Over the past year, the Meinig School has partnered with Engineering Career Services to enhance students’ career development through targeted, year-round programming.
Curriculum
To reach students at different stages of their undergraduate journey, at least two career development sessions were embedded directly into sophomore, junior and senior courses. Sophomore and junior classes received early guidance on how to pursue summer internships, write strong résumés and begin networking. These sessions emphasized how to make the most of summer opportunities and introduced students to essential professional development strategies. For seniors, workshops focused on more advanced topics, including job application strategies, navigating job offers and overcoming common struggles encountered in the job search process.
Alumni Engagement
The department also prioritized expanding alumni engagement. A virtual alumni panel featured Meinig School graduates from a range of concentrations and career paths, giving current students an opportunity to hear first-hand about diverse professional trajectories. This event helps demystify different career options and underscored the value of building professional relationships. In addition, a network of alumni willing to advise and answer student questions was initiated, creating a new informal mentoring resource for undergraduates.
Networking Opportunities
Networking was further supported through department-organized welcome events where students met faculty and peers across class years in a relaxed, social setting. These gatherings encouraged students to begin practicing networking skills early and learn from others’ experiences.
Student Organizations
Student organizations played a key role in career preparation as well. The undergraduate chapter of the Biomedical Engineering Society hosted a panel with current Ph.D. students in the Meinig School to provide insights into graduate school. These discussions addressed application tips, the realities of graduate research, and how to decide whether graduate study is the right next step.
Looking forward, the department plans to increase the number of alumni engagement events and strengthen partnerships with biomedical companies. By inviting companies to campus to present or recruit, the department hopes to give students direct access to potential employers.
Have an idea or want to contribute? Get involved! Email bmeugrad@cornell.edu.