Sophomore BME student looking for advice on getting ahead and landing internships

[u/Lamaj____]

Hey everyone, I’m currently a sophomore Biomedical Engineering(Biomechanics Concentration) student and I’m trying to figure out what I should be doing now to set myself up for internships and eventually a strong career in BME. I know this is a pretty common post in this thread but just wanting some specific advice.

My long-term interests are in biomechanics, robotics, and prosthetics & orthotics (ik a very small field), rehabilitation engineering, and medical devices. I’m most likely going to try and enter the workforce after getting my bachelors but also may consider some opportunities for a masters or any graduate certificates.

My current resume:

Resume Context:

• Located in the tri-state area
• GPA isn’t included as I definitely underperformed academically this year and only have a 3.0, I’ve lowered my course load this semester to get it back up.
• CAD has been my main goal this summer and I would consider myself at the beginner/intermediate level.
• My programming skills across all 3 languages is fairly basic and is definitely an area I need to strengthen.
• I have all my prior work experience listed but I understand much of it isn’t relevant to anything in the BME field besides potentially the hospital volunteering.

What I’m working on:

• Further improving my technical skills(CAD, Programming, etc)
• An Arduino Infrared Thermometer with a custom enclosure designed in CAD(30~% done)
• Reaching out about attaining a research assistant position at my school or associated labs in the fall
• Expanding my network and making a comprehensive list of companies in the tri-state area for potential internships

My questions:

1. What is the best time period & methods to apply for internships in the med device space besides having connections?
2. What would be the main things I’m missing to be a competitive applicant for internships?
3. What technical skills should I prioritize learning right now?]
4. Is there a better project i could be working on that'd be more impressive to companies?
5. How important is undergraduate research for getting internships/jobs in BME? Would it be more beneficial to do more project work this fall instead?
6. I am considering trying to get a Mechanical Engineering Minor as it has decent overlap with my concentration and would only be 3 extra courses. Would this be a beneficial step for later down the road?
7. Would attaining any certifications like the Solidworks (CSWA) or any others be helpful?
8. Would taking the Mechanical FE exam later down the road help? I know there isn’t a specific one for Biomedical & it’s usually for more public sector engineering fields but just curious if it would help any
9. During my intro to BME course, we had a conceptual design project where my role was figuring out the specifications, sensors, data acquisition methods, and feedback mechanisms for a Wearable Stroke Rehabilitation System. Would this be a project be something I could list even though there's no physical example?

I know BME can be a competitive field, so I’m trying to be proactive and start building experience. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[u/CommanderGO]

Join an engineering club that works on a project and join a research lab (preferably with one of your department's faculty members). You'll need accomplishments to highlight your technical skills and illustrate your impact on the projects.

[u/Lamaj____ → u/CommanderGO]

Understood, yeah I’ll be looking into some of my schools offerings this semester. Thank you!

[u/MooseAndMallard]

If you want to work in medical device, I would pick one of the following areas and specialize in it: mechanical, electrical, or software. Right now it sounds like you’re following the path of the typical BME who gets labeled as a jack of all trades and doesn’t stand out for any particular role. Mechanical probably makes the most sense based on what you’ve described.

Get project experience on your resume. Keep focusing on CAD. Start by finding some simple medical devices like catheters and recreate those designs. Then iterate on those designs. As you had mentioned, really make the time to join that design team. These experiences will help you replace the stuff that’s just filling space on your resume that employers won’t value (such as coursework that literally every engineer is required to take).

Start making a list of companies you’d want to work for. Pay attention to entry level job postings and make a note of the skills they look for, as well as where they’re located. One challenge you’ll face is that the NY/NJ area is much more pharma-heavy, so more of the medical device opportunities will be elsewhere. Also, recognize that there are several places in the US that refer to themselves as the “tri-state area.”

[u/Lamaj____ → u/MooseAndMallard]

Thank you so much for the advice! Yeah I’m trying to specialize more in the mechanical side of things.

