For Shawn Wei, hospitals were a familiar part of childhood. At just 9 years old, he regularly accompanied his family to Kaiser Oakland Medical Center in California while his father underwent treatment for throat cancer.
Spending long periods in hospital waiting areas and corridors sparked Wei's interest in the medical equipment surrounding him. Years later, that early curiosity has developed into an ambition to build technology that can improve healthcare.
A recent graduate of Berkeley High School in California, Wei will begin studying mechanical engineering at the University of Southern California this fall after receiving a Medtronic Spark Scholarship. His journey to college has been shaped not only by his interest in engineering but also by difficult family circumstances and experiences that strengthened his commitment to helping others.
Learning Responsibility Through Adversity
Wei's family faced significant challenges from an early age. When he was about 8, a roofing accident caused an apartment fire that left the family without a home. They moved through several temporary living arrangements before eventually settling into their current residence.
Approximately a year later, his father was diagnosed with cancer.
As his father underwent treatment, Wei's mother spent much of her time at the hospital. At home, Wei took on additional responsibilities, including looking after his younger sister.
“It was a really maturing experience for me,” he said. “It made me, for the first time, focus on someone who just wasn’t me. It’s led to a lot of my passion and purpose for caring for others and being there when they don’t have someone else.”
While their new home was under construction, the family lived with very few basic amenities. They had no electricity, gas or furniture and slept in sleeping bags inside the only room that was fully enclosed.
Wei's father died the following year, when Wei was 10. He remembers him as an outgoing and inquisitive person who enjoyed learning and exploring new ideas.
Combining Engineering With a Desire to Help
The exposure to hospitals during his childhood continued to influence Wei as he grew older. In high school, he explored both technology and science by joining the robotics team and studying Advanced Placement Biology.
His interest in helping people also extended beyond school. Through a community organization near the Berkeley Marina, Wei learned to repair bicycles and helped refurbish bikes for people who needed transportation.
He also worked as a lifeguard, where he encountered situations that required him to respond quickly. During one summer, he assisted a distressed child in a swimming pool and helped respond when a swimmer suffered a heart attack in a locker room.
By his junior year, Wei had developed a clearer idea of the type of career he wanted.
“I knew I wanted to do something engineering-related, but I also wanted it to have a purpose,” he said.
Healthcare technology emerged as a natural combination of his interests in engineering, science and service.
Scholarship Opens the Door to USC
Although Wei received college acceptances, paying for a four-year university remained a significant concern. He had initially planned to begin at a community college and transfer to a university later as a way of managing the cost of higher education.
That plan changed when he learned that he had been awarded a Medtronic Spark Scholarship. The financial support allowed him to enroll at USC immediately rather than beginning at community college.
“I was ecstatic,” Wei recalled. “My mom was pretty proud.”
The scholarship provides more than financial assistance. Recipients also gain access to mentoring, career support, professional development and opportunities to build relationships with people working in the industry.
“What’s really valuable to me is the network-building opportunities this scholarship offers,” Wei said. “Relationships are something that you can’t put a price tag on.”
Looking Toward a Career in Healthcare Innovation
As he prepares to begin university, Wei is looking forward to meeting people with different backgrounds and experiences while exploring new areas of engineering.
His long-term goal is to work in healthcare technology, particularly in product design and development. His personal experiences have also influenced the areas of healthcare that interest him most.
“Probably the most personally motivating thing for me would be work related to cancer research or treatment improvements,” he said.
Reflecting on the challenges he experienced growing up, Wei believes they helped shape his approach to supporting others.
“Those experiences have matured me and prepared me to step in when necessary and be there for people who need help,” he said. “That’s something I’m proud of.”
Expanding Opportunities Through Medtronic Spark
The next round of Medtronic Spark Scholarship applications is scheduled to open on October 26. The program aims to support students pursuing their educational and professional ambitions while connecting them with mentors and opportunities within the healthcare technology field.
For students following paths similar to Wei's, the scholarship can provide both financial support and access to professional relationships that can help shape their future careers.
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