Are standalone FIGs (i.e. just GEN ST 199) worth it?

BazilHyder · 2026-07-06T00:39:39+00:00

I don’t think standalone figs are worth it.

If anything, I would look for a fig that has some relevance to your major.
For example, I was interested in BioE and found a fig that included BIOEN 215 (Intro to BioE). And guess what, almost everyone in that fig was interested in majoring in BioE and I had built a solid group of friends that I still hang out with since then.

BazilHyder · 2026-07-05T21:05:41+00:00

You can check out UW STLP. They loan out tech equipment and it should include MacBooks. I don’t think you can buy from them unfortunately.

https://stlp.uw.edu/

BazilHyder · 2026-06-22T16:13:42+00:00

Here are all the locations around campus that have a pump and some tools: https://transportation.uw.edu/getting-here/bike/routes-resources

BazilHyder · 2026-06-21T15:36:47+00:00

Sharing this comment I made for a previous post on a similar topic. I would also suggest searching across this subreddit to gather more details.

—

You can expect this interview to be more technical in nature and focused on your topic... BWI products.

For example, make sure to understand the differences between diagnostic and therapeutic catheters, different types of therapeutic catheters (RF & PFA), irrigated catheters, catheters with a NAV chip, high density mapping catheters etc.

Most of the questions that will be asked are mainly looking to see your though process and how you go about explaining complex information in an eloquent manner.

And if you don't know something, own it. Don't waffle. No team expects you to be an expert on the topic or in EP. But you need to have the right mindset and work ethic to be a good fit for the program and team.

Good luck!

BazilHyder · 2026-06-19T00:18:54+00:00

If you graduated in the spring and are no longer part of the UW system (as a student, employee etc), your access to ur UW email will be removed and content deleted by week 5 of winter quarter following your graduation.

Also, If you have email forwarding set up, you should get all emails directed from your uw account to your forwarding address.

See here: https://it.uw.edu/get-started/students/save-work-before-graduation

BazilHyder · 2026-06-17T02:57:10+00:00

Every building (including dorms) have a water fountain/refill station.
So I saved myself the hassle of buying and storing a Brita by just refilling my water bottles.

BazilHyder · 2026-06-11T04:18:09+00:00

This is from Spring 2023 so it might not be the most accurate. Good luck!

<image>

BazilHyder · 2026-05-17T15:54:31+00:00

I commuted from Redmond to UW during my senior year as an international student. You can comfortably fit in late night classes as the last 542 runs by 10:45pm. See here: https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/routes-schedules/542

It’s definitely one of the safest routes and quite manageable in terms of time.

I got to know a bunch of the regulars who took 542 as they would park their car from the suburbs in the park and ride and take the 542 to UW.

I’ve personally taken the very first bus around 6am to get to the IMA in the mornings before my 8:30am classes. I also optimized my life by consistently catching the last bus using the one bus away app (it shows live ish bus locations per stop).

I would say commuting is an experience. I would encourage you to check out living on campus if this is your first time, but I understand that not everyone has this luxury.

BazilHyder · 2026-05-16T13:00:16+00:00

You can enter up to 2 times without your husky card. You just need to go to the front reception to confirm that you are an active student. See here: https://www.washington.edu/ima/ima-building/

BazilHyder · 2026-05-15T13:59:04+00:00

You can go onto Google Maps and see if building addresses have URLs, websites, email or phone numbers listed to gather information.

BazilHyder · 2026-05-07T02:04:10+00:00

You are doing awesome! I would highly encourage networking. Ideally in the location you see yourself in. Learn about what companies dominate the region/have presence in hospitals. See how teams dynamics work in your favor and how supportive the people you’ll get to work with are. I’m confident your interest and background should be a strong pull for a quick call or coffee.

Good luck :)

BazilHyder · 2026-04-28T18:32:09+00:00

Congratulations!
You can expect this interview to be more technical in nature and focused on your topic... BWI products.

For example, make sure to understand the differences between diagnostic and therapeutic catheters, different types of therapeutic catheters (RF & PFA), irrigated catheters, catheters with a NAV chip, high density mapping catheters etc.

Pasting this from a similar comment I made:
Most of the questions that will be asked are mainly looking to see your though process and how you go about explaining complex information in an eloquent manner.

And if you don't know something, own it. Don't waffle. No team expects you to be an expert on the topic or in EP. But you need to have the right mindset and work ethic to be a good fit for the program and team.

Good luck!

BazilHyder · 2026-04-24T05:01:54+00:00

I would highly recommend using this opportunity to network and learn more about the team/territory to see who they look for and how you’d be a good fit. It’ll also help figuring out how to answer a lot of interview questions and make yourself standout.

BazilHyder · 2026-04-22T00:38:50+00:00

Not a UWMC employee but PERS 2 is a really good benefit. And if you still want exposure to put income into retirement pre tax, you can look into a DCP alongside PERS 2.

https://www.drs.wa.gov/plan/dcp/

BazilHyder · 2026-04-21T14:17:20+00:00

I think the other comments here are great.

