<p>Hi, so currently I’m a rising undergraduate sophomore and I’m going for Biomedical Engineering. The thing is, I have a general picture of what I want to do with my life but no clear idea of how to get there.</p>
<p>I want to work in or lead some type of organization or program whose purpose is to provide medical/technological innovations or advancements to people in impoverished, malnourished, or otherwise underdeveloped regions (such as in South Asia, the Middle East, or Africa). I know Engineers Without Borders does something like this, but their branches are loosely affiliated and often run within academic institutions, whereas I’m looking for a broader, more bioengineering focused, professional organization with large, permanent goals. As long as it’s within the context of this type of humanitarian(ish) work, I’m open to working in management, research, design, development, whatever. I’ve also considered working in a policy institute if I can’t find something that meets the above criteria.</p>
<p>So my questions are A) What should I do after undergrad (i.e. should I get a MS or pHD in BME or would an MEM/Meng be better?) and B) Where can I find a career that entails this kind of work? Any advice is greatly appreciated, I’ve been at my wit’s end about this :/</p>
<p>I cannot give you much advise because I have the same perspective as you (Sophomore Bioengineering major). However, your interests match some of mine. </p>
<p>Kyoakyoa is right, although curt. If you are creative enough you can build your own career through medical device design. There is a company that I’ve talked to that designed a portable dialysis machine that targets malaria by removing infected red blood cells. Their product benefits third world countries battling malaria without increasing the number of drug-resistant strains of malaria.</p>
<p>That is just an example of how you can achieve your career goals within BME. However I do not know what would be the best path to that goal. That would be something I would be interested in finding out as well.</p>
<p>Wow, hard to believe there’s actually people that have extremely similar aspirations as I do, lol. Just like JohnIsaac, I’m only a sophomore bioengineering major so I can’t provide too much reliable feedback. Maybe telling you some of my ideas will provide some insight perhaps?</p>
<p>As you mentioned, engineers without borders does something quite similar but is a tad too broad. I think it’s a greate idea to give it a try, regardless of any field, to get a taste of the methods they use to approach humanitarian work. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, I’m going for a business/econ minor with my engineering coursework. I know for a fact a lot of colleges have special programs with business oriented focus for engineers. I think this would help me slightly get a better sense of the business world and also let me see a small aspect in the world of management and technology. After I graduate, I plan to (hopefully) get a few years of job experience, and then try going for my MBA. I guess generally speaking, I’d be in somewhat of a position by then to try starting out my company (or join one) that lends medical devices and spread humanitarian works. </p>
<p>I know what I said might not be much but I think it’s a decent start. Hopefully, you’ll learn more and get closer to your goals. Best of luck to you!</p>