My Life-From Engineer to a Manager and finally to a Doctor….Oh how confused I sometimes get!!!

I read an article recently which was scripted by a gentleman in 2002. He had documented his experiences with regard to GRE and had provided good tips on tackling quantitative and verbal sections! I suddenly felt that I have not put down anything of this sort and as my blogging has slowly morphed into a passion, I finally decided it just had to be done! To be honest, I don’t feel my performance was any good in the actual test but I have some very interesting musings from the entire GRE and application episodes and just feel I owe my readers a peek into the same! So here I am rambling again probably as ambiguous as always and would sincerely ask you to forgive me if my language or thoughts get blurred in the process.

First, the run-up to the actual exam!

I still remember me sitting one fine morning in my company library and reading a petrochemical journal. It was a lazy day (so lazy that I had to run out on my shift in-charge during a morning shift to the library… …). I was half expecting to simply fall asleep, but alas, I never knew it could get so very impossible (ask my friends and they would vouch that this incident has to be an outright lie). Anyhow….after this realization dawned upon me that it is not just a one-off incident and that I was somehow hooked upon petroleum and petrochemicals like never before, that I realised that this was something I had wished to do since my engineering days! My penchant for oil dates back to my 3rd year in engineering and this was simply a reincarnation of sorts! Thus deciding to try and do something rather than waste a few more years in my endless shift duties and panel operations, I decided to; guess what; yes, call up my best friend!!!! As destiny would have it, he too was somehow hooked on to the idea of petroleum engineering thanks to a few shell publications and his not so regular internet trysts! It was like a distant light partly hidden by fog suddenly becoming all too apparent and clear. I realized that there is surely a future, possibly a very bright future in Petroleum engineering. But I am just too vacillating a being to rest at that. On the solemn urgings of few of my friends who thought I was destined to be a manager in my own right, I decided to give MBA a serious look! I cooked up plans of joining some coaching institute and even thought of dropping the idea of GRE completely (and this was one of the reasons why I was unable to put in consistent effort into test preparations!!). But then one fine day, as destiny would have it, I found myself back in the library with another petroleum journal in my hands….! And believe it or not, this time I did drop off for good, but I had a weird dream, of a kind I have never ever had before! I saw myself on top of a tanker ship directing an emptying operation! Again I had a wild hunch then that this had something to do with my college days (I had done some slight research on tanker operations). So was back with a brand new reckoning! The only issue; the only dilemma I faced was that I just had a month to go for my standard tests (which were scheduled for 3rd and 6th October….dates that are going to be etched in my memory forever!!). At this stage I got tremendous help from a few of my friends who themselves probably have no idea that they actually helped me…. …. Anyhow, being completely honest, my lousy GRE preparation included 20 days of Big book, 10 days of Kaplan + ARCO essays and 7 days of Barron’s dappled with intermittent bouts of internet fever when I would lock myself up with my computer for hours on end just to watch movies (and skip meals in the process). I am sure my friends from my old company would vouch for the same any day.

Anyhow, I am sure you would appreciate what my mental state would have been when I actually went for the test on D-day. I had my GRE on 3rd October and to be honest, I was just too excited to feel any nervousness!!! I still marvel at how such a paramount change is possible for somebody like me who used to fret like a nervous chicken in semester examinations! I still remember the moment when I decided on reporting my scores and I was just too delighted with the scores the screen showed. It was as if I had finally come through clean (with admittedly very little effort and toil…….my mistake!).

Now at this stage when I am dead sure that you are probably nodding off to sleep reading all this boring stuff about a boring man and his boring life, I would add in some excitement for the aspirants! There are a few valuable lessons out of my entire experience. When I was in college I tried for an MBA but was unable to secure a good admit. I feel it was my fickle mind at fault. But then, I can’t keep blaming my mind for my decisions right. After all it is my own mind and thus I have to own upto my actions! To be honest, I have always faced bouts of confusion in handsome amounts! It has been the very first time in my life that I have been able to decide on something and see it to completion (again a big HOPEFULLY here as it is still an unfinished business!). When I finally realized that it had to be a PhD and nothing else for me, I got a shock of sorts. I will tell you know as to why so…

