WESTBOROUGH – It may seem odd going from, say, graphic design or law to a career in medical technology, but for staff members at Olympus, the path from one career to another can be rewarding in many ways.
On Dec. 5, several staff members, led by Richard Reynolds, the president of the Medical Systems Group, talked about their career paths with students from Shrewsbury High School.
Reynolds said that when he was in high school, he was good at drawing. So he went into graphic design and became an art director at an advertising agency. Changes within the industry made his job “redundant,” he said. Reynolds began working at a medical company’s service center, went into sales and then into management.
“Be excellent at what you do, but be open minded,” Reynolds told the students.
Staffers told the students to learn from mentors and to network.
“I never say no to opportunities,” said Edwin Encarcion, a test engineering manager for the digital unit.
He started out in film and video production before finding his way into medical technology. He helps oversee the verification process for several products.
“Don’t be afraid to speak up,” said Victoria Breitenfeld, an associate product manager for surgical solutions.
She majored in marketing at UMass-Amherst before starting at Olympus as an intern.
“There are no dumb questions,” added Connor Tower, a global product manager-urology.
A graduate of Worcester Polytechnic Institute who majored in biomedical engineering, Tower helps drive new product development for the treatment of kidney stones.
“You don’t fail if you don’t quit,” said Stewart Wallace, a territory manager for endotherapy.
Interested in politics, law and history, Wallace majored in marketing at the University of Florida. In his job, he trains physicians and clinical teams in the use of the company’s equipment. He also advises physicians on the latest advancements in gastrointestinal technology.
The ability to be flexible, teachable and bring innovation and ideas is important no matter the chosen field, according to Reynolds and the Olympus staffers.
“There’s a lot of R&D (research and development) here. We need people to steer it and direct it,” said Reynolds.
The students had the opportunity to ask the staffers; they also toured the facility and tried out some of the equipment.
Olympus designs, manufactures and markets the latest in medical systems, including endoscopy, video microscopes, bronchoscopes and imaging platforms. The company trains physicians on how to use the equipment.
For information, visit www.olympusamerica.com.
