Barbara Gosenheimer '98
Interface Manager, GE
Healthcare
Position Description:
My current role is multi-faceted and
characterized by three main functions: I lead a team of software engineers
and documentation specialists devoted to new product development, I manage
projects for new product releases, and I coordinate clinical
research by working as a liason with contracted researchers to gather
information that may be used in future product development.
Necessary education or experience:
Bachelor's degree in engineering, exposure to
marketing and direct contact with customers.
Key skills that are necessary to be successful
in your position:
Organization, ability to communicate with
various engineering specialties and medical personnel, presentation and
interviewing skills, and a pragmatic view to working through
projects. I completed my MBA 2 years ago, and I believe that has given me
a better perspective of the business environment and the importance of
financials, legal ramifications, and cultural integration.
A description of your path to your current
position:
I have been with the same company for 10
years, but I have held 5 different positions. I started off in Quality
Engineering after graduation, after a couple of years I took a temporary
position as a Visiting Scholar, shadowing an anesthesiologist in the clinical
environment. After this short-term assignment I took a position in
Usability Engineering and Technical Writing. A few years later I moved
into project management, and have taken on increased responsibility each year
with adding new tasks such as managing a team of software engineers and
working with our external researchers.
Good (and bad) aspects of your current
position:
I have become a "Jack of all trades,
master of none" by accepting the roles I have. This is good
because it has given me a better understanding for how a business works,
but less focus on engineering.
What do you enjoy about your current position?
Due to my close ties to marketing and
customers I am able to travel a fair amount throughout the year. I enjoy
having the opportunity to communicate directly with our customers, and I
believe this is critcial to success in project management. I feel I am good at
what I do and others appreciate what I do and respect me for it.
Any other advice?
Take a chance and apply for something that
interests you, even if you aren't sure where it will take you. The educational
background you will receive at MSOE will allow you to go to places you never
dreamed possible.
On MSOE and Biomedical Engineering
Do you think a degree in BE is a good choice?
Yes, the BE program gives students a broad
base of engineering theory upon which a career may be developed. The ability to
"make your own career" with this degree is what originally attracted
me to it.
Do you think MSOE is a good choice of
colleges?
I have NEVER regretted going to MSOE. MSOE is
dedicated to individual attention, and the placement of their new graduates.
State universities are not dedicated to either one. The additional cost
associated with a private university (like MSOE) is well worth it in the long
run.
Why did you choose MSOE's BE program?
I was interested in the medical field, and
wanted a career that would challenge me and make me use my mind.
What did you like about MSOE?
The fact that our graduating class was only 22
people. Everyone knew everyone else and what each individual excelled in. This
became a great support network especially throughout our senior year.
What did you like about the BE program?
Although we studied electrical, mechanical and
software engineering, we didn't have to spend three-to-four years on each one.
The program gave a great overview of all the disciplines, and each person knew
by graduation what they would (or would not) like to get a job doing.
Now that you have graduated and are in the
workforce, are you happy with the education that you received in the BE program
at MSOE?
Yes.
The engineering background is absolutely invaluable, regardless of what you end
up doing.| For information about MSOE's B.S. in Biomedical Engineering program, contact interim program director Dr. Charles Tritt at (414) 277-7421. |