I was completely unprepared for GRE and I just had a month to go! I knew that I could get a score of 1200+ without any issues. But the trouble was I was sure that would not serve my purpose (at this point I feel even 1600 would have not!!!). So I had the uphill (I felt that way at that point) task of preparing verbal which I was sure of goofing up otherwise! I was very confident with my quantitative section. I was consistently getting 800 in Big Book tests. But verbal was a different ball game altogether! Finally the 27 tests from Big Book did pay off. My scores increased from 1200’s to 1400’s in 15 days flat. I felt a sense of relief but at about the same time I realized that I had not touched the AWA section at all! To be honest, I have always liked writing but I took it up seriously! It was another good friend who made me realize that a little preparation for essays would do me no harm! Thus I decided to open a book (ARCO essay) which had been sitting in pristine condition in my book shelf for more than 5 months. My essay preparation was parallel to my night shifts at the plant and Kaplan exercises as well! I tried to keep tabs over what I was actually doing but it was getting kind of hazy and I decided to go with the flow! My final few power-prep tests got me 1460 and 1430 respectively. I remember feeling a weird sensation of confidence mixed with fear! Anyhow coming to more important issue, I feel Big Book has had a tremendous impact on my results (I do concede that my scores were not that good and therefore have taken care not to mention the same in my posts!). I was delighted a month later to learn about my 5.5 in AWA. I felt that somehow I had been a tad lucky with the scarce preparation which I had! Also, I have come to believe that a good preparation might not necessarily mean a lengthy one. My friend scored a 1470 with a month’s preparation as well! So I am certain it is just a matter of finding your own pace and fitting in just right – so to speak!! 

I must concede that I was overly delighted when I came out of the prometric centre. It was mainly because I had got a good score and somehow got this feeling that I was doing the right thing. At this point though, I must say I am very nervous. In fact I have had bouts of irritation, anger, dejection and even stress related to anxiety! I feel that my chances of getting good admissions are getting slimmer by the day and I have absolutely no idea why I feel this way! Anyhow I don’t want to turn this blog into a repertoire of a person suffering from chronic depression! My reason for blogging is to get out of any depression or compulsive behaviour and I intend on keeping it that way. So, I would end this post at this stage and would continue soon with a description of my application days and associated issues which I faced! I hope the future posts in this series are more interesting and more informative! I also urge my readers to ask any queries, doubts or issues they might have.  

Want to know more about me!? Try about the author

Thank you!!

Yes! Undoubtedly the two most beautiful words in English language my friends and I must admit, I never realized how important these two so very simple words could be. It is only now that I realize the power that they hold! I read a beautifully crafted article on thank you notes and wanted to share it with you guys! I know most of you would take me as a total loser to be writing about something seemingly so trivial, however I must urge you to read on and incorporate these in your professional and social lives! It could change your life for good and open new opportunities like never before! These pointers are particularly valid for people trying for new jobs and interviews. So I hope fresh graduates should find them exceedingly interesting!

“When you thank someone, like a friend who gave you a job lead or a hiring manager after an interview, for example, you help satisfy that person’s need to be appreciated. Not only is it an ego boost for them, it can propel you faster toward employment, too.”

Some things you could do well to remember!!

1. Thank More People

Of course you know to mail a thank-you note to hiring managers after every job interview. But that’s the bare minimum. You can spread more goodwill — and start more positive conversations about you — by writing and saying, “thank you,” to every person you met while visiting a potential employer, including the receptionist.

If you can’t get business cards from every one, at least get their name. Then, call the receptionist when you get home (or from your cell phone in the parking lot!) and ask for help in spelling names. You’ll avoid mistakes while generating a terrific post-interview impression by making that phone call.

But don’t limit your thank-you notes to just after interviews. Mail them to anyone who does you a good turn during your job search: friends, relatives, neighbors, past co-workers, et al. If you mail at least one thank-you note per day, you’re on the right track.

In his excellent book, You, Inc., Harry Beckwith writes: “Handwritten thank-you notes feel like gifts because you took the time to find the paper and envelope, write the note, affix the stamp, and gift-wrap your note in its package.”

Why not mail more thank-you “gifts” to those who assist your job search? You’ll surely get even more help in return.

2. E-mail? No Thanks

A brief word about sending thank-you notes by e-mail — don’t.

A thank-you e-mail has about as much emotional staying power as an e-mailed Christmas card or birthday greeting — you read it, you delete it, you forget it. All in less than 30 seconds.

Instead of taking time to send your best regards when you mail a short note, you’re copping out and saying, “You’re not important to me,” when you e-mail.

Solution? Write and mail your thank-you letters on real paper using real stamps. Really.

3. Say the Right Thing

So that you have no excuses, here’s exactly what to say in your next thank-you note, written in your best printing or handwriting:

Dear Mr. Smith:

Thank you very much for taking the time to meet with me this morning.

I want you to know that I am extremely interested in the position of INSERT JOB TITLE we discussed. Based on the needs for INSERT BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION you outlined in our talk, I am sure that my skills in INSERT 2-3 SKILLS can help you in this area.

In any event, I want to thank you for your time and consideration. It was a pleasure to meet you and INSERT ALL OTHER NAMES.

Sincerely,

Your First and Last Name

4. Thank Fast

Here’s a proven way to make a hit with employers.

