Learn how to enhance your skills and career in materials science by following these six tips on learning, research, tools, communities, feedback, and updates.

It can sound controversial, but changing roles is often quite beneficial when you are in an industry and trying to develop your career. If you stay in one company without any promotions for a year it's quite likely that you are not going to gain any new skills and or experience. So, with that, switch fields and do it often, which can greatly help you in developing your skill set.

Keep learning and be open to new areas of research in MSE. Just because you have an advanced degree in one area, does not mean you are restricted to that specialized area of research. Take help from both internal and external experts in the new area. In some organizations, it is almost imperative that you branch out of your own niche area and do something very different over the years. Try out a side project in a new area, collaborate with new colleagues or work with a new division ! Expand outside your own comfort zone , and challenge yourself intellectually. Imagine going to the library and trying out a brand new genre of books that you have never tried before. You might be pleasantly surprised at what you might like!

One thing I found helpful was attending short courses. These contribute towards your CPD (continued professional development), thereby allowing you to progress into Chartered Engineer or Scientist status. This further shows your colleagues in industry that you’re an experienced and knowledgeable Materials Scientist/Engineer.

How can you advance your materials science skills through career development?

Materials science is a multidisciplinary field that explores the properties, processing, and applications of various materials, such as metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and nanomaterials. It combines knowledge from physics, chemistry, engineering, and biology to design and develop new materials for various industries and sectors. If you are a materials scientist or aspire to be one, you might wonder how you can advance your skills and career in this dynamic and diverse field. In this article, we will share some tips and strategies on how you can enhance your materials science skills through career development.

1 Learn from experts

One of the best ways to improve your materials science skills is to learn from experts who have extensive experience and knowledge in the field. You can do this by attending workshops, webinars, courses, or conferences that cover topics related to materials science. You can also join professional associations, such as the Materials Research Society (MRS) or the American Society for Materials (ASM), that offer networking opportunities, publications, and resources for materials scientists. By learning from experts, you can gain insights, feedback, and guidance on your current projects and challenges, as well as discover new trends and innovations in materials science.

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Dipankar Ghosh

Innovator,Team Leader and Materials Scientist at 3M. Creating solutions for the Energy and Electronics Market.
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Keep learning and be open to new areas of research in MSE. Just because you have an advanced degree in one area, does not mean you are restricted to that specialized area of research. Take help from both internal and external experts in the new area. In some organizations, it is almost imperative that you branch out of your own niche area and do something very different over the years. Try out a side project in a new area, collaborate with new colleagues or work with a new division ! Expand outside your own comfort zone , and challenge yourself intellectually. Imagine going to the library and trying out a brand new genre of books that you have never tried before. You might be pleasantly surprised at what you might like!

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Manjodh Kaur PhD

Technical Content Writer for Clean Energy Technologies | Analytical Research Scientist | Ex- IIT Ropar
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In my experience learning from experts is fun and fulfilling. It also makes the learning curve exponential rather than linear. Talking to the experts about their niche skills and how they developed those skills will help define a clear path for learning a new skill. An expert can direct your attention to the core areas of learning/reading that will save time and long hours searching for the right information. Going to conferences and attending webinars gives an overview of that field and the resources shared can be a great starting point for learning.

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Chris Webster

Senior Product Development Chemist/Scientist
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The best way to advance your skills is to follow ideas you think are correct, even if you have to ignore the experienced players. Frequently the people in charge are too hardened to new ideas because it's similar to something that didn't work for them. But every project is a new set of variables. Don't be afraid to give your ideas that chance.

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2 Participate in research

Another way to advance your materials science skills is to participate in research projects that allow you to apply your theoretical knowledge to practical problems. You can do this by collaborating with other researchers, either within your organization or outside of it, who are working on similar or complementary topics. You can also look for funding opportunities, such as grants, fellowships, or scholarships, that support materials science research. By participating in research, you can develop your analytical, critical, and creative thinking skills, as well as contribute to the advancement of materials science knowledge and applications.

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3 Use online tools

A third way to enhance your materials science skills is to use online tools that can help you access, analyze, and visualize data and information related to materials science. For example, you can use databases, such as the Materials Project or the NIST Materials Data Repository, that provide comprehensive and curated data on various materials and their properties. You can also use software, such as MATLAB or Python, that can help you perform calculations, simulations, and modeling of materials and their behavior. By using online tools, you can improve your computational and digital skills, as well as expand your understanding of materials science concepts and phenomena.

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4 Engage in communities

A fourth way to improve your materials science skills is to engage in communities that share your interest and passion for materials science. You can do this by joining online platforms, such as Reddit, Quora, or Stack Exchange, that allow you to ask and answer questions, discuss ideas, and exchange opinions on materials science topics. You can also join social media groups, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook, that connect you with other materials scientists, professionals, and enthusiasts. By engaging in communities, you can build your network, reputation, and confidence, as well as learn from diverse perspectives and experiences in materials science.

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5 Seek feedback

A fifth way to advance your materials science skills is to seek feedback from others who can evaluate your performance and progress in materials science. You can do this by asking for feedback from your mentors, supervisors, colleagues, or peers, who can provide you with constructive and honest comments, suggestions, and recommendations on your work and skills. You can also seek feedback from your clients, customers, or users, who can provide you with valuable and relevant information on your products and services. By seeking feedback, you can identify your strengths and weaknesses, set your goals and priorities, and plan your actions and improvements in materials science.

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6 Keep learning

A sixth and final way to enhance your materials science skills is to keep learning and updating yourself on the latest developments and discoveries in materials science. You can do this by reading books, journals, magazines, blogs, or newsletters that cover materials science topics. You can also watch videos, podcasts, documentaries, or webinars that feature materials science experts and stories. By keeping learning, you can stay curious, motivated, and informed, as well as broaden your horizons and opportunities in materials science.

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Victor Manisa, EngD

Lecturer || Researcher || Ceramics, Nanomaterials and Metallurgical Engineering
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One thing I found helpful was attending short courses. These contribute towards your CPD (continued professional development), thereby allowing you to progress into Chartered Engineer or Scientist status. This further shows your colleagues in industry that you’re an experienced and knowledgeable Materials Scientist/Engineer.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Tetiana Parker

PhD Candidate at Drexel Nanomaterials Institute
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It can sound controversial, but changing roles is often quite beneficial when you are in an industry and trying to develop your career. If you stay in one company without any promotions for a year it's quite likely that you are not going to gain any new skills and or experience. So, with that, switch fields and do it often, which can greatly help you in developing your skill set.

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How can you advance your materials science skills through career development?

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1 Learn from experts

2 Participate in research

3 Use online tools

4 Engage in communities

5 Seek feedback

6 Keep learning

7 Here’s what else to consider

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