Shane O'Connor, Manufacturing Engineer, Boston Scientific

What are the main things you do each week?

Boston Scientific’s main role is making devices that will help people get over diseases or any issues they might suffer. My main responsibility is to solve problems that arise, such as machines breaking down, or redesigning a piece of equipment to make it more efficient.

What skills do you need to be successful?

The most important is your ability to communicate, be it through word of mouth or presentations. As an engineer you interact with many different functions so it’s a great trait to be able to communicate. Technically, you need to be able to think fast on your feet and analyse data correctly to make decisions.

Do you have any advice for students?

Get used to talking to people in a way that non-engineers will understand. Engineers have their own dialect but that doesn’t mean the person next to you will understand it. Be able to break down what you’re trying to say into everyday language.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned since you started?

Keep an open mind to all problems and assume very little. Listen to the data and act upon it.

What’s the best thing about your job?

I’ve always liked helping people and the reason I applied to Boston Scientific is the way they touch so many lives with their various products.