The biomedical field was a complete unknown to me before I began my search for a new and exciting career path. I learned of its existence while visiting Brown Mackie College (BMC) almost two years ago and I was immediately intrigued! It simply never occurred to me that there were people who specialized in medical equipment repair or metrology. Sure, I knew the machines existed, but who thinks about the one taking care of the equipment? I certainly didn’t. Unless you are surrounded by it or using it every day, it does not cross one’s mind. It became almost an obsession. I gave Google the workout of its life that week. I scoured the Internet, feeding my craving for more knowledge about this curious career. I will say that there really is not very much out there about it and I found that I had to search different names such as HTM and metrology.
After much consideration, I chose biomed. Or maybe biomed chose me. I enjoy helping people and decided that this would be one way to do it. The vast array of specialty fields that I can pursue is an added bonus. My first MD Expo was in Orlando, Florida, where I learned just how amazing this can be for me. I met so many great people who were willing to help me and offered their cards for future reference. I realized the amplitude of generosity, intelligence and a real family feel to the whole organization.
I initially held some reserve and fear because I have several visible tattoos on my arms. You can not take back the past and I was honestly relieved when it was met head on with acceptance. I feared being viewed as immature or even a risk. My favorite response to date was when one potential employer told me “As long as it is not like Mike Tyson’s facial tattoo, it will be fine.” Then, there was the age concern. I am a 38-year-old college student. I was worried that the younger generation would have preference over my slightly aged brain. I quickly learned that wisdom is appreciated. I will not go over the thousands of encouraging comments rained upon me, but I feel great about it. This is going to work! And I am going to be great at it!
Everyone involved wants me to succeed and that is a great feeling. It feels like a giant bear hug. Whether we ever meet again, or work closely together, these people are my coworkers. I can depend on them and they can depend on me. Who could ask for anything more?
Life as a BMET student has been fairly challenging, but I would not have it any other way. What fun is a free ride with no thinking? Being a biomed is going to keep my mind sharp, I can stop doing The New York Times crossword puzzles!
At the MD Expo Nashville my class attended a 90-minute tour of AllParts Medical. Wow! That was an eye-opening experience! Seeing the component level repair stations and the harvesting room was great! Those positions had never occurred to me! Then, they took us to the rooms where the CT machines were being repaired and it caused an immediate chilling sensation. This felt so much bigger than me. What an amazing piece of machinery! Next was the ultrasound room, there were so many! Everywhere! My mind was spinning with the possibilities. We even saw running MRI machines which, I will admit, intimidated me to a certain extent. We left the tour with new hopes, ideas and wide-eyed wonderment.
I am on the last leg of my schooling and I am feeling very confident in myself and my abilities. I am definitely excited about doing my externship, though quite unnerving, it is going to be my first dip into the biomedical technical pool. My craving for learning is intense, so I am certain it will be my bread board. I have always had a hand in computers and mechanical work, so this makes sense for me. I am hoping to secure a field service position at first. I have learned that many facilities want to train their new employees to their own way of doing things, and I think a budding fresh student is the perfect opportunity for that.
Currently, we have study groups for taking the CBET next year and that is going to be a fabulous addition to my resumé. The CBET is quite intimidating, but through determination and my willingness to learn, I will persevere. One of my classmates, Zena Alem, actually won a set of CBET learning software from Stephens International Recruiting at MD Expo Nashville.
I am very much looking forward to the next MD Expo in October in Las Vegas. By then I will be a lightly seasoned graduate, willing and ready for opportunity, hungry for experience. The last two Expos I attended afforded me a plethora of contacts. The classes and newly offered product demonstrations were fantastic. The field is constantly growing and the new technology alongside the old stuff, there is a never ending need for continuing education, which is fantastic. The field is saturated in such a wealth of knowledge and ambition.
I am learning that networking (IT) is quickly becoming a large part of a BMET’s job, so I am going to have to go back and get a degree in networking. It was covered in our computer classes, but I think a more in-depth look at it would be beneficial to budding BMET students. The possibilities are endless and opportunity is flowing. The field is constantly growing and the job outlook is beautiful! I could not have dreamed of a better future for my family and myself. All it took was a fleeting moment of curiousity and a feeling of being unsettled to seal my fate. I am looking forward to the future and will embrace the new experiences with open arms.
