Chasing Dreams: How Lack of Color Vision Led to an Unexpected Career Path

An interviewer once asked why I pursued biomedical engineering after having electrical engineering studies, despite my color vision deficiency. Here is the story of how a simple interview question led to a life-changing decision.

Electrical Engineering to Biomedical Engineering

The interviewer asked, "Why did you study biomedical engineering after doing your studies in electrical engineering?—————————————————————————

The response was not as straightforward as it might seem. I responded, 'Imagine there is no power supply. Can the hospital run?'

The interviewer's follow-up question was, 'So, you learned biomedical engineering to run generators in hospitals.' I clarified, 'Have you ever seen an ECG? Those are electrical pulses, and the device which captures it is entirely electronic. Have you seen an X-ray machine in a hospital? Most of those machines need high voltage of a few KVs. Have you seen an Endoscopy room? It is filled with electrical and electronic instruments.'

I studied biomedical engineering because it applies the principles of electrical engineering to medical devices and healthcare systems. One of the most exciting things I learned was the use of high-frequency current to make precise cuts on the human body for operations!'

Transition to Technical Writing

After studying biomedical engineering, I wanted to work as a Technical Writer in a software product company. The interviewer asked, 'Why this change?'

I replied, 'I have a strong aptitude in engineering and math. I can understand complex things in a streamlined manner. My entire education was spent solving real-life problems by using mathematical models and simplification. Hence, I always believe in simplifying complex things, and that is the job of a Technical Writer.'

Challenges in Choosing College

Color vision or the lack of it played a significant role in my college journey. My first choice was the Naval Academy, but I couldn't tell what color the light was on the reactor, which is important to the Navy. My second choice, Rose-Hulman, required ROTC, and I couldn't distinguish enemy tracers from friendly tracers, which is important to the Army. My third choice was Purdue, but I missed the deadline for the Achievement Tests, so I ended up at Indiana Central College, now known as The University of Indianapolis.

When I applied to the German Education program, I was accepted and worked at a book warehouse over the summer to earn money for tuition. However, on registration day, the department head informed me that the German Education program had been dropped. With strong determination, I negotiated and ended up pursuing a German Education minor instead of a Chemistry Education major, due to my inability to reliably distinguish red lights from green ones.

Conclusion

While my journey was filled with challenges, my determination and creativity led me to a fulfilling career. The lack of color vision forced me to explore alternative paths and ultimately towards a career in technical writing. My story is a testament to how even unforeseen circumstances can lead to unexpected yet rewarding career choices.