1. Be a team player.
That age-old phrase of “there’s no ‘I’ in team” still stands. Being a team player is important in any career, but especially in a field as niche as the medtech industry.
“The medical device industry is relatively small. People change companies or organizations, career paths and all of that network really comes back, and you’re remembered for that team behavior,” said Messa.
Job searching website Monster.com offers tips to being a good team player: meet deadlines, be candid, adapt quickly, appreciate others’ work styles and avoid politics. A 2012 Forbes article also suggests that being a team player means ensuring everyone participates.
“Nobody can do this by themselves,” said Howell. “My goal is always to take other women with me and make them just as successful – and men as well.”
“I think it’s important for everybody, men and women, to have that sense of where they want to be and how they can contribute across their career,” said Messa.