Kristen
What industry areas of Biomedical Engineering are the best for recent college graduates hoping to pursue a lifelong career in biomedical product engineering?
I am hoping to pursue a career in Biomedical Engineering. Since this field is so broad and full of various areas of concentration, I want to know what areas professionals think are the best to begin with. What areas will help those new to industry narrow down their interests and applicable skill set? For reference, I have a concentration in electrical engineering.
#biomedical-engineering #biomed #biotechnology #electrical-engineering #engineering #engineering-industry #first-job
31 answers
Natalya Peskin
Natalya’s Answer
I have Master degree s in Biomedical Engineering and Electro-Mechanical engineering, and have been working in medical device companies for over 20 years. I worked in companies that make mechanical devices, and my feel is that that particular part of the industry is on decline, electrical and software are on the raise. Tissue engineering is also on the rise, so is stem cell research.
Companies rarely look specifically for bioengineers, so I would go for electrical engineering or mechanical engineering (or electrical major, mechanical minor) and take at least some software classes. Also learn SolidWorks if you can - most engineering jobs have it as a requirement.
One specialty that is not very glamorous but present in every medical device company is Quality Engineering. Quality Engineers probably have the easiest time finding jobs in Medical Device industry, as they could move between different types of companies. Anyone with "engineering" in their degree could become a Quality Engineer.
Helpful comment
Paul Alabi
Victoria Sadowski
Victoria’s Answer
Hi Kristen.
I hope I can give you as full of an answer as possible. I graduated from Drexel with a Bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering last year. My concentration was electrical based in neuroengineering. I went through a co-op program so I had 3 chances in addition to the 2 research opportunities I pursued to yield an idea of what to pursue in Biomedical Engineering. After all of those experiences, I actually found I wanted to be something different (STEAM education tech/toys) but this is what I will say in brief.
If you want to have a fulfilling career and stay in the industry, the best way is to do a Bachelor's in one of the established engineering disciplines: Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Science or ensure that you do a dual degree in Biomedical and one of the established engineering disciplines. If you work in industry, people are greatly confused by what a Biomedical Engineer is even though I believe the major has been around since the 80s. Here's the thing though: Biomedical Engineers are extremely resourceful and I never regret my undergraduate experience. If you're resourceful, creative, and a bit lucky, the Bachelor's is a great route. Getting a master's or PhD and specializing further does help.
As to which area to start? Honestly, everyone here is going to tell you something different. I started as Biomaterials and worked around in different engineering disciplines which is my personal recommendation to understand what you like the most and learn the most. I ended up in neuroengineering and I program now mostly. If you opt to do a bunch of different areas, you also start to gain different perspectives from each, and, for the most part, the purpose of a Biomedical Engineer is to have a diverse set of knowledge. However, if you want to start out, I would start with computer science because if you realize you want to stem into other fields such as biomaterials or neuroengineering then you will have a quite valuable skill set especially for either automation or data analysis that either a company or research facility will want in addition to what you can learn on your own from textbooks or research papers.
Good luck with your path!
Tori S.
Victoria recommends the following next steps:
This is so true. I have a BS in biomedical engineering and often people don’t know what it is! luckily I had a concentration in electrical engineering so I always preface myself as a biomedical and electrical engineer which I have found is the best way to market myself in my preferred field (biotechnology). This is great advice though, dual majoring with a more pinpointed form of engineering will help a lot upon graduating. Good answer!
Joshua Powers
Thank you this is helpful
Otto
Nishat Tasnim
Nishat’s Answer
Biomedical instrumentation and biomaterials are the best areas of biomedical engineering to pursue a long-term career in biomedical products.
PAUL GENTHNER
PAUL’s Answer
When you think Biomedical, Think hospital Equipment ...
there are hundreds of pieces of equipment to be cared for within Biomed, many fall under general biomed : defibrillators, IV
pumps, blood pressure machines etc. But there are many areas of specialty like dialysis Machines, radiology scanners ( ct, mri, pet, ultrasound ) or even the many machines used in surgical areas. Usually a new Biomed joins a hospital as a Biomed 1 and after showing promise working on general biomedical equipment they might be selected to be sent off to school for a specialty area.
i hope this helps
Lama Ismail
Lama’s Answer
Can you explain why you think these are the best?
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
Bioinstrumentation and medical imaging are best for many reasons:
-Bioinstrumentation are used for diagnosis, treatment of disease, and vaccine research for example Oxford university and astrazenca used Thermofisher instrumentation for vaccine research.
- Imaging devices are also play a vital role for diagnosis and cancer treatment; using linacs and gamma knife helped to treat cancer.
- Imaging devices such as SPECT CT has the potential to help improve the clinical outcome of pancreas transplant.
- Imaging devices are used for Artificial organs research.
- Working in these fields will rich you with knowledge and unique skills.
- Highest salary.
