The Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics Program, also known as BEAM, held its second in-person career fair on September 16th. Running from 10 AM to 3 PM, the event provided students with ample opportunity to engage directly with recruiters in productive and in-depth conversations. The attending companies specialize in areas such as biomechanics related to injury and transportation crashes, computing and bioinformatics, clinical imaging and patient data, machine learning, and the development of medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
The event attracted more than 240 students, showcasing a remarkable turnout that extended beyond just biomedical engineering. Students from various engineering disciplines, including materials science and biological systems engineering, also registered and participated, reflecting a broad interest in the topics discussed. The diverse representation highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of the event and its appeal to a wide range of aspiring engineers.
The seven companies that attended the event are recognized for their innovative contributions to the medical technology and healthcare sectors. Aperture LLC and S.E.A. LLC, located on the West and East Coasts, respectively, specialize in forensics, data analytics, and consultation services to support litigation. Biosense Webster, headquartered in Irvine, California, is a leader in electrophysiology, developing state-of-the-art catheters and mapping systems for cardiac arrhythmias. Brainlab, based in Munich, Germany, focuses on digital surgery and radiotherapy, offering software and hardware solutions that enhance surgical precision and improve patient outcomes. Elemance, situated in Durham, North Carolina, is dedicated to creating intuitive healthcare software that develops virtual human body models for testing medical devices. LunaLabs, operating out of Charlottesville, Virginia, seeks innovative solutions across various industries, including aerospace, energy, automotive, health sciences, telecommunications, and defense. Quality Agents, based in Maryland, provides consulting and auditing services to ensure compliance with healthcare regulations, with a strong emphasis on quality assurance in medical devices. Together, these companies represent a diverse array of expertise, each contributing to advancements in healthcare technology.
Michelle Darby, the event organizer and Communications and External Relations Manager for Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics at VT, was kind enough to agree to a one-on-one interview for this article. Michelle detailed that when organizing an event like this, there are two key aspects for success: the promotion and invitation of student attendees and employer participants. From the student perspective, the event was shared via opportunity emails and through relevant coursework via faculty; it had also been posted on digital screens in all the departments of engineering, social media, and handshake. While on the employer side, Michelle highlighted her strategy of creating a public event on LinkedIn, appropriately tagged for relevant industries, and her outreach efforts, which included emailing 190 employers starting in June.
During conversations with employers and students at the fair, there was a strong consensus that the pleasant setting—characterized by a smaller number of participants—created a more productive and engaging atmosphere. Unlike the loud and bustling engineering expo held the previous week, this spacious and quiet environment allowed for deeper discussions. I personally had a very positive experience connecting with representatives and learning about their companies and employment opportunities, and because of this, I would strongly recommend this event to other students in the future.
Volunteering at a Future Event During my visit, I observed several faculty and administrative members taking on tasks that I recognized were typically handled by student volunteers at the engineering expo. In our meeting, Michelle explained that volunteering opportunities for the biomedical engineering career fair were effectively communicated through the opportunities email and prominently highlighted on the event website. She also mentioned that the Biomedical Engineering Society worked closely with her to engage more graduate students and faculty to support the event. Michelle detailed the responsibilities of volunteers, which include assisting employers with setup and breakdown, managing backpack storage, checking in students, and providing support to employers needing breaks or refreshments. Volunteers have the flexibility to choose specific time slots, with the option to start as early as 7:30 AM. This schedule not only allows them to contribute to the event's success but also ensures they have time to explore the career fair themselves. Future of BEAM Career Fair
According to Michelle, the current agenda with events like the BEAM career fair is to have it occur once a year complemented by smaller events featuring individual companies sprinkled in throughout the year. With Virginia Tech aiming to attract a new head for the BEAM department in the coming months, there are many exciting developments on the horizon.
Virginia Tech's Biomedical Engineering program recently received ABET accreditation, a significant milestone that underscores the quality and rigor of the education offered. Coupled with the lifting of the student number cap a few years ago, this development positions the program for exciting growth and innovation.
I anticipate that these advancements will attract increased interest from industry partners, particularly companies looking to tap into the fresh talent emerging from our program. It would be wonderful to see new companies participate in the upcoming events, as well as welcome back those that attended this year. The opportunity for collaboration and networking is invaluable, and I look forward to witnessing the dynamic exchange of ideas and opportunities that will benefit both students and industry representatives alike in the following years and events.
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