One of the fastest growing industries in the country, the healthcare industry is a fast-paced and challenging work environment that directly impacts the population. While clinical practitioner roles are in high demand, there is also job growth in non-clinical roles that span across other industry areas.
There are several key sectors within the health and medicine industry:
Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology
Pharma and biotech industry produces drugs and other products that help people and animals live healthier lives, recover from injuries and fight illnesses. It has become one of the leading industries in the world today and is one of the 10 most profitable industries in the United States. Large companies, sometimes known as innovative pharmaceutical companies, produce chemically derived drugs and run huge research, development and manufacturing efforts. Newer firms are involved in developing new drugs. Generic drug manufacturers produce drugs developed by other manufacturers after the drug’s patent expires. Roughly 42% of Biomedical Engineers hold a Master’s Degree
Pharma & biotech companies produce 3 types of products:
- Prescription drugs used to treat, cure or prevent conditions or diseases
- Devices and tests to diagnose disease
- Over-the-counter consumer products such as drugs and vitamins
Clinical Healthcare
Clinical roles in healthcare refer to professionals who work with patients in a wide variety of roles such as physicians, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists, physician assistants and more. Each of these roles require completion of specific health professional programs. For guidance on preparation, application, and entry to the clinical health professions, contact the AU Pre-Health Advising Program in the College of Sciences and Mathematics.
SAMPLE JOB TITLES
- Academic or industry research director
- Associate District Representative
- Automation Engineer
- Bioengineers
- Biomechanical Engineer
- Biomedical Research Scientist
- Clinical Account Specialist
- Computational Biomedical Engineer
- Health Systems Engineer
- Management Engineer
- Medical Device Engineer
- Process Engineer
- Quality Engineer
- Rehabilitation Engineer
- Site Production Manager
- Software Developer
- Technical Solutions Engineer
SAMPLE HIRING ORGANIZATIONS
- Abbott
- Amgen
- Baxter
- Biosense Webster
- Duke Health System
- Eli Lilly
- Epic Solutions
- Evonik
- Johnson & Johnson
- McKesson
- Medtronic
- Merck and Co.
- NaphCare
- Ovation Healthcare
- Pfizer
- Pharmavite
- PRA Health Sciences
- Scapa Healthcare
- Steris Corporation
- Stryker Corporation
RECRUITING TIMELINE
Depending on the type of employer and the role, the recruitment timelines vary. Governmental organizations, large companies, and manufacturers recruit most heavily in the fall for positions starting in the spring or summer. Opportunities still exist beyond the fall but are often more niche opportunities with smaller companies. Additionally, companies will hire throughout the year depending on the needs and demands of their projects or government contracts.
Seek opportunities to connect with employers at fall events such as the fall Engineering Career Fair, as well as at employer table talks, employer-in-residence, Ask Alumni Anything chats and student organization meetings. Search for posted opportunities on Handshake and other sources referenced below.
SAMPLE OPPORTUNITIES
Student Organizations
- Alpha Epsilon Delta Health Professions Honor Society
- American Institute of Chemical Engineers
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Biomedical Engineering Society
- Global Medical Training
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & INDUSTRY RESOURCES
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- American Chemical Society
- American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering Society
- IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
- Medical Device Manufacturers Association
- Society of Manufacturing Engineers
- AU Biomechanical Engineering Lab (AUBE)
- Biomolecular Systems Modeling and Design Group
- Controls, Autonomy, and Rehabilitation Engineering (CARE) Group
- Mistriotis Lab
- Lipke Lab
- Wearable and Bio-Robotics (WeBR) Lab
Internships + Co-ops
With sample hiring organizations and companies recruiting through
- Engineering Career Fairs & Industry Days
- Handshake job platform
- USAjobs.gov
Meet with an Engineering Career Coach for more information about accessing opportunities + strategizing your search for co-ops, internships, research, and more.
ALUMNI IN THE INDUSTRY
- Bo Bradford, '15 Mechanical | Senior Business Director - Gulf Coast Neuro SPEC | Eli Lilly and Company
- Brad Cates, '95 Chemical | Global Business Segment Head | Evonik
- Brian Sullivan, MD, '07 Chemical | Otolaryngologist - Head & Neck Surgeon | Premier Medical
- Camille DiCarlo, '22 & '24 Industrial & Systems | Ambulatory Operations Analyst | Duke University Health Systems
- Greg Nichols, '89 Biosystems | Executive Vice President | East Alabama Medical
- Hunter Rogers, PhD, '12 & '14 Chemical | Principal | Cleveland Clinic Ventures
- Jacob Beauchamp, '18 Industrial & Systems | Senior Director, Data Services | National Kidney Foundation
- Jani Sarratt Bowen, '13 & '15 Industrial & Systems | Clinical Director of Process Engineering | HCA Healthcare
- Jasmyne Brown, '17 Industrial & Systems | Director of Operational Excellence | Emory Healthcare
- Kristen Metzler, '07 Industrial & Systems | Vice President of Partnerships | Main Street Health
- Mark Norton, '13 Mechanical | Founder & CEO | AdeleHealth Inc
- Parul Singh, '16 Computer Science | Senior Software Engineer | Abbott
- Rachel Helm, '17 Biosystems | Regional Therapy Advancement Manager | Johnson & Johnson MedTech
- Walt Woltosz, '69 and '77 Aerospace | Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors | Simulations Plus, Inc
You can access alumni such as these to learn about career paths, skills for the industry, and build your network through LinkedIn. Create an account and build your profile, then search for Auburn alumni by major, company, location, or other criteria on the Auburn University LinkedIn page. Chat with an Engineering Career Coach on strategies for networking and reaching out to connect.