• Login
    • Join
  • FOLLOW:
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Top 30
    • Research
    • Supply Chain
    • Device Sectors
    • Directory
    • Events
    • Resources
    • Microsites
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Top 30
  • Research
  • Supply Chain
  • Device Sectors
  • Directory
  • Events
  • Resources
  • Microsites
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Editorial Guidelines
    Reprints
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    Pharmaceutical Focus: A Look at Combination Products

    The Printed World: Additive Manufacturing in Medtech

    The Lost Year: 2020 Year in Review

    Extrusion Evolution

    Little Big Parts: Micromolding Under the Microscope
    OEM News
    Supplier News
    Service / Press Releases
    Online Exclusives
    Press Releases
    People in the News
    Product & Service Releases
    Supplier News
    Medtech Makers
    Technical Features
    International News
    Videos
    Product & Service Releases
    Live From Shows
    Top News
    TPI Partners with Zeiss

    PPE Moves into New Manufacturing Facility

    Neurent Medical Closes $25 Million Series B Financing

    Alcon Releases PRECISION1 for Astigmatism Contact Lenses in U.S.

    FDA OKs Canon Medical's AI-Powered, 90cm Bore CT
    From the Editor
    Blogs
    Guest Opinions
    Top Opinions
    Pharmaceutical Focus: A Look at Combination Products

    The Printed World: Additive Manufacturing in Medtech

    The Lost Year: 2020 Year in Review

    Extrusion Evolution

    Little Big Parts: Micromolding Under the Microscope
    Top 30 Medical Device Companies
    Market Data
    White Papers
    Top Research
    Fixing Face Mask Form and Function

    The Heart of the Matter: Trends in Cardiology

    Virtually the Same? The Challenges of Online Conferences

    Digital Health Delivers During a Year for the Ages

    Advanced Technology for Staking and Swaging Medical Plastics
    3D/Additive Manufacturing
    Contract Manufacturing
    Electronics
    Machining & Laser Processing
    Materials
    Molding
    Packaging & Sterilization
    R&D & Design
    Software & IT
    Testing
    Tubing & Extrusion
    Cardiovascular
    Diagnostics
    Digital Health
    Neurological
    Patient Monitoring
    Surgical
    Orthopedics
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Capabilities
    Add New Company
    Outsourcing Directory
    Concise Engineering

    MW Life Sciences

    Spectrum Plastics Group

    Unicep

    Creganna Medical, part of TE Connectivity
    MPO Summit
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live From Show Event
    Industry Associations
    Videos
    Career Central
    eBook
    Slideshows
    Top Resources
    Meeting Critical Ventilator Product Requirements Amid Pandemic

    Impact of COVID-19 on the Medtech Supply Chain

    Finding the Upside to a Challenging Year

    Preparing Your Design Controls for FDA Approval

    A 'Trial and Error' Approach to Micromolded Parts
    Companies
    News Releases
    Product Releases
    Press Releases
    Product Spec Sheets
    Service Releases
    Case Studies
    White Papers
    Brochures
    Videos
    Outsourcing Directory
    Medbio LLC

    Unicep

    maxon

    MW Life Sciences

    Qosina Corp.
    • Magazine
      • Current/Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Editions
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • News
    • Directory
      • All Companies
      • ALL CATEGORIES
      • Industry Associations
      • Company Capabilities
      • Add Your Company
    • Supply Chain
      • 3D/Additive Manufacturing
      • Contract Manufacturing
      • Electronics
      • Machining & Laser Processing
      • Materials
      • Molding
      • Packaging & Sterilization
      • R&D & Design
      • Software & IT
      • Testing
      • Tubing & Extrusion
    • Device Sectors
      • Cardiovascular
      • Diagnostics
      • Digital Health
      • Neurological
      • Patient Monitoring
      • Surgical
      • Orthopedics
    • Top 30 Company Report
    • Expert Insights
    • Slideshows
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Resources
    • eBook
    • Infographics
    • Whitepapers
    • Research
      • White Papers
      • Case Studies
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Market Data
    • MPO Summit
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Microsite
      • Companies
      • Product Releases
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Services
      • White Papers / Tech Papers
      • Press Releases
      • Videos
      • Literature / Brochures
      • Case Studies
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise with Us
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Columns

    A Different Class of Engineer: How to Connect with Rising Medtech Talent

    ...

