I don't know if I can agree with the assertion that metallurgy is not a financially rewarding or secure career path. Anecdote that it may be, I myself am doing just fine, and I'm sure that many on this forum could say the same.
Call me a contrarian but I think many people in the engineering/technology side of things have a bias towards futurism, "disrupting the status quo", etc. because they sound sexy and avant-garde, and it's all very grandiose but in reality, there's a lot of "nuts and bolts" work out there that keeps society running - machines need to be built and repaired, people need to put gas in their cars, people expect the lights to turn on when they flip a switch, etc., and all that relies on thousands of engineers going to work everyday to do work that is not necessarily cutting-edge or on the cover of any magazine. Metallurgists work for pipeline companies, oil refineries, mines, forge shops, consumer goods manufacturers, government agencies, you name it, and demand for the products of those industries isn't going away anytime soon. The nature of the economy will evolve of course but that just means that people will transition from one field to another; maybe instead of working for oil refineries, more people will work for battery companies if/when EV's really take off, or maybe the people working at forge/casting houses will go to work for 3D printing shops. But they'll still remain employed as metallurgists. I think, more than anything, this boils down to the flexibility and resiliency of the individual and their character - anyone with a solid baseline knowledge of the subject matter and an open mind can adapt to the market changing over time, which is a very normal phenomenon.
If anything, I think the misconception that metallurgy and related fields (for example, NDE) are dying is good for the people who choose to stick it out because it's a simple supply and demand equation - if we suppose (as I argue above) that there will always be demand for this skill in the marketplace, and supply of people who have this skill is decreasing, then the value of the labor of those who do have it will increase, and with it our compensation. For example, I know people in the NDE industry who will tell you that the average age of a level 3 right now is mid 50's, and guess what - in 10 or 15 years when they retire, you're still going to have just as many bridges, pipelines, forgings, etc. out there needing inspection, which means the people left with that certification will basically be naming their price. This phenomenon isn't unique to metallurgy either - despite historical stereotypes about it being second class work compared to white collar occupations (which I would argue are ridiculous), skilled tradesmen like plumbers and electricians are making a killing right now because fewer people are going into those jobs but there is always steady demand for those services. Even in 100 years when we're all living in the metaverse or whatever, homes are still going to have pipes and wires in the walls that need installation and servicing by a licensed and competent plumber or electrician. Demand for many of these skills simply isn't going away.
So going back to your original question - I think the best skills to have in 40 years are the ones that most people assume will be obsolete in 40 years because they very likely won't be, and you can profit greatly from that miscalculation.
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Sean Piper
Product / Process Metallurgist
Ellwood Texas Forge Houston
Houston TX
(713) 434-5138
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-16-2022 22:23
From: Sreekar Parimi
Subject: Future of materials engineering
Hi everyone,
I recently asked few senior material engineers about their opinion on future of metallurgy and material science engineers.
The response was pretty similiar....
- Metallurgy is not a financially rewarding or secure career path anymore. Material science with particular emphasis on semiconductor applications is the only promising (or secure) long term avenue. Aerospace is saturated, 3D printing and nanotechnology are hyped and may be in infancy for indefinite period.
Personally, I am optimistic about medical device and renewables industry growth and corresponding demand of materials and metals (if not ferrous metallurgy, which might not have much change).
However, in order to get a larger sample of perspectives.....I want to ask the same to ASM community of experts.
a) What does future look like for aspiring material specialists...Do we know of any industry reports on this.
b) What particular skills are most important to acquire/hone in order to stay relevant over next 40 years....
Looking forward to hearing from you all.....
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Sreekar Parimi
Senior Engineer
Schlumberger
pearland TX
9795713723
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