Jennifer W.

As a biomedical engineering student, Jennifer had plenty of lab experience at WPI, but a co-op at Boston Scientific gave her valuable hands-on experience in a professional setting and insight into her future career. Work in the materials lab at Boston Scientific—which included prototyping, testing, and developing test methods; analyzing and organizing results; and documentation and report writing—cemented her decision to focus on biomaterials for her master’s degree. Collaborating with a professional team strengthened her attention to detail while elevating her teamwork skills, and working with such a dedicated team demonstrated how her work makes a difference. “Boston Scientific employees know that what they are doing day-to-day has an impact on the patient—and they are passionate about it,” she says.

The co-op was so helpful professionally and personally, she urges others to do whatever they need to do (including taking summer classes or an extra class during some terms) to fit in a co-op. The experience bestows a broad perspective needed to be an effective student and employee. “I needed to focus on the bigger picture in order to succeed in physics, calculus, and chemistry,” she says.

Outside the classroom, Jennifer says her years as a member of Chi Omega sorority have been a lot of fun and have helped keep her sane when things get stressful.

With plans to stay at WPI for an additional year to earn her master’s degree in materials science, she hopes to eventually work as an engineer in Boston Scientific’s endoscopy research and development department.