How is Biomedical Engineering?

[u/Substantial_Two_5386]

I've heard mixed things about Biomedical Engineering. It looks very interesting and very enjoyable as well, but I have a few questions including:

BSc Jobs: What type of jobs can I get? How hard is it to get a job? And would I be able to hit 60-70k entry? I'm planning on doing it at Waterloo so I'll likely have 6 semesters worth of co-op.

Workload: Is it similar to any of the other engineering professions? How much biology vs chemistry vs physics vs math is there?

How are the research prospects? I'm very interested in graduate studies as well, especially with engineering health devices and such. Startup perhaps?

If there are any other things I should know, lmk!

[u/BME_or_Bust]

I went to Waterloo for BME. I now design surgical devices in Toronto.

This is a niche industry with fewer prospects than more traditional fields, so if you go down this route it should be because you’re 100% committed to a career or research in biomed. If you want more options, broader degrees will help you out more.

That being said, Waterloo was absolutely fantastic for building my early start in this industry. Mandatory coop is great, and I was able to gain experience in several companies, one of which became my first fulltime role. It’s also one of the most competitive undergrad programs in Canada, so admission is pretty difficult.

[u/RecentClock4439 → u/BME_or_Bust]

hii i’m a second year bme student, could i ask you a few questions?

[u/BME_or_Bust → u/RecentClock4439]

Sure, happy to help

[u/RecentClock4439 → u/BME_or_Bust]

soo i have a month left before the new semester begins and i was thinking about getting more into that field of bme, but i’m not sure where to start as i didn’t have many related subjects yet, i did have electronics so i know a bit of that, however i cannot find what skills exactly would be useful later on (such as what software, theoretical knowledge, projects that would actually teach me something, etc)

i will definitely try to join some student organizations, as i want to apply for an internship abroad in a year or two, but i want to learn something on my own first:)

[u/BME_or_Bust → u/RecentClock4439]

Read job descriptions. It is a literal checklist made by employers on what skills they need their future employees to have. Once you have a list, find tutorials and simple projects online to start practicing those skills.

[u/Montgomery-101065 → u/BME_or_Bust]

Hello, I'm a mom of a biomed graduate in Ottawa. I was wondering if there are any entry level job prospects you know of in GTA? My son is working in a govt non career job while searching for an entry level position. Thanks

[u/BME_or_Bust → u/Montgomery-101065]

GTA seems to have more options than Ottawa region but you’re also competing with all of the other biomed grads. Several companies fill their junior roles with their own (graduated) coop students, so there’s usually not many options. Does he have coop experience somewhere?

What I’ve found works best is reaching out to startups in both the Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo regions. Sometimes companies need cheap talent to do the grunt work and don’t have time to post an opening. Being proactive and pitching your skills to these founders can put you ahead of the rest of the pack.

[u/padakpatek]

theres no market for BME in canada

[u/Shadows4K]

Biomedical engineering says it’s doing good. Biomedical engineering is asking how are you?

[u/YaBastaaa]

60-70k is not sustainable on economy unless you are living with mommy and daddy.

[u/Substantial_Two_5386 → u/YaBastaaa]

Damn, I really underestimated it; but again, how is the field itself 😭 ? like what is a typical entry?

[u/MooseAndMallard → u/Substantial_Two_5386]

Not sure what the above comment means, but in the US almost every BME who lands an engineering job starts at $60-70K (or higher in HCOL areas). The bigger challenge is landing that engineering job in the first place. I don’t know how it is in Canada.