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In a typical day of 24 hours the greater portion of the day is the one spent working and for those in school much of their time is spent learning in a classroom. Therefore its only logical that for you to have a fulfilling life much of your time should be spent on something you enjoy and love doing so much as it doesnt feel like work at all. Career planning is a very important step towards achieving that fulfilling and satisfying job.

According to Dr Timothy Buttler and life coach C J Liun, while choosing a career or when considering a change from one some issues are vital and should always be put into consideration. To start with one needs to look at the issues things that make on to crave for that job. It could be the pay, the benefits that come along with a career in the chosen field, ones level of satisfaction (or dissatisfaction) and goals such as money, time off or flexibility. Everything ender this need to be put down on paper. One also needs to understand hiher inner critic. This can be achieved by observing ones thought that prevent one from achieving hisher goals. These also need to be put down on paper, the paper crumbled and thrown away to symbolize freedom from thoughts that interfere with ones goals and dreams. In this article I will focus on how to become a Biomedical Engineer as the first career choice and if for some reason am not able to pursue a career in this field take a Biochemist as the second career choice.

1st Career Choice Biomedical Engineer
A Biomedical engineer uses his vast knowledge of engineering, biology, and biomechanical laws and principles to design, develop and evaluate devices such as artificial organs, and procedures such as medical information, healthcare management and delivery systems.

According to Dr Bronzino in Biomedical Engineering handbook second edition, biomedical engineering involves the application of engineering expertise to the life sciences. This requires an extensive knowledge of contemporary technical theory and its applications. It also demands an adequate knowledge and understanding of relevant medicine and biology.

On a typical day, a biomedical engineer is involved in designing and developing new products, evaluating how safe, efficient and effective biomedical equipment are for use. They also install, adjust, maintain and repair biomedical equipment, as well as offering professional advice to hospitals on planning, and purchase of biomedical equipment. In general they provide an overall improvement of healthcare provision. Biomedical engineers work along with other healthcare professionals including physicians, nurses, therapists and technicians. They may be called upon in a wide variety of capacities needed to solve clinical problems.

The median total expected compensation of a biomedical engineer in the United States is 49,843. This includes basic salary (70), bonuses (0), social security (5), disability (1), healthcare (9), pension (4), and time off (9) of total compensation. However this may vary depending on factors such as employer size, industry, employee credentials, years of experience and others for which the employee may be compensated.

The basic requirements for an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering are good background in mathematics, (especially calculus, trigonometry, algebra  geometry) Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and additionally English, Social studies and humanities. Bachelors degree programs normally take 4-5 years with the first two years involving studies in Mathematics, basic Sciences, introduction to engineering, humanities as well as social Sciences. The last two years are spent studying engineering courses and mostly in one specialty. In principle, the intersection of each engineering discipline with each discipline in medicine or biology provides a potential area of biomedical engineering application. (Some of the engineering disciplines include electrical, mechanical and chemical engineering while examples of disciplines in medicine include cardiology, pathology, and neurology. Biochemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology, cell biology are some examples of areas in biology) Intersections of most of the above contain active areas of research and development. Some of the specialties in biomedical engineering include biomaterials, biomechanics, medical imaging, and orthopedic engineering. After graduating with an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering, one can choose to advance by undertaking a graduate degree in any of these specialties.
To offer direct services to the public, a biomedical engineer must be registered or licensed. In order to be licensed, one must graduate from an ABET (Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology) accredited program. ABET mandate is to accredit all Engineering programs in colleges and Universities.

Biomedical engineering is my first career choice, the flexibility and room for creativity that comes along with being in this career provides one with great opportunities for personal growth and development. However for one reason or the other if unable to pursue this career, I would still choose a career that applies knowledge of biology in solving medical problems. I would pursue biochemistry.

2nd Career Choice Biochemist
Biochemists study the chemical composition and characteristics of every living cell and organisms. The principles of Chemistry, Biology, genetics, Mathematics and Physics are utilized in investigations of biomolecules, organs, cells, tissues and organisms.

They conduct research on various combinations, reactions involved in metabolism, reproduction, growth and inheritance. They offer their services mostly in form of advice to the foods and drug manufacturers on the safety and effects of use of consumer products such as foods, drugs and other substances on tissues and vital biological processes. They are also involved in product development and improvement in these industries.

A biochemical researcher breaks down complex biological systems into constituent parts. Most of them get into basic or applied research those in applied research use their basic research skills and employ them to benefit medicine, agriculture, vet medicine, environmental science and manufacturing. These fields facilitate one to find a specialty such as clinical biochemistry which involves working in a hospital lab studying tissues and fluids of the body to help in the treatment of diseases. Industrial biochemists undertake analytical research in the manufacturing and processing industry.

As they gain experience, biochemists gain greater control of their research and may opt to advance to lead researchers directing a team of scientists or technicians. Some work as consultants to businesses in the private sector or to government agencies. Those dependent on research grants are constrained by funding agencies and may spend much time writing grant proposals. Still others get into managerial positions and become natural science managers where they plan and enact programs for testing products such as foods and drugs. Some leave biochemistry field for nontechnical managerial, administration sales jobs.

The level of job satisfaction in a biochemist career is high with one reason being the good pay they get, flexibility to allow growth and also because to advance in this field depends on individual effort and industry as it relates to performance and creativity in coming up with new products developed within the laws and principles governing research in biochemistry.

The mean annual compensation is about 80,000 which may vary depending on the industry in which one is working in, experience, level of education and employee credibility among other things. Biochemists in the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry were the highest earning in 2006 according to the US department of labor statistics with an average annual compensation of 90,920. Scientific research and development services offered an annual pay of 84,080 followed by general medical and surgical hospitals at 80,330, then the state government at 48,940 and colleges, universities and professional schools offering 48,660.

Experience is a very big determinant of the level of pay in the United States. For instance, according to salary survey for doctorate degree (Biochemistry, United states 2010) the median salary by years of experience was as follows less then one year experience the pay is 61,613, 1-4 years experience 67,107, 5-9 years its 74,456, 10-19 years the pay is 94,999 and 20 years and over are the best paid at 117,920.

The careers described above require a very curious mind and one who likes experimenting with the expectation to come up with innovative products or ideas that either make doing things easier or help solve problems. Both involve years of study and a lot of intensive laboratory work, therefore patience and perseverance are vital.