Lama Ismail
Eman Alhamzah
Eman’s Answer
Eliya Mehdi Syed
Eliya Mehdi’s Answer
It all depends upon the company. Choice of the company makes your career or if you find the excellent boss, then it is very helpful for your career growth. I worked in Hospital and get lots of good opportunities so I think you should start your career from the Radiology side.It's a vast field and underdeveloped.If you need any help you can contact me through LinkedIn.
I wish you all the best,
Regards
Syed Eliya
Manager Biomedical
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliya-mehdi-syed-706a4889/
Deborah Yayra Nutsugah
Deborah Yayra’s Answer
ÖZGÜR ÖZÇELİK
ÖZGÜR’s Answer
I hope to give my best advice to you kristen. So you should start to concanrate about human health,anatomy,biology etc. this way shows you how to find their problem to figure out and understading them. my experiences taught me 'first step is understanding how to work' and 'how can I help'. If i help about this questions, i will be happy.
PS: sorry about my english.
Shadi Alsabki
Shadi’s Answer
biomedical is a bog field that you have to be creative and in same time to learn as much as you can and have experience
Derrick Jordan
Derrick’s Answer
Product Development
Ahmad Abdulwahed
Ahmad’s Answer
instrumental analysis and Maintenance in general ..Manufacturing and developing equipment
oscar luy bernal
oscar’s Answer
SYED DANISH ALI
SYED DANISH’s Answer
Critical care is my strongest area of work
Racha Kamel
Racha’s Answer
During the past 23 years, I experienced two different paths,
first one, after graduating I was aiming to continue as a lecturer & Instructor in my college where I graduated, so I continued an extra year (Diploma in Biomedical Engineering), then I finished another 3 years (Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering), then I had my Ph.D degree.
I worked in the education field from 1997 till 2012, and that was a great experience, since I was upgrading all my skills in researching and teaching skills.
I helped in teaching students and supervising lots of graduation projects. Dealing and sharing knowledge with the undergraduates is amazing, they have innovative ideas, and passion to learn and achieve more.
I gained a lot in this path, learned more about all concepts of biomedical engineering field, and had a great time while teaching. I encourage you to continue higher studies and work in the education field if you have enough patience to learn, research and teach.
Second path, I had an opportunity in a management role in a (Poly Clinic Medical Center/One Day Surgery Hospital), I worked for 7 years as a general manager, while all protocols of customer service, marketing, operation, purchasing and all details regarding machines and its maintenance were required to be under my supervision , it was a different world from teaching, but it was full of challenges. I learned by practice all aspects of management, and in the same time I achieved a lot in the managerial role.
At this stage I was hoping that if I have enough time to take either a Master degree in Healthcare management or MBA (Master in Business Administration), either one would helped more to lead and understand the healthcare business, so from my previous experience I encourage you to take Master degree in Biomedical Engineering, even if you do not want to work in the university, and then apply for Master in Healthcare management or MBA, this will benefit you to work in higher positions in hospitals, and in the same time you are fully responsible of all machines and its operation, in the end you are a biomedical engineer, you are the core of any hospital like the doctor and the nurse, you are one third of the hospital, and if you have an MBA or a master in healthcare management you will be more than half of the hospital, it worth it!
All the best for all of you
a bachelors in BME alone is worthless trash. I have one and I have been unemployed ever since I graduated. BME shouldn't even exist on that level. nobody should do a bachelors in BME, I wish I was dead instead of a Biomedical engineer.
anony mouse
Britt Kostraba
Britt’s Answer
Hi Kristen! There are very good recommendations given by the previous responses so I will try not to overlap them...
One of the big areas of healthcare that is relatively new compared to others is the sensors field. I've seen electrical engineers find success the bio-sensors field. You could find jobs in both the product development or the manufacturing areas of the industry.
Another area that is growing exponentially right now is the wearable sensors technologies. This could be anything from the common heart rate monitors and pedometers you see to implantable devices such as the cardioMEMS. There are new devices coming out with this technology every year! Hope this helps!
Biraj Shrestha
Biraj’s Answer
I have divided career in Biomedical Engineering into categories:
1. Wet lab-based careers: where you do tissue engineering stuff. I would suggest you this If you like microscopy. All of my friends who worked in this field got a Ph.D. and a job. Usually, girls are pretty good at this.
2. Biomedical Electronics: Just like electrical engineering, develop medical devices. You may need knowledge of computer engineering as well as programming Microcontrollers, circuit designs, etc.
3. Data science and signal processing: I think this field is getting popular and will have a big job market in the coming years. You might need expertise in one or more programming languages, statistical background especially for machine learning and Neural networks.
4. Quality control: In this field, you need statistical background. You need certifications such as six sigma, green belt, black belt etc.
Peter Eckert
Peter’s Answer
Anatomy and physiology supplanted by any sort of specialization like pharmacy, hematology, or embryology will give you a more applicable skill set.
Next a contrasting subject to understand from both sides like psychology.
