Dara Nourbakhsh (’23)

Medical Device Technician

IQVIA

About Dara

Dara Nourbakhsh (’23) graduated with an M.S. in Biotechnology on the BioBusiness Track. While in the program, he completed his capstone internship at the Medical Device Innovation Consortium on the Early Feasibility Studies team, where he learned about barriers involved in medical device approval. After graduating, Dara went on to work in property management as a site management assistant, where he honed business and interpersonal skills that would transfer to a career in pharmaceuticals.

Dara is now a medical device technician at the health IT company IQVIA, where he assists field service technicians in unboxing, diagnostic testing, and updating 500-2,000 medical devices per site (e.g. PCUs, pumps, and syringes). His work ensures seamless installation of devices in hospital facilities, as well as safe and effective patient treatment. In the future, Dara hopes to pursue his MBA and go into dental school.

Why did you choose the Georgetown M.S. in Biotechnology program?

During my undergraduate education, I took on the pre-health track at Tulane University while pursuing a double major in Psychology and Jewish Studies. I knew my options after completing undergrad were limited and only included attending medical or dental school, but I realized that I wanted to gain a better understanding of other career paths available. I realized that pursuing a master’s degree was the only viable choice to break into the biopharmaceutical industry in order to build a network for my professional career. Ultimately, I wanted to find a career that merged my passions in both business and science, so I found the Biotechnology program at Georgetown University to be the best option for my own personal trajectory.

What strategies did you use to build your network and find job opportunities?

To build a network, I would advise individuals to reach out to recruiters who are hiring for positions that students want to pursue. It really sends a positive image and goes a long way because it further demonstrates your desire to take on a position. I would also maintain a consistent relationship over time with these recruiters you speak to, as they might be hiring for more roles in the future that align with your career goals.

If one position you applied for ends up getting taken by another person, I would demonstrate your desire and interest align with roles the recruiter is hiring for more positions in the future. If you also see a role that a recruiter is not hiring for in their company, I would inquire who the hiring manager is if you have established a good relationship with the recruiter. I would also use the “actively hiring” feature to find recruiters on LinkedIn for any company and see what positions they are hiring for, specifically in case they are hiring for a role you applied for and want to pursue.

What advice would you give to current or prospective students looking to get into your line of work?

My biggest piece of advice for prospective students is to really understand why you are pursuing an advanced degree program and how it will serve your professional trajectory and life. I think it is important to employ a holistic mindset when understanding the entirety of a program and all the factors about it. Graduate school is about the experiential and industry aspects of the education you are receiving, so it is important to recognize that when going through a particular program. Reach out to and talk to current students and recent alumni in the program of interest on LinkedIn, because you get a firsthand perspective of what the program is actually like on a daily basis. I would also talk to alumni that are pursuing opportunities that match your long-term career goals and current professors, and convey interests in unpaid internships in their fields of work.