by Khem Singh
Embark on an inspiring journey into the realm of Biomedical Engineering with Khem Singh, as we unravel the captivating narrative of turning childhood dreams into a thriving STEM career. Influenced by an Electrical Engineer father and fueled by a love for building and designing from an early age, Khem shares the foundational moments that sparked his passion for engineering. High school became a turning point, leading him to discover the exciting world of Biomedical Engineering through an after-school program focused on medicine. This interview explores not only the technical aspects of their career but also the crucial role of communication and writing in the engineering domain.
Join us in exploring the highs and lows, the educational journey, and the emerging trends that define the fascinating landscape of Biomedical Engineering.
What did you want to be when you were a kid/student?
Even as a kid, I wanted to be an engineer. I learned about engineering thanks to my dad who graduated as an Electrical Engineer. I was always the kid playing legos. I loved designing things and taking them apart just to build something even better. I always loved building things, fixing things, troubleshooting and making things more efficient.
How did that develop as you grew up?
As I grew up, my passion for engineering also grew. When I was in high school, I joined an after-school program for kids interested in medicine at a local hospital. That’s where I discovered something amazing – a career as a Biomedical Engineer!
What was your favorite subject in school, and how has it influenced your career?
My favorite subject in school was always math. Math and engineering go hand in hand. Math is the language for engineers to understand the world and make sure their designs work as planned. I enjoy the adventure of solving problems and discovering all the various ways to reach the answer.
What are some of the most important skills you use in your job?
Being an engineer is like being a detective. You need to pay close attention to details and solve problems. However, engineering is not just about having technical knowledge. In the engineering world, writing and communication are just as important as math and science. You’ll find yourself writing proposals and emails to explain things. It’s crucial to understand concepts well so that you can explain them clearly.
What is the most rewarding part of your career?
The most rewarding part of my job is seeing people use what we make! For example, it’s always fun to see grown-ups without pain because of hip and knee replacements. It makes me happy knowing I am making a difference for people.
What is the most challenging part of your career?
Within the Biomedical Engineering field, I’m a Quality Engineer. This means I check products to make sure they are safe, work well and ultimately make people happy! The tough part is making decisions that not everyone likes, but are needed to avoid any risks to customers.
What advice would you give to middle schoolers who are interested in your field?
Growing up and finding your dream job is like leveling up in a game. Right now you are discovering amazing things and making great friends. The best part of growing up and finding your dream job is the journey itself. Don’t rush, have fun with your friends and enjoy every moment of this awesome adventure!
What are some of the different career paths available in your field?
There are so many neat career paths you can have in Biomedical Engineering! Each path also leverages another engineering speciality or discipline. Here are a few areas and paths you can take:
Diagnostic/Imaging Tools (Electrical Engineering)
Example: Working with a portable ECG machine that patients can use at home.
Prosthetics/Rehabilitation (Mechanical Engineering)
Example: Developing a prosthetic limb for amputees.
Body Repair (Tissue Engineering)
Example: Create artificial organs using 3D printing and tissue engineering.
Drug Delivery (Chemical Engineer)
Example: Designing capsules for drug delivery in cancer treatment.
Health IT (Computer Science)
Example: Developing a healthcare app that can help patients manage various conditions.
Clinical Engineer (Healthcare Technology)
Example: Managing and maintaining medical equipment in a hospital.
These examples show the diversity within the field of Biomedical Engineering.
What kind of education and training is required for your career?
To become a Biomedical Engineer you need a BS in some sort of Engineering with a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering. Most jobs are competitive and a Master’s would go a long way.
What are some of the misconceptions about your career?
Many people think Biomedical Engineering is a track only for doctors or those that want to be in the medical field. The medical device field is closely related to the medical field but there are differences. The medical field includes a broad range of healthcare activities including diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases. The medical device field, on the other hand, focuses on the development, manufacturing, and distribution of medical devices. Some medical devices you may be familiar with include: pacemakers, MRI machines, CT scanners, insulin pumps, dialysis machines, ventilators, hearing aids, prosthetics, and blood glucose monitors. While doctors take care of patients, biomedical engineers create the tools to help them take care of patients.
What are some of the emerging trends in your field?
3D printing and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the medical device industry. Customized implants, prosthetics and medical models created using 3D printing technology. There are a lot of breakthroughs in terms of machine learning algorithms for analyzing medical images and diagnosing diseases.
A time when you overcame a challenge in their career:
The most difficult challenge in my career was getting into the medical device industry. It was tough because this field is extremely specialized and not many people work in it. However, I stayed positive and decided to go for more education while continuing my search. This worked out well because it made me more attractive to employers and in the end I was able to secure a job.
A time when you made a mistake and learned from it (in your career)
Very early in my career, I thought it was better to only share good news because I was afraid of getting in trouble for sharing bad news. However, I soon realized that being honest about both good and bad news is really important. Leaders and executives need all the information they can get to make smart plans for the future. Mistakes happen. What’s important is that you find ways to fix them and learn from them to grow.
A time when you helped someone else
College students have reached out to me on LinkedIn on a number of occasions for advice about entering the medical device industry. I feel it’s important to respond and help them as much as possible. It doesn’t matter your job title or status; it’s crucial to give back and be as selfless as possible. If everyone does this, the world would be a much better place.
A philosopher named A. Parthasarathy says that from the moment you’re born, the world gives you everything, even the air you breathe. So, we owe a lot to the world. That’s why we should serve the world, serve society, and help everyone we can.