    A Different Class of Engineer: How to Connect with Rising Medtech Talent
    Related CONTENT
    • Coming Clean: Developing Standards for Cleaning Reusable Devices and Instruments
    • Empirical Celebrates 20 Years of Service in the Medical Device Industry
    • Empirical Machine Earns FDA Contract Manufacturer Designation
    • Top 5 of the Past 15: Moments that Shifted, Shaped, or Shook the Medical Device Industry
    • The Right Vendors Foster Growth: Why Firms of All Sizes Need to Outsource
    Dawn A. Lissy, President & Founder, Empirical09.07.18
    My grandfather—a World War II veteran who worked at GE in my native Cleveland—was one of my most beloved family members. When I told him I wanted to study engineering in college, he told me to find a university where I could get real, on-the-job training in addition to theory-based coursework.

    “I work with a whole bunch of really miserable engineers because they thought they were going to be working on the next space shuttle, but they’re really just busy designing screws for dishwashers,” he told me.

    I took his advice to heart.

    I chose the University of Cincinnati because at the time, it was one of the very few schools that required co-op experience over the course of study as part of an engineering degree. The degree took five years instead of four because of the required job exposure, but that extra year was well worth it—I got valuable exposure to manufacturing, packaging, industrial design, and testing. It’s where I learned not merely how to weather six restructures in a company, but that I truly love testing and product development. During my studies, I learned there was a service gap in the market for mechanical testing, which eventually led me to launch Empirical Testing Corp. 20 years ago.

    Those were lessons no textbook could teach.

    In simple terms, I think of an engineer as someone who knows what tools are in the toolbox and how to use them. You’re gathering tools in school, of course, but it’s not until you’re on a job that those tools are put to the test.

    I’m living proof of the power of experiential learning. That’s why I was happy to connect with Chris Yakacki, associate professor from the department of mechanical engineering for the University of Colorado-Denver. He also understands how critical that workplace exposure is when it comes to recruiting more bright young minds and bringing ambitious ideas to the medical device field.

    “I think a lot of times, there can be a disconnect [between industry and academia],” Yakacki said. “Students, they go to college for one reason and one reason only—to get a job. They don’t go for the degree, they want to get a job. From an institution standpoint, you have to understand where are the jobs, what are the needs for the people hiring.”

    Yakacki and his colleagues are working to bridge that common gap.

    “I think this has to be forefront,” Yakacki said. “The interaction should be there. It shouldn’t be two separate worlds. There needs to be a bridge between academia and industry.”

    From personal experience, I know it can be hard to track down the right person at a university who is positioned and motivated to support a pipeline of talent from their hallways to my lab or machine shop. It can take a level of persistence or luck that I don’t always have at my disposal. But the right people are out there.

    “There’s no easy map of how to do this,” Yakacki said. “It gets a little tricky to even know who’d be the best partners. Reach out and talk to the university. If you don’t talk to the right person right away, don’t get discouraged.”

    It’s not just about getting students into positions in the industry; it’s about getting industry experts into the classroom.

    “What we’ve tried to do and I like to push for, is trying to get people who do work in industry as adjuncts teaching—some schools do that,” he said. “The worst thing you can do is have a bunch of academics teach your entire curricula…There’s certain areas where academics do really well, but getting that insight, getting students exposed to (the workplace)—I think everyone likes real-life examples. They like to get their hands on things and get out of the building.”

    Sponsored research is another way to make inroads into emerging talent, Yakacki said. It can offer advantages to both the school and the company.

    “I think sponsored research with universities is a great way for the university to get projects and money, but it’s also beneficial to the company,” he said. “In terms of doing some basic studies with a university, we tend to be cheaper than working with consultants, but at the same time, you can kind of identify a pipeline.”

    Yakacki said he appreciates receiving calls from hiring managers who explain what they’re looking for and request applicants. That kind of discussion fosters stronger relationships and makes the hiring process more efficient.

    It all comes back to opening lines of communication, he said.

    “If you’re a company and you had someone teaching an elective, or if you’re doing sponsored research, when it comes time to hire, hiring can be a gamble and a frustrating process,” he said. “Don’t you think it’d be better if there were some overlap there? There’s no substitute for having worked on a project with somebody.”  


