For aspiring engineers, the journey from university to a thriving career is paved with opportunities for growth and learning. Nathan Mahary, a bright Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering undergraduate from CU Boulder, exemplifies this trajectory. His internship experience at Medtronic, a global leader in medical technology, showcases the powerful Career Development Tools Medtronic offers to shape future industry professionals. Coupled with his active involvement in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Nathan’s story highlights how strategic opportunities and dedicated programs can significantly accelerate career progression.
Medtronic stands as a pivotal force in healthcare, impacting 70 diverse health conditions through advanced technologies ranging from life-sustaining cardiac devices to intricate surgical robotics. For students like Nathan, Medtronic’s internship program isn’t just about gaining work experience; it’s a comprehensive career development tool designed to cultivate practical skills and industry insights.
Alt text: Nathan Mahary, a CU Boulder engineering intern, gains hands-on experience with surgical operations software at Medtronic, a leading medical device innovator.
From Curiosity to Career Path: Electrical & Computer Engineering at Medtronic
Nathan’s initial fascination with engineering stemmed from a childhood curiosity about electronics. “Growing up, I loved playing with electronics,” Nathan recalls, “taking apart RC cars and helicopters and putting them back together.” This natural inclination led him to a high school robotics program, solidifying his passion for the blend of electrical and software engineering. Choosing Electrical and Computer Engineering at CU Boulder was a natural progression, driven by his desire to work across both hardware and software domains.
Medtronic emerged as a potential career avenue through NSBE, a crucial career development tool in itself. The organization facilitated a connection that proved instrumental for Nathan. “Through NSBE, we had a connection with Medtronic,” he explains. “Medtronic invited NSBE members to visit their facility, and they asked for resumes for anyone interested in learning about their career opportunities.” This proactive engagement from Medtronic underscores its commitment to nurturing talent and providing pathways for young engineers from diverse backgrounds. Nathan’s initiative to submit his resume led to an interview and subsequently, his valuable internship.
Internship Projects: Building Technical Skills and Industry Acumen
At Medtronic, Nathan’s role was deeply embedded in software engineering. He was tasked with developing a testing application for the surgical operations software team. This project became a focused career development tool, pushing him to expand his programming skills. “I wasn’t very strong in Python at that time, so my mentor encouraged me to work on that,” Nathan notes. By the end of the internship, he had significantly enhanced his Python coding abilities, a testament to the practical, skill-building nature of the Medtronic internship.
Beyond technical proficiency, the internship broadened Nathan’s perspective on career possibilities. Initially focused on space technology, he discovered the profound impact of medical technology. “It was an eye-opening experience because I never saw myself working in the medical field,” Nathan admits. “My true passion has been space technology, but this internship showed me how impactful and rewarding medical technology can be.” This realization is a key aspect of career development tools – exposure to diverse fields and the potential to align personal passions with impactful industries.
Teamwork, Mentorship, and Expanding Horizons: Essential Career Development Tools
Medtronic’s internship program extends beyond project-based learning. It incorporates crucial elements of professional growth, such as teamwork and mentorship. Nathan highlights the significance of learning to collaborate within a large team, a contrast to his university project experiences. “At Medtronic, I was part of a much larger team, and I had to learn how to do my part while integrating my work into a bigger system,” he explains. This experience in team dynamics is an invaluable career development tool, preparing interns for the collaborative nature of industry work.
Mentorship and the opportunity to shadow experienced engineers further enriched Nathan’s internship. His electrical engineering background led him to seek experiences beyond software. “One of the managers connected me with a hardware engineer who I got to work with in the lab where I soldered components and learned more about the hardware,” Nathan recounts. This hands-on experience, facilitated by Medtronic’s supportive environment, allowed him to stay connected to his core engineering interests and explore different facets of the industry.
Alt text: Nathan Mahary and NSBE chapter members from CU Boulder at the 2024 National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, showcasing the society’s role in engineering career development.
NSBE: A Foundational Career Development Resource
NSBE’s influence on Nathan’s professional trajectory is undeniable. He credits the organization with shaping his approach to career development. “NSBE has played a huge role in my college journey,” Nathan states. Initially focused solely on academics, NSBE broadened his understanding of professional engineering. “NSBE introduced me to the professional side of engineering: how to market myself, build a resume and practice for interviews,” he explains. These are foundational career development tools that NSBE provides to its members, bridging the gap between academic learning and industry readiness.
Nathan’s active participation in NSBE, culminating in his role as Vice President, provided him with leadership skills and a platform to contribute to others’ career journeys. This reciprocal relationship – benefiting from NSBE’s resources and contributing to its mission – further amplified his career development.
The NSBE National Convention stands out as a premier career development tool. Nathan emphasizes its impact: “The NSBE National Convention is an incredible opportunity, and I always encourage students to attend.” With hundreds of companies and graduate schools participating, the career fair offers unparalleled access to internships and job opportunities. This concentrated exposure significantly enhances students’ chances of securing valuable industry positions.
Future Forged: Medtronic and Beyond
Looking ahead, Nathan’s post-graduation plans are firmly rooted in the career development he has cultivated. He is set to return to Medtronic as a software engineer, a direct result of his successful internship. This transition from intern to full-time employee underscores the effectiveness of Medtronic’s internship program as a career development tool, providing a pipeline for future talent.
Furthermore, Nathan’s entrepreneurial spirit, nurtured by his business minor and an engineering management course, is driving him towards a startup venture. Whether through Medtronic or his entrepreneurial pursuits, Nathan’s future is bright, shaped by the experiences and career development tools he has embraced. Medtronic’s commitment to fostering young talent, combined with the resources and network provided by NSBE, have been instrumental in launching Nathan Mahary on a promising engineering career path.