Something like economics or finance might help enlighten the intricacies of insurance.
Lee Crabb
Lee’s Answer
Lee Crabb
LP Caron
LP’s Answer
However, there will always be old-fashioned surgical instruments, monitors, metallic implants, machines and various hardware used in hospitals so being able to design such hardware using your skills is going to get you far enough without narrowing down your expertise too much. For example, knowing how to do CAD, knowing how things are built, knowing how to code or knowing how to design electrical systems can be useful in many industries and certainly for designing medical devices. Such skills will always be needed.
A general knowledge on the regulatory requirements and the environment in which medical devices are used, but also knowledge on quality standards is already a very good start because it applies everywhere.
Sara Rabin
Sara’s Answer
Ibrahim Haidar Ahmad
Ibrahim’s Answer
As a master degree biomedical engineer living in Lebanon for many of you that doesnt know that lebanon is a middle eastern country with a day to day crisis, i believe that as a biomedical engineer lots of opportunities can knock on your door whilst holding such a degree.
starting with working in Universities Lab to help students in their curriculum also working as a biomedical engineer in a hospital which allows you to see and apply all the knowledge that you taught throughout your years in your University.
Also private medical companies needs sales and service engineer to maintain and sell their product.
and finally a start-up medical company that can range from so little and from home such as providing maintenance services for clincs and hospitals to selling medical machines or even consumables .
I'd like to add that those opportunities are available in a small country that doesnt have any manufacturing companies so if you live in a more developped country your list will goes on and on to research and development .
best Regars,
Ibrahim Haidar Ahmad
Rohail Aslam BME
Rohail Aslam’s Answer
Hi,
First of all you must figure out your interest according your expertise, let me elaborate the category of BME
There are Four categories of Biomedical Engineering service/sales field
1, Medical Imaging which leads you towards the imaging equipment
Like CT, MRI, Dexa, Flouroscopy, Angiography, Ultrasound machine, Cobalt60, Gamma Cameras, the mentioned modalities which will explore you in radiology or medical imaging,
2, Critical Care
Like All ICU, CCU, Operating Room and Hospital equipment including Life Saving and Emergency equipment,
3, Laboratory equipment, such as Centrifuges, Urine analyzer, chemistry analyzer, bio safety cabinets, fume hoods, TB labs, Stem cell Lab, biotechnology lab, histo pathology lab, Lab Automation, microbiology and molecular lab, all labs contain their specific equipment and you can go for lab depend on your interest,
4, Dentistry, dental side is also an interesting field for Biomedical Engineers,
And other fields are Hospital Management, equipment inventory management, designing and building according to the size and feasibility of equipment,
CSSD, Biomedical Engineer can also be the part of Incinerator and sterilization process on hospital, and Reverse Osmosis and De ionization of water for lab, as well as hospital too,
Biomedical Engineer can serve as a market leader in field of Sales and Marketing engineer for manufacturer and distributor firms,
At the end, i tried my best to convey you actual image of Biomedical Engineer, hope you will like and appreciate
Thanks
Kind Regards!
Kamaleldin Mohamed
Kamaleldin’s Answer
field service engineer
visalakshi chockalingam
visalakshi’s Answer
Muath Almahmoud
Muath’s Answer
Imaging and non imaging systems are just available in hospitals which make you in small circuit with professional people who already don't share that much of experience.
Dental clinic are very good area too but you need to have many types of skills.
Zachary Taylor
Zachary’s Answer
Hospitals or working for companies that design the medical devices.
Anila Jahangiri
Anila’s Answer
I concentrated in Neural Engineering which is basically application of electrical engineering knowledge to Neuroscience. My PhD research was related to suppression of in-vitro epileptic seizure like activity in rat's brain using electrical stimulation. Study of neurons and how they transmit data is a wonderful application of your electrical engineering education.
Hi Kristin.
It all depends upon the company. Choice of the company makes your career or if you find the excellent boss, then it is very helpful for your career growth. I worked in Hospital and get lots of good opportunities so I think you should start your career from the Radiology side.It's a vast field and underdeveloped.If you need any help you can contact me through LinkedIn.
I wish you all the best,
Regards
Syed Eliya
Manager Biomedical
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliya-mehdi-syed-706a4889/
Eliya Mehdi Syed
Mohd Baquar
Mohd’s Answer
Biomedical instrumentation and equipment are the best areas of biomedical engineering to pursue a long-term career in biomedical products, in the field of new era...
It is to Good
Enoch Raj
Forough Askarisiahooie
Forough’s Answer
Biosensors for disease detection, medical image analysis and instrumentation, medical device technician, designing and fabricating implants (artificial heart, vascular grafts, ventricular assist device, artificial limbs, etc)
abdul jaleel mannan
abdul jaleel’s Answer
<span style="color: rgb(93, 103, 106);">Biomedical instrumentation and biomaterials are the best areas of biomedical engineering to pursue a long-term career in biomedical products</span>