u/sadeem94

Hey everyone,

I’m currently working in-house at a hospital and am about to graduate from school. I’m looking to plan my next career move and want to jump out into the field as an OEM Field Service Engineer (FSE).

Right now, I'm torn between trying to break into Imaging or going the Dräger route (Anesthesia/Ventilators). I’m trying to weigh the differences between these two paths before I start firing off applications.

For those of you who have worked or are currently working in these specialties, I’d love to get your insight on a few things:

• The Lifestyle/Day-to-Day: How is the day-to-day balance being out in the field for each? I know Dräger FSEs can travel heavily and often do PMs in the evenings/weekends when ORs are clear. Does Imaging have a similar grind, or is it more heavily tied to unpredictable emergency on-call?
• Pay & Compensation: What does the compensation curve look like for an entry-level FSE in both tracks? Does Imaging still hold the crown for peak salary, or does specializing in Dräger anesthesia/respiratory gear match it once you factor in overtime?
• Future Marketability: I’m currently looking at picking up some networking certifications to build an IT foundation, and I'm looking into taking RSTI courses for imaging. If I go the Dräger route, does having a solid networking background help much, or is that strictly an Imaging advantage?

Would love to hear any pros, cons, or general advice you have for someone making this transition out of school.

Thanks