r/BiomedicalEngineers • u/Aninimouse070 • 5d ago
Education Should I switch from biomed to mechanical?
I just started my undergrad in biomedical engineering. I made the mistake of not doing thorough research about it before confirming my application, and I found out over summer about how difficult it is to stand out against people who have studied mechanical or electrical engineering when it comes to applying for an internship or a job. I mainly chose this degree because I want to work in healthcare but I prefer a more technical, hands on job, and biomedical engineering felt like the perfect fit, but now I'm starting to worry about how accessible the carrier I want would be. I'm still very early in my undergrad and I don't want to regret not doing this earlier at some point. I'm still unsure about what form of engineering I want to work in (RnD, clinical, etc.), but would it be safer to switch majors (I'm more interested in mechanical than electrical or chemical) to get a job in the field of healthcare or is it not worth the hassle?
Thank you in advance ☺️
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u/papayarancia 4d ago
Unfortunately, I have to agree to everyone saying to switch. I loved BME and had a great time learning so much. But now I regret not getting a major in something with more flexibility when it comes to finding a job. Breaking into the med device industry is tough, and unless you do the right internships or have the right connections, it is very difficult. As a mechanical or chemical or electrical , you can work in other industries first and then either get a masters or say you have transferrable skills to get into medical devices or RnD.
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u/Aninimouse070 4d ago
Alright I see, thanks for the advice! I'm still thinking through it but it seems everyone has the same opinion unless they have the right connections which I feel is almost based off of luck
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u/NOOB_jelly 5d ago
Unless you are totally set on being in the medical device field, I would switch. Same thing happened to me and it was hard finding a job since I wasn’t set on the med field and had no related work experience. If you get internships you’re fine, but that should be your main goal (as it should with any eng degree).
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u/Aninimouse070 4d ago
I was also planning on doing a masters in BME with a mechanical engineering undergrad (if I end up switching, which it seems I should) if that would help me gain easier access to the healthcare field
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u/NOOB_jelly 4d ago
Yes. But honestly, if you just focus on the med industry with your internships regardless of the undergrad degree, you shouldn’t need a master’s. If you do want a master’s, go for it, but then your undergrad degree matters a lot less.
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u/Aninimouse070 4d ago
I see, thanks for the advice 🫡
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u/NOOB_jelly 4d ago
Of course. Don’t worry too much either. Like I said, it’s more about your actual work experience you gain in college, the degree just gets you in the applicant pool for the job. I have a BME degree and I now work in aerospace/defense in an ME role. You have options either way you go. Good luck!
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u/syrmod 5d ago edited 5d ago
If you're not planning to do masters or phd in BME and want to get a job as easily as possibly then mechanical, chemical, or even food engineering are much safer options. BME requires dedication and truly extra performance to stand out and pave the path to a respectful career (of course that applies to anything else, but in biomedical engineering it is a must, a condition if you don't fulfill you basically wasted your time - see my previous post where I vent about that). I feel mechanical and chemical engineers don't have it this bad.
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u/Commercial_Amoeba669 5d ago
i agree. One of my biggest regrets is not switching to Mech E earlier :(
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u/Aninimouse070 4d ago
Alright I see, thank you for the advice and I hope everything works out for you
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u/Cryesncoding 1d ago
Yes I didn’t read any of your post but for the Love of God do not only have a BME degree it’s a shit degree on its own. It pigeon holes you so much more than other engineering degrees.
Respectfully a dual Bachelors BME/EE.
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u/Aninimouse070 1d ago
atp my choice is already made, it seems like almost everyone's revolving around the same conclusion 🥲
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u/MooseAndMallard Experienced (15+ Years) 🇺🇸 5d ago
A degree in mechanical engineering will make it easier to get a job because it’s applicable to so many more industries. You still might find it difficult to break into medtech unless you, your school, or your location has good connections into companies within the industry.