    Dawn Lissy is a biomedical engineer, entrepreneur, and innovator. Since 1998, the Empirical family of companies (Empirical Testing Corp., Empirical Consulting, LLC, and Empirical Machine, LLC) has operated under Lissy’s direction. Empirical offers the full range of regulatory and quality systems consulting, testing, small batch and prototype manufacturing, and validations services to bring a medical device to market. Empirical is very active within standards development organization ASTM International and has one of the widest scopes of test methods of any accredited independent lab in the United States. Because Lissy was a member of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence program, she has first-hand, in-depth knowledge of the regulatory landscape. Lissy holds an inventor patent for the Stackable Cage System for corpectomy and vertebrectomy. Her M.S. in biomedical engineering is from The University of Akron, Ohio.
    Related Searches
    • research
    • heart
    • quality
    • ge
    Suggested For You
    Coming Clean: Developing Standards for Cleaning Reusable Devices and Instruments Coming Clean: Developing Standards for Cleaning Reusable Devices and Instruments
    Empirical Celebrates 20 Years of Service in the Medical Device Industry Empirical Celebrates 20 Years of Service in the Medical Device Industry
    Empirical Machine Earns FDA Contract Manufacturer Designation Empirical Machine Earns FDA Contract Manufacturer Designation
    Top 5 of the Past 15: Moments that Shifted, Shaped, or Shook the Medical Device Industry Top 5 of the Past 15: Moments that Shifted, Shaped, or Shook the Medical Device Industry
    The Right Vendors Foster Growth: Why Firms of All Sizes Need to Outsource The Right Vendors Foster Growth: Why Firms of All Sizes Need to Outsource
    Learn from My Mistakes: Why You Need a Quality System Learn from My Mistakes: Why You Need a Quality System
    Material World: Is Titanium the New PEEK? Material World: Is Titanium the New PEEK?

    Related Columns

    • Fixing Face Mask Form and Function

      Fixing Face Mask Form and Function

      Masks for the general public are varied in both style and effectiveness.
      Sam Brusco, Associate Editor 11.04.20

    • Cardiovascular
      The Heart of the Matter: Trends in Cardiology

      The Heart of the Matter: Trends in Cardiology

      Of the three major segments of coronary stents, bioabsorbable stents are expected to have the highest growth between now and 2022.
      Maria Shepherd, President and Founder, Medi-Vantage 11.04.20

    • Virtually the Same? The Challenges of Online Conferences

      Virtually the Same? The Challenges of Online Conferences

      Like everyone else on the planet, I’m turning increasingly to virtual solutions to our physical challenges in the midst of a pandemic.
      Dawn A. Lissy, Founder & President, Empirical 11.04.20


    • Digital Health
      Digital Health Delivers During a Year for the Ages

      Digital Health Delivers During a Year for the Ages

      Internet of Medical Things technologies have emerged as the key enabler of a much more holistic and complete disease-state management toolbox.
      Brad Womble, Senior Director of Strategy, Marketing, and Mergers & Acquisitions, Jabil Healthcare 11.04.20

    • Advanced Technology for Staking and Swaging Medical Plastics

      Advanced Technology for Staking and Swaging Medical Plastics

      It reliably assembles heat- and vibration-sensitive components, and works with a wide range of plastic materials.
      Priyank Kishor, Global Product Manager—PulseStaking, Branson at Emerson 11.04.20

    • Quality Assurance When Supply Chain Disruptions Arise

      Quality Assurance When Supply Chain Disruptions Arise

      From supply chain disruptions to impromptu manufacturing modifications, the medical device industry has faced a whirlwind of complications in 2020.
      Sandi Schaible and Peter Steen, WuXi AppTec Medical Device Testing 11.04.20


    • The Top 30 and M&A in 2021: What’s Next?

      The Top 30 and M&A in 2021: What’s Next?

      With three of the top five companies appointing new CEOs in the last year and the global pandemic eroding earnings, M&A strategies could look a lot different.
      Florence Joffroy-Black and Dave Sheppard, MedWorld Advisors 11.04.20

    • COVID 19: Supply Chain Professionals’ Ultimate Reality Challenge

      COVID 19: Supply Chain Professionals’ Ultimate Reality Challenge

      Having been a part of the medtech supply chain for 40 years, I can say there has never been a more difficult time for supply chain professionals.
      Chris Oleksy, Founder and CEO, Oleksy Enterprises and Next Life Medical; CEO, Emergent Respiratory 11.04.20

    • Congress Examines Additional COVID-19 Relief and Recent Regulatory Changes

      Congress Examines Additional COVID-19 Relief and Recent Regulatory Changes

      The legislative year is nearly coming to a close as Washington survives yet another tumultuous election cycle.
      Jeffrey J. Kimbell, Eric P. Juhl, JD and David C. Rudloff, Jeffrey J. Kimbell & Associates Inc. 11.04.20


    • 3D/Additive Manufacturing
      Additive Manufacturing: Debinding Fluids Must-Haves

      Additive Manufacturing: Debinding Fluids Must-Haves

      As the pressure to produce more complex biomedical parts increases, medical device manufacturing using 3D printing is gaining widespread acceptance.
      Venesia Hurtubise, Technical Chemist, MicroCare Medical 11.04.20

    • Diagnostics
       How COVID-19 is Reshaping the Diagnostics Testing Sector

      How COVID-19 is Reshaping the Diagnostics Testing Sector

      The short-term impact on the diagnostics sector is readily apparent as the pandemic has fueled overwhelming demand for effective SARS-CoV-2 testing solutions.
      Eric Williams, Managing Director, Capstone Headwaters 11.04.20

    • Will Industry’s COVID-19 Recovery End Prematurely?

