Employers typically inquire about extended periods of unemployment when they see them on a candidate’s résumé. You can move forward in life and explain your circumstance in a way that is professional if you are prepared to respond to this inquiry. A career in biomedical engineering may be for you if you wish to combine your passion for engineering with the capacity to create life-saving medical products. Biomedical engineers are in high demand across the nation due to technological advancements and the necessity to care for an aging population.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there will be close to 20,000 biomedical engineering jobs in the nation by the end of 2018, and that number is expected to rise by 4% by 2028.

Biomedical engineers are employed by hospitals, industry, research, and academic institutions, among other places. They create life-saving breakthroughs such as 3-D printed organs, implantable medical devices, and surgical robotics equipment.

Graduates can thrive in a number of exciting occupations by earning a Master of Engineering with an emphasis in Biomedical Engineering or a Master of Science (MS) in Biomedical Engineering. When compared to workers with a bachelor’s degree, people with master’s degrees make at least $11,600 more annually on average. Graduates may benefit from a Master of Engineering or MS in Biomedical Engineering by gaining:

• An opportunity for upward mobility in your current company
• The ability to apply for leadership roles
• The opportunity for higher pay
• The ability to take on more responsibilities
• Increased knowledge, leading to expanded job satisfaction and duties

Are you unsure of what you can achieve with a degree in biomedical engineering? We discuss some of the most fascinating career categories in biomedical engineering here.

1. Biomaterials Developer

Biomedical engineers may develop biomaterials, which can be either natural living tissue or artificial materials, for the human body to use. Tissue engineering, biomedical implant development, drug delivery and nano implants are all areas that a biomaterials developer may work in. Biomaterials can be used to either repair or replace lost function to the body, or to detect and image disease.

2. Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing engineers are involved with the design and production of products, striving to create goods that are low-cost and high-quality. In the biomedical field, these products are typically developed for use in the healthcare industry.

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They can include laboratory or hospital equipment, prosthetic limbs, imaging tools and more. Manufacturing engineers with biomedical engineering backgrounds can take leadership positions in the design of these products, or manage teams who are creating them.

3. Independent Consultant

Independent consultants in the biomedical engineering field work with medical organizations and research institutions to provide guidance and recommendations. Their input can affect how processes are executed, what type of equipment to use, how to organize a workforce and other crucial decisions.

Independent biomedical consultants may work with a variety of businesses, and they sometimes consult with organizations for long periods of time. Consultants can grow relationships while also reaping the benefits of diverse experiences with a variety of stakeholders.

4. Doctor

Some biomedical engineering professionals go on to pursue a medical degree in order to become a physician or surgeon. Doctor and surgeon positions are expected to grow 13 percent from 2018 to 2028 (faster than average), according to the BLS. Doctors and surgeons can work in small offices or large hospitals, working on tasks ranging from major surgeries to diagnosing and treating diseases.

5. Biomedical Scientist/Researcher

Biomedical scientists and researchers use clinical trials to conduct research for improving human health, carrying out scientific laboratory tests to find solutions to medical problems. They research information that aids in the development of biomedical technology and test products so that they are safe for consumers.

Biomedical researchers may also work in the field of biomechanics, which involves simulating medical problems and body systems to aid in the creation of biomedical devices. The BLS projects the job growth rate for medical scientists to be 8 percent from 2018 to 2028, which is faster than average.

6. Rehabilitation Engineer

Biomedical engineers who work in a field dedicated to rehabilitation may work on diverse projects. These can range from mechanical equipment that helps patients regain the ability to walk to virtual reality systems that aid in limb mobility. Rehabilitation engineers may also create custom solutions based on unique needs or research improvements that can be made in rehabilitation technology.

7. Medical Technology Developer

Medical technology can refer to the hardware and software that help manufacture medical devices, as well as to the technology that is an integral part of those devices. Medical technology professionals with biomedical engineering backgrounds may specialize in bioinstrumentation, or the use of bioelectronic instruments to record or transmit physiological information. This type of equipment includes pacemakers, blood pressure monitors and electrocardiograph.

So what can you do with a major in biomedical engineering?

• Software and hardware engineering
• Medical device industry
• Innovative design and development
• Research and development
• Manufacturing
• Equipment testing and field servicing
• Clinical patient evaluation
• Technical documentation
• Sales
• Hospital equipment selection and support
• Teaching
• Management
• Undergraduate preparation for medicine, dentistry or law

A rapidly developing field, biomedical engineering is essential to the advancement of global health care. In fact, it is growing so rapidly that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that between now and 2018, employment of biomedical engineers would increase by an astounding 72 percent. Health care specialists who can use cutting-edge technology to solve the complicated difficulties of medical care will be in high demand, especially as the population ages.