The $200,000, 4-Year Investment with a 10%-40% Failure Rate: A College DegreeThe $200,000, 4-Year Investment with a 10%-40% Failure Rate: A College Degree

Kate Stephenson, a medtech veteran discusses the evolving landscape of medical device education, from college degrees to specialized certifications, and how to find the right fit for your career development.

Kate Stephenson, PhD

February 4, 2025

5 Min Read
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At a Glance

  • Stephenson is hosting a ShopTalk on Medical Device Manufacturing Education at MD&M West on Thursday, at 11 a.m.
  • It's important to view education as a product and consider the organization’s mission and the practical skills you'll gain.
  • From engineers to technicians, new programs are emerging to meet the demand for skilled workers in medtech.

What takes $200,000, at least four years to complete, and comes with a 10 to 40% chance of failure? No, it’s not the latest surgical robot startup—it’s a college degree.

As a parent of a child preparing to leave for college, I’m in the exciting but expensive phase of life where education costs are front and center. And, like many of my colleagues in similar situations, I’ve spent a lot of time pondering the return on investment. Having landed on my first college campus nearly 30 years ago, I now look at higher education through a dual lens: that of a parent and an educator. This perspective has helped me assess not only my family's financial investment but also the state of education in general.

The Medical Device Industry's Need for Specialized Training

In my role within the medical device industry, I frequently field questions from students, early professionals, and mid-career changers. They ask, “Where can I learn about ‘X’ in medical devices?” Often, they mention high-profile universities, professional certifications, or ads they’ve seen online.

Over the past few years, I’ve delved deeper into the options available for educating and training the medical device workforce. From MDs and PhDs to engineers, business professionals, and skilled technicians, our industry relies on a wide range of specialized personnel. While many professionals learn medical device skills on the job, this is becoming more difficult. Industry layoffs, the rise of the gig economy, and the ongoing cycles of offshoring and near-shoring are pushing job seekers to pursue specialized training before they can even get hired.

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The idea that you need a job to get a job has never been more true. However, other areas of training, like technician and assembler roles, have lagged behind. In 2012, the Consortium of Bioscience Credentials (C3BC) worked with manufacturers to develop a standardized skill set for entry-level workers in the medical device field. Meanwhile, newer programs, like the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, have taken a fresh approach by combining engineering and medical training. The first class of students from Carle Illinois entered medical residencies in 2022.

Exploring Educational Options in Medical Devices

The options for medical device-specific training are as diverse as the field itself, with programs evolving rapidly. Some areas, such as quality systems, biomedical engineering, and clinical trial management, offer a range of formal educational options with long histories. The Biomedical Engineering Society (founded in 1968) has been a leader in this space.

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Education as a Product

When discussing education options with prospective students, I encourage them to think of education as a product. Like any product, educational programs are tailored for specific markets, shaped by the mission of the institution offering them.

Some programs focus on mass markets, others on niche ones. Within the medical device sector, options range from top-tier universities to community colleges, trade schools, professional education programs, and even on-demand virtual courses. So, where do you start?

Evaluating Educational Providers

When “shopping” for education, one of the first things to consider is who’s producing the program and what that organization’s mission is. Many organizations teach similar skills, but they may have very different objectives.

Top-tier private research universities—think Stanford, Harvard, or Yale—are often not the best fit for industry-focused training. These universities prioritize research, and professors typically gain tenure based on their research rather than teaching. If you're not pursuing a research career in medical devices, these institutions may offer limited practical training. Even if your professor is a Nobel laureate, they may not know much about Quality Management Systems.

Related:How Pilot Line Is Filling the Gap in Medical Device Manufacturing

On the other hand, state universities and community colleges often focus on workforce development. They provide specialized programs tailored to local industry needs. For example, the University of Minnesota and University of California campuses both offer comprehensive medical device training programs. As the industry grows, so do these offerings—UC Davis is launching a Master’s in Medical Device Development in Fall 2025.

Nonprofits and professional organizations like the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS), and the Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) provide more specialized courses and certifications in medical devices. These programs often focus on specific work skills and are typically offered online at affordable prices.

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Education Beyond Knowledge Transfer

Education is more than just about transferring knowledge. In 1988, author Isaac Asimov argued that computers would allow anyone to learn on their own. By 2025, we live in an era with unprecedented access to information. Yet, as anyone who's started a New Year’s resolution only to see it fizzle out knows, access is not enough.

With so much information available, reputable educational organizations serve as curators. They help prioritize what’s most important to learn and provide the structure and motivation to keep learners on track. In-person programs also foster connections with peers, which can be critical for long-term career growth.

For employers, specific educational programs act as a trusted third-party evaluator of a candidate’s skills. While top universities may not focus on practical medical device training, their rigorous academic programs can signal strong general intelligence and drive. On the other hand, certifications like Six Sigma Blackbelt or Certified Quality Engineer act as shorthand for specialized expertise.

Closing Thoughts

Like any good investor, take the time to research educational programs and find the one that best aligns with your needs. The medical device industry is filled with sub-specialties, and the best programs may not always have large marketing budgets. Check medical device job boards to get a sense of what skills employers are seeking.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides valuable data on training, job demand, and compensation across various occupations, which can help gauge the longevity of your investment.

Stephenson is hosting a ShopTalk on Medical Device Manufacturing Education at MD&M West on Thursday, at 11 a.m. She will be at booth 4975 for an open discussion on current educational trends and what we need to work on for the future.

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