<p>Hi, I'm considering starting a degree in biomedical engineering this year. I find the biotech industry very interesting, but I was nonetheless wondering what the opportunities are for BMEs outside of biotech. The university I go to forces one to minor in ME or EE, so that one leaves with an "MS Biomedical with Mechanical Engineering" or "MS Biomedical with Electrical Engineering" (it's a sort of fast track BS+MS thing). How easy do you think it would be for me to get jobs in EE or ME related fields with this degree, supposing I decide not to go into biotech?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>PS I know I could just do straight ME or EE, but I'd like to stick with Biomed for the time being.</p>
<p>I would recommend deciding what you wanna do with your life and where you'd like to be and then base schooling on that not vic versa. Considering you will have a masters in engineering when through with college, typically it probably would not be difficult in any way to find a job in one of those fields.</p>
<p>Well I am very interested in the biomedical engineering field as a career but as I understand it now it's still a very narrow area with few employers. The course appeals to me A LOT more than ME or EE, however, so I'm just interested if I'll have any options if working in bioengineering doesn't work out for whatever reasons. Thanks for your response!</p>
<p>There have been posts here previously from people with BME degrees who transitioned into more traditional engineering fields, so it can be done. A few things that might help you to make this possible transition: </p>
<ul>
<li>Check to see if your BS degree program is accredited by [url=<a href="http://www.abet.org%5DABET%5B/url">www.abet.org]ABET[/url</a>]. Within the BME field, ABET accreditation is not a significant issue; many BME programs, even at top schools, do not have it. It is considered optional, since there is little or no state regulation of BMEs.</li>
</ul>
<p>However, ABET accreditation is virtually universal among ME or EE programs. In traditional engineering fields, the ABET seal of approval is commonly regarded as the mark of a "real" engineering degree. As a BME, your degree will likely have more credibility with traditional engineering employers if you can state that it is ABET accredited.</p>
<ul>
<li>Consider taking the national "Fundamentals of Engineering" (FE) professional licensing exam after you enter your senior year. Few BMEs take this exam, since BMEs are not licensed in any state; it probably has little or no value within the BME field. But MEs and EEs commonly do take this exam. If you can pass the FE exam as a BME, and earn a state "Engineer in Training" certificate, you would likely have more credibility with traditional engineering employers.</li>
</ul>