By Rachel Fulstone
Global Systems Performance Engineer - Terumo BCT
BS Mechanical Engineering – University of Nevada, Reno
MS Bioengineering – University of Denver
Like many others, I am a transplant to the Denver area. I grew up in Las Vegas, NV and after graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno with my Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, I moved to Denver to pursue a Master of Science in Bioengineering at the University of Denver. I graduated from DU in 2008 and started my job hunt…
Thanks to the unstable economy at that time, newbie engineering jobs were hard to come by. It took me six months to be hired on at a small research and development company, and it never quite felt like the right fit. I joined the Rocky Mountain Section of SWE to start networking. When I received the e-mail seeking volunteers for the 2009 GESTEM event, it was a no-brainer to volunteer. Not only was it a good cause to support but I also saw it as a potential networking opportunity for me. After all, engineering and science-based companies from all over Denver were going to be there. Maybe I would get lucky and meet someone that could propel me into my future career!
That is exactly what happened. The group that I toured around the event was assigned to the Terumo BCT (CaridianBCT at the time) room. I knew a little about Terumo BCT, most importantly that it is a medical device company, so this was perfect! Throughout the course of the event, I engaged with the company volunteers to learn what each one of them did at Terumo BCT and more about the company. I ended up exchanging contact information with one particular engineer, Lisa McMullen. We communicated several times through e-mail and phone conversations – mostly learning more about her role and discussing my interest in working at the company. Even though we did not have a long history, when a position became available in her group, Lisa stuck her neck out and recommended me to her boss.
As they say, the rest is history! I started in June of 2010 and have never looked back. Terumo BCT is a great company to work for and had I not volunteered for the GESTEM event and met Lisa, I would never be where I am today. It just goes to show you that opportunities may be hiding in unexpected places.
Global Systems Performance Engineer - Terumo BCT
BS Mechanical Engineering – University of Nevada, Reno
MS Bioengineering – University of Denver
Like many others, I am a transplant to the Denver area. I grew up in Las Vegas, NV and after graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno with my Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, I moved to Denver to pursue a Master of Science in Bioengineering at the University of Denver. I graduated from DU in 2008 and started my job hunt…
Thanks to the unstable economy at that time, newbie engineering jobs were hard to come by. It took me six months to be hired on at a small research and development company, and it never quite felt like the right fit. I joined the Rocky Mountain Section of SWE to start networking. When I received the e-mail seeking volunteers for the 2009 GESTEM event, it was a no-brainer to volunteer. Not only was it a good cause to support but I also saw it as a potential networking opportunity for me. After all, engineering and science-based companies from all over Denver were going to be there. Maybe I would get lucky and meet someone that could propel me into my future career!
That is exactly what happened. The group that I toured around the event was assigned to the Terumo BCT (CaridianBCT at the time) room. I knew a little about Terumo BCT, most importantly that it is a medical device company, so this was perfect! Throughout the course of the event, I engaged with the company volunteers to learn what each one of them did at Terumo BCT and more about the company. I ended up exchanging contact information with one particular engineer, Lisa McMullen. We communicated several times through e-mail and phone conversations – mostly learning more about her role and discussing my interest in working at the company. Even though we did not have a long history, when a position became available in her group, Lisa stuck her neck out and recommended me to her boss.
As they say, the rest is history! I started in June of 2010 and have never looked back. Terumo BCT is a great company to work for and had I not volunteered for the GESTEM event and met Lisa, I would never be where I am today. It just goes to show you that opportunities may be hiding in unexpected places.
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