Bring a box of thank-you notes with stamps to your next interview. After you finish, go to the car and write your notes in the parking lot. Drop them in the nearest mailbox and voila! Your letters will arrive first thing the next morning and carry maximum impact, because you wrote them with the interview still fresh in your mind and their’s as well.

Now. Does the thought of handwriting and mailing thank-you notes make you a bit uncomfortable? Good! The only way to grow is to get out of your comfort zone.

And here’s the kicker. In my experience counseling job seekers since 1996, I have yet to meet one person who faithfully mailed thank-you notes and also struggled long-term to find a job. That’s how powerful thank-you notes are. Try mailing 10 this week and prove it for yourself!

About the author: Kevin Donlin is President of Guaranteed Resumes and creator of GetHiredNow.TV. Since 1996, he has provided job search assistance to more than 10,000 people. He has also authored ” 51 ways to find a job fast — guaranteed”

Source: http://www.startribune.com/

Free thank you note samples: http://www.thank-you-note-samples.com/

4. Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical Engineering trains specially qualified engineers and scientists to work on engineering applications in either medicine or biotechnology. I have always felt it to be a very distinct field, yet one that transcends the set boundries of disciplines as no other! People from chemical, electronics, biotechnology, computers, electrical, etc may end up in this field either as students or employees!

Biomedical engineers develop innovative biologics, processes, materials, devices and informatics to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases for patient’s rehabilitation. Many of the biomedical engineers do research work along with professionals from life sciences, chemists, and medical scientists. The devices like artificial organs, prostheses (artificial devices to replace missing body parts), medical information systems, instrumentation, health management and care delivery systems, etc., are the contributions of the biomedical engineers. Thus, the engineers in this specialized field need to have a sound grounding in a basic engineering field like mechanical or electronics together with biomedical field. Here, the specialists are also concerned with developing imaging systems such as magnetic resonance, ultrasound and x- ray machines, and techniques and devices to automate insulin injections or control body functions.

Biomedical engineers find employment with companies that manufacture equipment used in hospitals and diagnostic centers or centers for research and development, manufacturing, quality control and testing as also installation, maintenance or sales and marketing departments. They can also get jobs with large hospitals for selecting, handling and maintaining sophisticated equipments in addition to building customized devices for special needs or work in institutions involved in research. There are a few government agencies where you can get recruited for product testing, safety and establishment safety standards for devices.

Employment opportunities for biomedical engineers are immense in India considering the fact that the aging of the population and focus on health issues will increase the demand for better medical devices and equipment designed by biomedical engineers. Other developments, like computer- assisted surgery and heavy research in molecular, cellular and tissue engineering will also increase the demand for biomedical engineers. Further, the rehabilitation and orthopedic engineering fields are growing at a very fast pace, which also require the services of biomedical engineers.

The employment outlook for biomedical engineering graduates is, in a word, good. So say three professors who are tops in the field, from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., to Clemson University in South Carolina.

“The outlook is good and getting better as employers recognize the value of the specialty of biomedical engineering,” notes Dr. Scott Delp, associate professor of biomedical engineering and rehabilitation at Northwestern University, as well as a research scientist at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. “The more biomedical engineers who go out into industry, the more I see that trend continuing.”

Currently, Delp estimates that about half of Northwestern’s biomedical engineering undergrads go on to medical school, while 25 percent head to grad school and the remaining 25 percent, roughly 20 students, go on to jobs in industry right out of college.

“Biomedical engineers have unique skills,” Delp says. “Often they are needed to bridge traditional engineering skills with medical applications. For someone to have a formal education in both disciplines is very helpful.”

Delp asserts that the U.S. dominates the world in the healthcare marketplace, which translates into an optimistic view of the future for his field.

“We have a strong export/import balance,” he says. “The growth of the healthcare industry and the domination of the U.S. healthcare industry worldwide are strong indicators that biomedical engineers will be doing well in the coming years.”

As vast as the field is, all areas of biomedical engineering represent good employment prospects for today’s graduates, according to Dr. Larry Dooley, professor of bioengineering and director of the School of Chemical University. Dooley notes that both the medical device marketplace and the diagnostics marketplace are expanding in the U.S. in terms of new production capability. That translates into a wealth of opportunities for grads possessing bioengineering skills.

WORKERS NEEDED, STAT!

India is seeing a rapid growth in the field of advanced medicine and general and speciality health-care as well. The demand for trained professionals is high here and would continue to be so!

“Industry went through a downsizing period,” Dooley relates, “but now the economy is booming, healthcare is an important issue and industry is looking to expand. It’s a good, dynamic time.”

