# Neil Thompson | Cadaver Bone Implants & How To Get Promoted As An Engineer

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2022-02-11
- Length: 42m
- Episode: 6
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-02-11-neil-thompson-cadaver-bone-implants-how-to-get-promoted-as-an-engineer
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/Neil-thompson-get-promoted/

## Summary

Neil Thompson, founder of Teach the Geek and author of 'Ask Uncle Neil,' discusses his career path from medical device engineering to professional speaking and patent law. He details his work on cadaver bone spinal implants at startups like Advanced Biologics and Dusty Brilliant, explaining the materials and regulatory challenges involved. Thompson emphasizes that engineers must develop soft skills, particularly public speaking and self-advocacy, to secure promotions and avoid being overlooked, sharing strategies like Toastmasters and active meeting participation.

## Chapters

- [0:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-02-11-neil-thompson-cadaver-bone-implants-how-to-get-promoted-as-an-engineer#t=51) Introduction: Neil Thompson and Career Origins
- [5:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-02-11-neil-thompson-cadaver-bone-implants-how-to-get-promoted-as-an-engineer#t=303) Medical Device Engineering: Cadaver Bone Implants
- [8:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-02-11-neil-thompson-cadaver-bone-implants-how-to-get-promoted-as-an-engineer#t=499) Startup Life at Advanced Biologics and Dusty Brilliant
- [13:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-02-11-neil-thompson-cadaver-bone-implants-how-to-get-promoted-as-an-engineer#t=815) Writing 'Ask Uncle Neil' and Patent Agent Work
- [20:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-02-11-neil-thompson-cadaver-bone-implants-how-to-get-promoted-as-an-engineer#t=1225) Strategies for Getting Promoted and Paid More
- [29:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-02-11-neil-thompson-cadaver-bone-implants-how-to-get-promoted-as-an-engineer#t=1740) Improving Public Speaking: Toastmasters and Practice
- [34:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-02-11-neil-thompson-cadaver-bone-implants-how-to-get-promoted-as-an-engineer#t=2060) Communication Techniques and Soft Skills Importance

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Advanced Biologics (company)
- Dusty Brilliant (company)
- Teach the Geek (company)
- Ask Uncle Neil (product)
- Toastmasters (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [009 - “Cutting Through the Noise” with Charles Ventura](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-12-01-009-cutting-through-the-noise-with-charles-ventura) (Let's Combinate)
- [#349: Climbing the MedTech Career Ladder - How to Get to the Top](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2023-12-21-349-climbing-the-medtech-career-ladder-how-to-get-to-the-top) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [#381: MedTech Advice from an Accidental Entrepreneur](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2024-09-05-381-medtech-advice-from-an-accidental-entrepreneur) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [122: Glue a Board to Your Resume](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-21-122-glue-a-board-to-your-resume) (Embedded.fm)
- [Why We’re Proud to Be Manufacturers & Engineers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-08-03-why-were-proud-to-be-manufacturers-engineers) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-02-11-neil-thompson-cadaver-bone-implants-how-to-get-promoted-as-an-engineer. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Being an Engineer.