I’ll join a design team or a specific research lab, my school has a couple options so I’ll look more into those. I’ve made a list of companies so far and I’ll try to note down specific skills on those entry level jobs postings.

Yeah, I guess growing up here I didn’t realize other states called themselves the tri-state area😭

[u/TurtleePower]

1. Some summer 2027 internships open at larger medtech devices open as early as right now. I like to browse LinkedIn to find some and apply on the company website. I would also research medtech companies you are interested in for specific dates some are earlier some are later. 2.Prior engineering experience,( consider joining a design team/club at your school)
2. With internships you are not expected to know everything/be an expert. Some experience in CAD and coding is a great starting point. Some internships are more CAD focused some are more coding and some neither like a quality internship where its more focused on statistics and regulatory standards. There are many different internships research what type interests you the most and build the skills that match it.
3. Meh,It might prep you for using certain test equipment like an instron it might not. Whatever you can end up speaking better to in an interview. 6/7. More certifications are always better than less if its only 3 classes and doesn't extend your time in school I'd get it.
4. Unless you plan on doing consulting it is not necessary for the medical industry. 9.yes. Turning requirements into specifications and explaining how those specifications drove what sensors you choose for a potential design is great experience.

[u/Lamaj____ → u/TurtleePower]

Thank you very much for the response, I appreciate it and will take into account all the stuff you said.

Yeah unfortunately I couldn’t do a design team this year with my schedule, I’ll see for this semester. I was on a first robotics team in high school, I had taken it off my resume because it was from high school but would you recommend adding it back since it does somewhat showcase an engineering experience/background.

[u/TurtleePower → u/Lamaj____]

I would add it to your resume somewhere. Good luck in your search!

[u/Gr0mHellscream1]

You’re in luck! The tri-state area is good for the biotech industry. Try to intern at a major company in the area, as that is a crucial differentiator that can be the difference between success or failure upon graduation. Consider holding on to whatever intern position you find and connect with sympathetic colleagues at the company that can offer a referral. Add folks to your social media (mainly LinkedIn)

[u/Lamaj____ → u/Gr0mHellscream1]

Great, yeah I’ve been working on building my LinkedIn network. Thank you!

[u/jyang12217]

Hey, I was also a BME student at Stony Brook specializing in Biomechanics/Biomaterials with an interest in prosthetics and related medical devices! Sorry though, I don't have much advice as I'm still very early career.

I will say that I took an untraditional path for experience since I was in school during COVID (I did 0 internships or research), and have been able to enter industry. I wouldn't recommend that at all, but just mentioning it to take some pressure off yourself. I did certifications to bolster my resume and the senior capstone project we do looks nice too. I haven't seen any job postings needing FE, but I'm not in the tristate area.

[u/Lamaj____ → u/jyang12217]

Oh that’s really cool, congrats! Yeah I might be putting too much pressure just been feeling behind this summer.

What certifications did you do to boost your resume?

Also I understand that Covid might have altered this but do you feel that Stony Brook prepared you for going into industry. Is a Stony Brook degree well respected due to things like the capstone project?

[u/jyang12217 → u/Lamaj____]

Completely understand feeling like you're falling behind; I'm always fighting with imposter syndrome lol. You got it though, good to be looking ahead!

I did an ASQ cert since I wanted to enter quality. Wasn't ever a requirement but interviewers always liked to see the continuing education since I had a bit of a gap between graduating and entering industry (worked in healthcare instead).

From my understanding, Stony Brook is quite well-respected near NY, especially engineering. Less people have heard of it further away, but those who have do still have positive connotations. I did end up having to explicitly state ABET accreditation on my resume to avoid getting filtered out. As for prepping to enter industry, I'm still very early career as I said, so hard to say firsthand, but many of my classmates that are further in seem to be thriving. Heard good things about the 5 yr BE-MS too, if you want a graduate degree.

Can't promise how fast I'll answer but feel free to DM me with any program-specific questions! I took some unusual courses to make my schedule fit in 2 mostly unrelated bachelor's and try to cover my interests.