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entering medical industry with EE degree?

Former Member

Hi Element14 lurkers, I am a freshman Electrical Engineer student at Arizona State University, I'm half way through my first semester with a 4.0, currently working as a web developer, and setting up internships. Originally I was planning on going into the defense industry and working with embedded systems, security and maybe even robotics throughout my career after graduation. But lately I have developed a great interest in biomedical engineering and so my question is:

 

If I minor in Biomedical engineering coupled with my EE major, what are the career options?

 

Any info on companies that are developing medical products that are more electronic than mechanical, or any other info would be great!

 

Thank you!

Parents
  • 0

    I am not sure if I qualify as a lurker, but I have done a fair amount of hiring young engineers to do a lot of different jobs.

    A biomedical background with a EE degree could give you some nice options.  There are a lot of government and civilian companies who need engineers with medical background for building devices and for testing the effects of man portable systems before they go into deployment.

     

    Make sure that you have a solid background in systems engineering, software development and hardware/software integration.  There is always a need for those skills.  Given the intense interest in new medical devices, you might find a good fit with medical device developers.  Beyond those needs, there is always a need for someone with a background in Human Factors engineering for all consumer oriented manufacturers and designers.

     

    The key thing you need to do is make sure that you really understand the material and can translate medical and engineering requirements into hardware and software terms.  If you can do that one job, you should not find any problems finding employment after graduation.

     

    When I would interview candidates I looked for detailed knowledge of the basic engineer process and then I would look for someone with a passion to do engineering.  Be confident, but not cocky, and most of all, stress that you are willing to work on whatever tasks are available.  That will show the interviewer that you are willing to be a team player and like to work on diverse projects.  They may not need your biomedical background, but as long as you are flexible, you can make a good impression and get in the door.  After that, you can work to get on projects that peaks your interests.

     

    I hope this helps.

     

    DAB

Reply
  • 0

    I am not sure if I qualify as a lurker, but I have done a fair amount of hiring young engineers to do a lot of different jobs.

    A biomedical background with a EE degree could give you some nice options.  There are a lot of government and civilian companies who need engineers with medical background for building devices and for testing the effects of man portable systems before they go into deployment.

     

    Make sure that you have a solid background in systems engineering, software development and hardware/software integration.  There is always a need for those skills.  Given the intense interest in new medical devices, you might find a good fit with medical device developers.  Beyond those needs, there is always a need for someone with a background in Human Factors engineering for all consumer oriented manufacturers and designers.

     

    The key thing you need to do is make sure that you really understand the material and can translate medical and engineering requirements into hardware and software terms.  If you can do that one job, you should not find any problems finding employment after graduation.

     

    When I would interview candidates I looked for detailed knowledge of the basic engineer process and then I would look for someone with a passion to do engineering.  Be confident, but not cocky, and most of all, stress that you are willing to work on whatever tasks are available.  That will show the interviewer that you are willing to be a team player and like to work on diverse projects.  They may not need your biomedical background, but as long as you are flexible, you can make a good impression and get in the door.  After that, you can work to get on projects that peaks your interests.

     

    I hope this helps.

     

    DAB

Children
  • 0 in reply to DAB

    Thank you so much for the reply!

     

    If I may ask, what company(s) did you work as a interviewer for?

  • 0 in reply to Former Member

    Hi Luke,

     

    I am glad you found my advice useful.  Unfortunately, the company I worked for made me corporate enemy number one when I was disabled in an accident on the job.  Since I am still in litigation, I shall leave them anonymous.

     

    I will say, that after people saw how I was treated, most of the engineers I hired have since left the company.  After all, if they treat a senior engineer badly, what would they do to junior and midlevel engineers.

     

    As a note of caution to everyone, if you get injured on the job, get a lawyer and do it quick.  You will not find justice or compensation otherwise.

     

    DAB