I manage a Sour Service testing laboratory in Manchester, for a consultancy that primarily consults on materials (read corrosion) issues for Oil & Gas industry. I have a MEng Materials Science degree.
All of the above is super advice.
Some awareness of the existence of industry standards such as ISO15156, NACE TM0284/TM0177 might be useful but I would not expect any graduate to know any of the detail within, how they’re applied, etc.
Materials selection and corrosion testing is quite niche, even within the industry. I spend much time speaking with people who know they want some sort of test doing to qualify their material but nothing about what that testing actually is, how it is done, etc.
jonba’s general interview advice is top.
They know you’re qualified on paper so want to see who you are, how you carry yourself, and so on. Whether you are someone they could work with.
As far as my current role goes it is now management, albeit with a large portion of project work at the moment due to business needs, so not that applicable.
Previously when I was exclusively managing testing projects there was a lot of wearing routine. Most of the interest was in managing resourcing, liaising with clients, etc. The juggling, as it were. The consultancy side of the business always seemed more interesting to me, less routine and more engaging. Try to get some sort of rotation in your role, as grad schemes often have, so you can find out about yourself what you actually like to do.
Be prepared to work hard to understand what you’re doing and what you need to do.
Feel free to send me a PM if you wish.
