device by taking medical device specific classes. Between my junior and senior year of college I did an internship in quality for a startup company. Found that quality was not for me but it was a really great experience. Once I graduated college, I returned to the startup company but as an R&D engineer. Since then, I've continued taking roles in R&D. I did not get a master's degree after getting advice from professors and people within the industry but that could've been done at my university with an extra year of schooling by doing some of the graduate level courses senior year. Another option is going to a 2-year college then transferring into a 4-year engineering program but you have to ensure the credits will transfer over.
Christos Kampouridis
Systems Engineer at Stealth Biomedical Startup
19
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Christos’s Answer
Hi Elijah,
I started by studying mechanical engineering in my undergraduate degree. My first job out of college was working in environmental engineering sensors which I didn't particularly enjoy. I then went back to graduate school (partly to redeem myself after doing poorly in my undergraduate studies). After that, one of the biggest employees near me was Amgen in Thousand Oaks, California and I was hired as an entry level design engineer for medical devices. That was my first introduction in the world of biomedical engineering and I enjoyed it so much that I've been working as a biomedical engineer for the past 5 years. It's interesting to note that I started as a design engineer and I am now working as a systems engineer; biomedical engineer doesn't usually exist as a role in itself! In my current role I do a mix of mechanical engineering, biochemistry, software engineering and program management :)
I started by studying mechanical engineering in my undergraduate degree. My first job out of college was working in environmental engineering sensors which I didn't particularly enjoy. I then went back to graduate school (partly to redeem myself after doing poorly in my undergraduate studies). After that, one of the biggest employees near me was Amgen in Thousand Oaks, California and I was hired as an entry level design engineer for medical devices. That was my first introduction in the world of biomedical engineering and I enjoyed it so much that I've been working as a biomedical engineer for the past 5 years. It's interesting to note that I started as a design engineer and I am now working as a systems engineer; biomedical engineer doesn't usually exist as a role in itself! In my current role I do a mix of mechanical engineering, biochemistry, software engineering and program management :)
Darrin G. Dumag CBET
Biomedical Engineering / Biomedical Tech
3
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
Darrin G.’s Answer
Hi Elijah,
I am also a Biomedical Engineer, also know as a Biomedical Tech.
Here in UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, we are known as General BioMed's, and we repair, calibrate and troubleshoot all medical devices that would touch a doctor, nurse or patient.
I started in the Military, were we are trained in an accelerated DOD (Department of Defense) 11 month course / 10 hrs per day, 5 days per week
In the Military program, individuals have to score highly on a pre-test, before given the opportunity to request schooling as a Biomed Tech.
After my military obligation, and military On -The-Job training (OJT) I worked for medical device repair depot and medical device rental company's until I had enough experience to work for a Hospital were they require a Journeyman level competency (min. 5 yrs). I love my career and place of employment and I continue to believe in helping and working with children and knowing I make it safer for them in a time when they can not protect themselves.
Best of Luck to you.
I am also a Biomedical Engineer, also know as a Biomedical Tech.
Here in UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital, we are known as General BioMed's, and we repair, calibrate and troubleshoot all medical devices that would touch a doctor, nurse or patient.
I started in the Military, were we are trained in an accelerated DOD (Department of Defense) 11 month course / 10 hrs per day, 5 days per week
In the Military program, individuals have to score highly on a pre-test, before given the opportunity to request schooling as a Biomed Tech.
After my military obligation, and military On -The-Job training (OJT) I worked for medical device repair depot and medical device rental company's until I had enough experience to work for a Hospital were they require a Journeyman level competency (min. 5 yrs). I love my career and place of employment and I continue to believe in helping and working with children and knowing I make it safer for them in a time when they can not protect themselves.
Best of Luck to you.