Matthew Howard never intended to go to
medical school when he started as a freshman at South Dakota Mines.
“Definitely not. I never even considered a career in medicine until about
halfway through my junior year."
But the senior mechanical engineering
major will start medical school this summer, and he sees major advantages of
having an engineering degree first. The biggest – problem-solving skills. “The
problems that engineers and physicians are confronted with are very different,
but the ability to logically think through a solution is a skill that I believe
all engineers and doctors have in common,” he says.
Mines has unique pre-med and pre-healthcare programs that will give you a competitive edge and help you stand out as you launch your career in healthcare. From creating artificial bones with 3D
printers to doing robotic surgeries, the healthcare field is changing
dramatically due to booming technology. Who better to deal with this new
technology than engineer doctors?
“Whether it’s figuring out what is wrong
with a patient or troubleshooting medical equipment/software, engineers are a
huge asset to the healthcare field,” says Dr. Johnica Morrow, the program coordinator for nanoscience & biomedical engineering at Mines. “They bring unique perspectives to the
table, which makes them desirable applicants to medical programs and other
professional health programs, such as dentistry, pharmacy, physical therapy,
etc."
Have you always dreamed of being a doctor?
Well here are 10 reasons why you should consider getting an engineering degree
first:
1.
You’ll
be a more unique and competitive candidate for medical school. Med schools
recognize the value of an engineering degree.
2.
Engineering
school will prepare you for the rigors of medical school.
3.
Engineers
are trained to be problem-solvers and critical thinkers. They learn to assess
situations and develop solutions. Can you think of better qualities a doctor
should have?
4.
Engineers
are especially adaptable to change. They see past failures as opportunities for
improvement.
5.
If
you see a need for specific medical equipment – whether it’s a better clamp or
a robotic surgical arm - you’ll be able to conceptualize and maybe even develop
it.
6.
If
your medical equipment breaks, you’ll probably be able to fix it.
7.
Let's
face it - life happens - not everyone finishes medical school. With a
degree in engineering you will always have a high-paying job to fall back on.
At Mines the average starting salary for graduates is $68,685.
8.
You’ll
be great at documenting your work with patients. All those years in engineering
classes, writing out the mathematical proofs and lab reports have taught you
detailed note taking.
9.
Engineering
school teaches students to work in teams. Before you even enter medical school,
you’ll understand the advantage and the need to work together for the best
outcome.
10. Engineers
are practical and pragmatic by nature, making them decisive people willing to
take responsibility over failure to act when things need to be done quickly and
efficiently.
Engineering not for you? Mines has multiple options in unique pre-med and pre-healthcare programs that will help you achieve your career goals.