      Will Industry’s COVID-19 Recovery End Prematurely?

      Finally, a light at the end of the tunnel, but will it remain lit?
      Michael Barbella, Managing Editor 10.01.20


    • Surgical
      Hype or Hope? The Future of Surgical Robotics

      Hype or Hope? The Future of Surgical Robotics

      Recent publications suggest the U.S. performs more robotic surgery than every other country in the world.
      Maria Shepherd, President and Founder, Medi-Vantage 10.01.20

    • COVID Community: How the Pandemic Is Bringing Out the Best in Us

      COVID Community: How the Pandemic Is Bringing Out the Best in Us

      Given the brain power and generosity of our industry, I knew I could follow the wisdom of Fred Rogers’ mother and “look for the helpers.”
      Dawn A. Lissy, Founder & President, Empirical 10.01.20

    • Electronics
      Why Applying Cleanliness Standards to Outsourced Medical Electronics Is Important

      Why Applying Cleanliness Standards to Outsourced Medical Electronics Is Important

      When looking to outsource the manufacture of electronic medical devices, cleanliness standards and processes should be a top consideration.
      Jay Tourigny, Senior Vice President, MicroCare Medical 10.01.20


    Trending
    • Telemedicine, Regulatory Changes To Characterize Medtech Industry In 2021
    • Masimo Earns CE Mark For New Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
    • Philips Buys Capsule Technologies In $635M Deal
    • Understanding Food-Grade Vs. Biocompatibility For Medical Device Materials
    • Medtech Matters: Surgeons Scrubbing In Virtually
    Breaking News
    • TPI Partners with Zeiss
    • PPE Moves into New Manufacturing Facility
    • Neurent Medical Closes $25 Million Series B Financing
    • Alcon Releases PRECISION1 for Astigmatism Contact Lenses in U.S.
    • FDA OKs Canon Medical's AI-Powered, 90cm Bore CT
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    November/December 2020

    • Pharmaceutical Focus: A Look at Combination Products
    • The Printed World: Additive Manufacturing in Medtech
    • The Lost Year: 2020 Year in Review
    • View More >

    Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
    You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    NIH Study Compares Low-Fat, Plant-based to Low-Carb, Animal-Based Diet
    Gadot Positions Mineral Line for Vegan Market
    Nutritfy India to Launch Global Broadcast Channel Covering Nutrition
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    IGL Coatings Launches Graphene Reinforced Dual System Ceramic Coating
    Miller Paint Declares Simple Serenity its 2021 Color of the Year
    TAUBMANS Paint by PPG Releases ‘Chromatic Joy’ Palettes
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    TPI Partners with Zeiss
    PPE Moves into New Manufacturing Facility
    Neurent Medical Closes $25 Million Series B Financing
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    WDSrx Expands Warehouse Network
    Piramal Inks Clinical Supply Deal with Theratechnologies
    Recipharm Signs Manufacturing Deal with Enzymatica
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Lageen Tubes Launches Mono-Material PE Tube Solutions
    Jason Jones Loses Battle with Covid-19
    Weleda Celebrates 100 Years By 'Opening' Its Gardens
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    RB Buys Queen V
    NY's 1,4-Dioxane Law May Impact Concentrated Cleaners
    Sabinsa's Top Scientist Addresses US FDA
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Morancé Soudure France Adds Comexi F2 MC 10-color Flexo Press
    THIMM Group Installs 1st Koenig & Bauer CorruFLEX
    Cowan Graphics Adds Fujifilm Inca OnsetX3 HS
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    Lemu Group engineers mask-making machine
    Niagara Label upgrades with Nilpeter flexo press
    Soma partners with Moore & Moore in US
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    Minet Adds Spunlace Line in Romania
    Lemu Group Engineers Mask-Making Machine
    Armbrust American Adds Meltblown Manufacturing
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Siemens Healthineers’ DR Systems Cleared by FDA
    Former Medtronic Exec Appointed Zimmer Biomet's Chief Transformation Officer
    SeaSpine Launches Regatta Lateral Plates
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    UDC Subsidiary Adesis' Website Wins 2020 MarCom Platinum Award
    Roadsimple Modernizes Warehouse Ops with Zebra Technologies
    Graphene Flagship Launches Redesigned Website

    Copyright © 2021 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

    AD BLOCKER DETECTED

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
    Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


    FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login