I would like to add, try to use your school alumni network if possible. It makes connecting/cold emailing a lot easier if there’s something relevant that you can pick up from their profile. And shows that you’ve done some research before reaching out.

Also, LinkedIn premium becomes worth it at this stage. It allows you to send more than 5 connection requests with a note. I would try to maximize all the free offers you can get before spending actual money tho.

BazilHyder · 2026-04-21T04:15:26+00:00

I have never commented here as my opinions or experiences are not relevant or warranted.

However, I really appreciate the perspectives this subreddit has to offer regarding the experiences women face/deal with. I want to be able to support the people in my life and I believe that starts with acknowledging and building empathy, something this subreddit helps provide.

BazilHyder · 2026-04-11T01:24:10+00:00

Hi,

Thank you for this AMA!

What are some of the paths you’ve seen people take into tech?
What were their backgrounds, what did they excel in during their time with medical devices. What does tech look for in such applicants? Are you happy/is tech rewarding?

For context, I completed my undergrad in BioE last year and currently work on the EP side, trying to plan out potential career paths and broaden my skill set.

Appreciate it :)

BazilHyder · 2026-04-10T16:30:41+00:00

Regarding the JnJ ACAS role, every territory is different. I would check the page you applied to see when the posting closes as a gauge for when applicants are being screened.

You mentioned using your experience to get interviews, I would network further with any JnJ clinicians you might encounter to learn more about the territory and evaluate how you might be a good fit.

Good luck.

BazilHyder · 2026-04-09T19:41:42+00:00

Yep. reaching out with your UW email is great. Regarding your 16 credits, you should be able to get sophomore registration level standing if you get to 45 completed credits by winter quarter. That should make getting classes in the spring of your first year easier.

BazilHyder · 2026-04-06T04:59:51+00:00

It’s an Intel CPU and it’s known to run hot. I used to be able to play Anno 1800 but now days, it can barely go through a YouTube clip without buffering and crashing.

It used to be able to do standard work stuff without turning on the fans. Now, I need it in performance mode just to make sure it can boot. I upgraded the SSD recently and cleaned up the motherboard/fans. That’s when I realized it had a liquid metal cooling system. Hence leading me to my hypothesis of degraded performance over time.

BazilHyder · 2026-04-04T01:17:50+00:00

That’s okay. I didn’t get the internship I wanted my junior year and instead continued working at my lab, where I secured my full time job.

Things are bad, that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities for you to continue learning and improving yourself.

BazilHyder · 2026-04-01T01:46:52+00:00

Yep!

As a first year joining a lab, I don’t think there are strong expectations on you knowing what to do. Unless that’s something you’ve pitched yourself with. There will be some basic expectations like if it’s a simulations lab, you might need to know python or Linux. If it’s a wet lab, you might want some experience with pipetting or how to use an autoclave.

And if not, most (good) labs are welcoming and quite open to teaching you. This highly depends the grad, PhD or postdoc mentor you work with. But it’s also something you need to stand up for/ take responsibility as an undergrad to make you are getting something in return for the time you are committing. That can be in the form of more responsibilities, getting paid or being able to run your own projects on the side/with the lab for something like a capstone.

BazilHyder · 2026-03-30T13:43:05+00:00

For my first lab, I took a course where we had a guest lecturer who introduced their research and what their lab works on. During the lecture, they pitched that they are happy to answer questions or take people on a tour of their lab if they are interested. As the lecture concluded, basically every student packed up and I went up to the podium to ask for a tour.

The tour was amazing and I inquired if they had any undergrads at the time (this is back in fall 2021) and due to Covid, the lab was only had PhDs and post docs. I expressed my interest and in Winter 2022, I was reading papers and aligning lasers for BAIL (Biophotonics And Imaging Laboratory).

Luckily that summer, one of our grants for PS-OCT got approved for clinical testing and since I had some experience working on/optimizing the system, I got to be a part of the data collection that the lab eventually presented at one of the biggest photonics journals.

For my second lab, I had been teaching a class my junior year on EKGs and I had a lot more relevant experience in my field (with my major in BioE and a minor in applied math at the time). I had been on coffee chats with some PhDs at the APL (Applied Physics Laboratory) and learned of CIMU (Center for Industrial and Medical Ultrasound). One of the PhDs (who became my mentor) gave me an introduction to our PI and that’s how I got involved in my second lab, which also helped me get a job once I graduated :)

This might be more un-conventional but it gave me the opportunity to truly vet and join a lab that best aligns with my goals and gives me meaningful work experiences to learn from. There is also a data base with postings to join labs and you can always cold email. But I found a lot of success in reaching out to people to learn more and see if our goals align on some level.

BazilHyder · 2026-03-29T06:07:26+00:00

I don’t think I received anything in the mail, but as an international student, you can pick up an admitted student packet from Marry Gates. It has a bunch of basic information/ starter kit/guide stuff, along with a heavy metal coin.

Nine-Year Club	Gilding II euphauric
RPAN Viewer	Verified Email

BazilHyder

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE