Georgia Tech’s Biomedical Engineering Co-op Program

Georgia Tech offers an excellent co-op program for Biomedical Engineering (BME) students, providing them with the chance to integrate classroom knowledge with real-world experience in the industry. The co-op program allows students to alternate between semesters of full-time work and academic study, extending their graduation date but significantly boosting their employability. Companies in the biotech, medical device, and healthcare industries collaborate with Georgia Tech to offer these positions, giving students hands-on experience in a highly competitive field.

Benefits of the Co-op Program:

1. Practical Industry Experience: Biomedical engineering students gain practical skills and technical expertise by working with some of the top companies in the biomedical sector. They have opportunities to work on real-life projects that contribute to human health and medical innovation.
2. Earning While Learning: Students receive paid employment while completing their co-op assignments. This financial incentive helps offset the cost of education and allows them to graduate with less debt.
3. Networking Opportunities: By working with professionals and industry leaders, co-op students build a strong network of contacts that can be beneficial when seeking full-time employment post-graduation.
4. Enhanced Job Prospects: BME students who participate in the co-op program are often more attractive to potential employers. Their hands-on experience gives them an edge in the job market, particularly in fields such as medical device design, bioinformatics, and healthcare consulting.
5. Developing Professional Skills: Aside from technical expertise, co-op students develop soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. These attributes are crucial for career success and help prepare students for the diverse challenges of the biomedical field.

How It Works:

Students typically begin their co-op assignments after completing their sophomore year, alternating between academic terms and work assignments until they’ve completed three semesters of co-op work. This means a typical co-op program lasts five years instead of four, but students graduate with substantial practical experience. The program is flexible, allowing students to tailor their co-op experience to their specific interests in the biomedical field.

Companies That Partner with Georgia Tech BME Co-op:

Some of the well-known companies that offer co-op placements to Georgia Tech BME students include:

• Medtronic
• Boston Scientific
• Stryker
• Siemens Healthcare
• GE Healthcare

These companies often look to Georgia Tech for skilled students to work on developing cutting-edge technologies in medical devices, imaging systems, and healthcare innovations. By partnering with top companies, Georgia Tech ensures that students gain exposure to meaningful projects that impact the future of healthcare.

Getting Involved:

To participate in the co-op program, students need to register with Georgia Tech’s Center for Career Discovery and Development (C2D2). C2D2 helps students secure placements, prepare resumes, and practice interview skills. The application process is competitive, and students are encouraged to maintain a strong GPA and engage in extracurricular activities to improve their chances of securing a co-op position.

Long-term Benefits:

Graduates who participated in the BME co-op program often find higher-paying jobs and quicker employment than their peers. Employers value the hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities that co-op students develop. Furthermore, many students receive job offers from the companies where they completed their co-op assignments.

Georgia Tech’s co-op program in Biomedical Engineering is an invaluable experience for students seeking to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application. It not only enhances technical skills but also equips students with the professional and personal growth necessary to thrive in a competitive job market.

For more detailed information about how to apply for the co-op program, visit the Georgia Tech Center for Career Discovery and Development website or check out the BME program page.