BU Student, Vaibhavi Hansrajani
Name: Vaibhavi Hansrajani
Boston University College of Engineering, Class of 2023.
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Concentration: Machine Learning and Nanotechnology
Internship: Boston Medical Center (BMC)
- Tell us about your internship experience. What were your responsibilities?
This summer I had the opportunity to work with the Nephrology team at Boston Medical Center where I was able to get into the Boston University Kidney and Medical Engineering Program. This was a clinical immersion program that focused on technology development for kidney diseases. I worked closely with the care providers and patients in the hospitals to understand kidney disease from their perspectives. After a brief training period of observing interventional nephrology procedures, visiting dialysis centers, and medical device manufacturing sites, I was paired with a professor at Boston University to work on multiple projects like creating a real-time calculator that predicts a patient’s kidney function and modeling the working of an artificial kidney. My time with this internship has been quite enriching. It was the perfect blend of engineering and medicine to benefit the healthcare industry. I will be continuing my work on these projects throughout my senior year as well.
- What resources at BU or elsewhere did you use to get your internship?
During the spring semester of my junior year, I took a Design and Diagnostics class where I had the opportunity to attend a lecture by the principal investigators of this program. My professor has invited them as guest lecturers. This was one of the few opportunities my professor made me aware of. I am so thankful to the faculty for looking out for the students and suggesting internships and programs that are great fits. I then got in touch with the College of Engineering Career Development Office where they reviewed my resume, and abstracts and gave tips on finishing my application. They were quite helpful throughout the application process.
- What were your favorite parts of your internship? What are some lessons learned?
My favorite part of the internship was the people I met! Not only the two other interns who were employed in the same program as me but also the doctors, nurses, surgeons, professors, product manufacturers, and engineers. This was a great networking opportunity where I learned so much more than what was required of me. This taught me the power of networking. It is really important to connect with people in one’s field. As a rising senior, I have several doubts about what I would like to do after graduation and this internship helped me learn about all the opportunities students in my field engage in. I also learned how it is very important to be present at all times and flexible to work in a new environment. As an engineer, I never saw myself taking rounds in a hospital but it was a rewarding experience for the research I am currently working on. It also made me more comfortable to ask questions and know it’s alright to make mistakes. I certainly feel more prepared and excited for my full-time employment after graduation.
- What are three things your internship experience has thought you about working in the U.S. and your plans after graduation?
This being my very first in-person internship in the United States, I was a little apprehensive about voicing my ideas and opinions. However, having worked with so many people of diverse cultures I am confident and know that I do not have to worry about being international and having a different opinion, this is rather appreciated. I also learned that there is always going to be competition and it is important to step out of one’s comfort zone and try your hand in new projects to stand out. Lastly, this experience also taught me about all the visa regulations and paperwork I need to be mindful of while working in the U.S, be it internships or getting a full-time job after graduation. The Center for Career Development hosts events and talks to educate international students regarding this and was certainly my guide in knowing everything I should about working in the U.S. I hope to work in a medical device company after graduation and eventually get a master’s degree in the future!
