Where did you co-op and what was your role?
I worked at Boston Scientific as an R&D mechanical engineering co-op.
Why did you pursue this opportunity?
I wanted to dive into the med tech industry to develop an engineering mindset, to learn how to think critically and problem solve for a company with high impact in the healthcare field.
Can you describe a typical day?
A typical day involved mechanical testing on machinery, designing prototypes for device parts and test fixtures on SOLIDWORKS, working on technical reports, and conducting root cause failure analysis on medical device parts.
What new skills did you learn?
I learned several new skills including SOLIDWORKS and 3D design software, 3D printing, mechanical testing, and technical report writing and presentation skills.
Were there any challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Not having an engineering background from school or technical engineering skills was a challenge for me. I started from square one to understand and learn how to be an efficient worker and gain independent problem-solving skills as an engineer.
What is something you worked on that you are particularly proud of?
I am proud of creating my own prototype designs for part of the device I was working on and owning that workstream from start to finish. I designed and created the parts, completed testing, analyzed the data, wrote a report, and presented it to my team.
Was there anything you were surprised by?
I was surprised by the independence and freedom I had to create my own ideas and test them out.
How has this experience impacted your education and/or career path?
It showed me to take risks and push myself outside my comfort zone even if I am learning or trying something completely new in my career.
Lily Garrett ’25, Biochemistry
What advice would you give to a fellow student embarking on their first co-op?
My advice is to try something new—push yourself to try a new field outside what you thought you would do.
