Check MatE: Making Your Career Moves Matter

Just as with chess, 99% of professional success may be due to hard work & tactics – but a solid strategy is key to enable opportunities to demonstrate tactical excellence. Moves you make as an early-career materials professional impact potential career opportunities that may open later during mid-career, including technical leadership, management, and strategy-related professional roles. There are many moves to consider, regardless of career track: new jobs within an organization/company, changing employers, or shifting to a different industry. The transition from a technical career path to the management track is an option, as well as other non-technical career moves including roles related to intellectual property, competitive analysis, R&D strategy, business development, and external research engagement. As a technical professional, expanding your scope or transitioning to a new area of technical expertise may be required as materials innovations continue to evolve. Additional education and training may be part of your career strategy. Timing for job changes is also a strategic consideration for materials professionals on both technical and non-technical career trajectories – and you may be required to rapidly adjust your career strategy to account for unplanned changes in the economy or personal situations. Networking, mentoring, and involvement in materials professional societies like ASM will enable you to take active ownership of your career strategy.