Dr. David Kelso, professor of biomedical engineering at Northwestern University, is an expert in the emerging area of biosensor technology. He says the employment outlook is upbeat, ranging from the hiring patterns of large diagnostic companies such as Abbott Laboratories and Hoffman-La Roche to a number of small start-ups pursuing technological development in the biosensor area. Among the exciting avenues available to graduates is exploring new ways of doing blood tests, from infectious diseases to genetic screening to hormones, says Kelso.

“There are opportunities at all levels,” he adds. “With the population in this country aging and with people’s growing concern for healthcare, there’s very little on the down side these days. Issues of cost-containment and cost-control associated with the healthcare industry simply represent more engineering problems that need to be solved.”

While the interest in and need for new, cost-effective technologies is high, Kelso says the demand is equally strong for biomedical engineers to work in large systems areas, such as designing and testing in large, centralized manufacturing environments.

“What makes a biomedical engineer so valuable,” Kelso says, “is that they understand the medical problem, the chemistry, the biochemistry involved in doing the sensing, yet they also understand the engineering that goes into developing the devices. They have a great ability to interface with all of the specialties that come together in the field.”

Dooley of Clemson University points out another area related to health biomedical engineering grads.

“Information technology application in healthcare is changing the way medical centers and hospitals are approaching the management of clinical information,” Dooley explains. “That includes billing, radiographic information and clinical information. Merging all of this into a clinical database is changing the way information is used. Doctors are wanting the most up-to-date clinical information at the [hospital] bedside and in the operating room.”

Device capability is another strong area, according to Dooley. “We know more now about the way materials behave inside the body and so we’re changing the way we think about implantable devices,” he says. “This represents new opportunities in design.”

DIVERSE DISCIPLINES DESIRED
Delp highlights some burgeoning areas of opportunity in his field of expertise. “Biomaterials, rehab engineering, computer-assisted surgery and medical imaging are all areas that draw on engineering, science and medical applications,” Delp says.

Other than the good news they have to offer, the common thread expressed by these professors is the list of traits employers appear to be demanding from today’s graduates. Delp notes that for undergraduates, “employers are looking for people with native intelligence, drive and the capacity to learn. Quantitative skills and the ability to analyze a problem in detail are also valued.”

Dooley adds that a solid foundation in engineering is essential, even for students looking to enter medically dominated areas. “Of course they should also have math skills and teamwork skills,” he notes.

And though biomedical engineering programs are growing by leaps and bounds in this country, there doesn’t seem to be any fear of oversaturating the industrial marketplace any time soon. The bottom line? A biomedical engineering graduate can look forward to a dynamic career ahead.

Speciality Areas:

• Bioinstrumentation- This area specialization application of electronics and measurements techniques to develop devices for diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
• Materials- It relates to producing materials from both living tissues and artificial materials to replace diseased organs.
• Tissue Engineering- Nowadays, tissue substitutes are being developed to restore or improve the functions of diseases or damaged human tissues.
• Biomechanics- This involves application of mechanics to biological or medical problems and study the flow of bodily fluids in order to decide the specifications for the various devices such as artificial joint replacements, pacemakers, etc.
• Clinical Engineering- Biomedical engineers also develop and maintain computer database of medical instruments and equipment records in hospitals.
• Orthopedic Bioengineering- Here, engineering is used to understand the function of bones, joints and muscles and for the design of artificial joint replacements. Further, they also research new technologies and materials that make up bones, joints and tooth implants which are almost as good as nature’s version.
• Navigation Systems- In this specialized branch, biomedical engineers use software tools and specialized imaging equipment to create a digital picture of the insides of a human patient’s body.

Some good courses in biomedical/bio-engineering can be found in these universities:

Johns Hopkins University (Whiting)
Georgia Institute of Technology
University of California–San Diego (Jacobs)
University of Washington
Duke University
Boston University
University of Pennsylvania
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Rice University (Brown)
Case Western Reserve University
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
Northwestern University (McCormick)
Stanford University
University of California–Berkeley
Washington University in St. Louis (Sever)
University of Pittsburgh
University of Virginia
University of Texas–Austin
Columbia University (Fu Foundation)
University of Utah
Vanderbilt University
California Institute of Technology
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Carnegie Mellon University
Cornell University
Purdue University–West Lafayette
University of California–Davis
University of Minnesota–Twin Cities
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Arizona State University (Fulton)
Pennsylvania State University–University Park
Texas A&M University–College Station (Look)
University of Southern California (Viterbi)
AIIMS, New Delhi
IIT-Kharagpur
IIt-Powai
BHUIT-Varanasi

Source: http://www.graduatingengineer.com/ , http://www.winentrance.com/

Useful resource (all about biomedical engineering): http://www.bmes.org/careers.asp

Suggested Reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomedical_engineering