For high school students: break into biomedical engineering
Thinking about biomedical engineering but not sure what it really involves, or how to get there? Let's figure it out together. Biomedical engineering and medtech are one of the most exciting and meaningful fields a student can pursue. It sits where engineering meets medicine: designing devices that keep hearts beating, tools that help surgeons operate more precisely, and technologies that help people manage chronic disease. It's also a field that many high schoolers, and their parents, find hard to picture. What do biomedical engineers actually do all day? Which schools are strong in it? And what can a student do now, in high school, to stand out? I've lived this path from start to finish. I earned dual degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science from Carnegie Mellon. I spent 15+ years at Medtronic building medical devices, and I hold five U.S. patents. As a hiring manager in the medical device industry, I've seen what makes a candidate stand out, and I know that those habits start forming long before college. Today I'm a co-founder of a consumer health company, so I can also speak to the entrepreneurial side of the field. In our time together, I'll give you an honest, insider's view of the career, help you think through college choices, and leave you with concrete next steps you can act on right away. This package is a great fit for: + High school students (any grade) or parents of high school students who are curious about biomedical engineering or related fields + Students deciding between BME and other majors like mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or pre-med + Parents who want to understand the field and help their student make informed decisions (parents are welcome to join sessions or book on their own) What we'll cover: + What biomedical engineers actually do: the types of roles (R&D, product design, quality, regulatory, clinical research, manufacturing, and more), the industries they work in, and the kinds of companies that hire them, from large medtech leaders to startups + How to choose a program: what to look for in a BME program beyond rankings, including research access, co-op and internship pipelines, specialty areas, and ties to hospitals and industry + Great schools for BME: a look at well-known programs as well as strong options that often get overlooked + How to get in: what coursework to prioritize and how to present your interest in engineering and health in a way that's genuine and compelling + How to build experience in high school: research programs, summer opportunities, competitions, volunteering, shadowing, and how to reach out for internships and lab experience My style is warm, real, and action-oriented. You won't leave with vague advice. You'll leave knowing what to do next.
What's included
My coaching style is warm, friendly, and very real. I'll give you an honest picture of what biomedical engineering is like, including the parts that don't show up in college brochures. I'm also action-oriented, so every session ends with clear, specific next steps and you leave knowing exactly what to do. Before we meet, you'll complete a short intake questionnaire so I can understand your interests, strengths, grade level, and goals. During our sessions, we'll have an open, two-way conversation where I share real examples from my career, answer your questions directly, and help you think through your options. After each session, you'll receive written notes with personalized next steps and resources so nothing gets lost. Parents are always welcome to join or ask their own questions. What sets me apart is that I've lived this path. I earned dual degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science from Carnegie Mellon and spent 15+ years at Medtronic designing medical devices, earning five U.S. patents along the way. As a hiring manager in the medical device industry, I know what companies look for in young engineers, and I can help you start building those qualities now. I'm connected with engineers and leaders across medtech, so my perspective goes beyond a single company. My own path from engineering to a UCLA Anderson MBA to co-founding a consumer health company shows how many directions a BME degree can take you. I'm also a parent, so I understand the questions and concerns families have as students plan for college.
- Real-world experience and insider knowledge: See what it's really like to work as a biomedical engineer in the medtech industry.
- An action plan: Get specific steps you can take today to strengthen your path into a BME program.
- Confidence in your choice: Know whether biomedical engineering is the right career for you (or your child).
Meet your expert
Belinda L.
Ex-Medtronic Biomedical Engineer | 30+ Devices, 5 Patents | Product Dev
I've been in business since I was two years old — literally. I grew up behind the counter of my parents' gift shop, the child of immigrants who built something out of nothing because it was the only option they had. I didn't learn business from a textbook first; I learned it by watching my parents make it work, day after day, long before I ever set foot in a classroom. That upbringing is where my instinct for business actually comes from, and it's shaped everything I've done since — from earning engineering degrees at Carnegie Mellon, to leading product development on life-changing medical technology at Medtronic, to co-founding ELIMS Oral Care with my husband, which we've bootstrapped and grown together while raising our three kids. I think that mix is what makes me a different kind of coach. I've sat in boardrooms at a Fortune 500 company and I've also stayed up too late packing orders myself. I know what it's like to build something with real resources behind you, and I know what it's like to build something with almost none — and I genuinely love helping other founders and professionals figure out which lessons from each world actually apply to their situation. Outside of work, you'll usually find me traveling, hanging out with my kids (my literal best friends), or thinking about how business and sustainability don't have to be at odds. If any part of my story sounds like yours, I'd love to work together!
