Is becoming a materials scientist right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
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How to become a Materials Scientist
A love of science, particularly biology, chemistry, engineering, or any other related field would be a good place to start for someone pursuing a career in materials science. Being able to read and correctly comprehend reports and data from related personnel while effectively being able to communicate information and ideas orally and in writing to scientists, lab personnel, company supervisors, and clients is a necessary trait for a materials scientist.
These scientists must be able to think creatively and unusually while using mathematical formulas and other methods to solve problems. Not every solution is immediately apparent, so creative and unusual thinking is critical if some problems are to be resolved. The application of general rules to certain problems in order to derive needed answers is also of great importance. This kind of scientist must be able to see details in an object or material at close range to determine the right and most effective course of action in conducting an experiment, or to best analyze the results of one. Having the ability to see potential problems before they occur is an essential asset to a materials scientist, as it allows them to maximize experimentation results while minimizing time loss.
A PhD is often required in order to gain a position as a materials science researcher; however, some companies will hire people with a master’s degree with adequate job and research experience. Some companies will hire a person with a bachelor’s degree in materials science or chemical engineering as a laboratory assistant in order to assist those with more education, experience, or both. Electrical, magnetic, and optical materials, polymeric materials, and advanced physical metallurgy, are just some of the courses needed for a materials science degree.