<p>Hey everyone! I am currently a junior biomedical engineering student with a strong GPA, and some research experience. Currently I've become more and more interested in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. I realize that I can't get a job right out of college in this industry just because it is still new. So I was thinking about getting a job right after I graduate at some sort of biotech/biopharmaceutical company or even in the government (I'm trying to get an internship this summer). But another option is to continue my studies in biomedical engineering with a focus in like biomaterials or something like that. I heard it is a lot easier to get into a master's program right from undergrad. I do want to get a job in industry just because my understanding of the opportunities that are out there is very small, plus if I do want to get into R&D it's a good way for me to see what's in demand. I do plan on going to grad school and maybe get a PhD, but I'm not sure whether or not to get a job then go to grad school, or get my master's then get a job. What would you all recommend?</p>
<p>As far as I know, you probably wouldn’t be able to get a job without the MS in biomedical engineering. If you can get an internship that ends up turning into a job it may be a good idea to squeeze out as much as you can out of that before they pay for your MS later. </p>
<p>Either way I wouldn’t specifically rely on getting a job in biomed with just the bS</p>
<p>I’ve heard that it’s difficult to get a job in biomedical engineering without an MS, but I’ve also heard that it’s difficult to get a job with a BA in psychology and I know that’s not 100% true. I think the element of truth is that it may be difficult to get specific jobs in BME without the bachelor’s - as you pointed out, doing tissue engineering or regenerative medicine - but there are certainly bachelor’s level jobs that you can get with a BS in BME if you are willing to be creative and perhaps step outside of the expected path a little. It seems like you are.</p>
<p>It’s also not true that it’s easier to get into a master’s program right from undergrad. That depends on a lot of factors, and it really depends on the kind of job you want to do and kind of degree you want to get. But deciding to take a few years to work is not going to tank your chances at getting into grad school 2-3 years down the line.</p>
<p>In general, if you’re not really sure what you want to study it’s a great idea to take some time off from academia and work. It’s a particularly bad idea to go into a PhD program without being reasonably certain that you want to study something pretty specific for 5-6 years. Taking 2-3 years to work and figure out what you want to study isn’t a bad idea at all. I will caution you against going after something primarily for demand - while it’s a good idea to think about demand and employability when selecting a focus area, remember that demand can change - often rapidly - and so whatever’s in high demand next year in 2015 won’t necessarily be in high demand in 2025, after you finish your PhD and a postdoc or two. You’re going to have to work on this particular area for quite some time, so make sure you select something employable AND something you really like.</p>
<p>The short version: In my opinion, in about 90% of cases if a student asks, “Grad school or job?” I would say “Job!”</p>