"It's true that the way life worked out, I never got a chance to go back to graduate school. But in place of that, I have spent the last ten years learning things that are not taught in schools anyway - like when to abandon a fruitless line of experimentation; when to push your boss hard for what you believe in; how to accept criticism and let it make the final product better - and a whole lot of technical details of my projects that are confidential.

At the same time, you bring up a critical point. It is vital to keep refreshing your skills after you leave school. I am a member of ASM. I attend my local chapter's meetings, giving me a chance to talk to other metallurgists regularly. Of course, with ASM membership, I have access to their publications, and I do leaf through them every month. Sometimes I get ideas, and I can use ASM's digital library as a jumping off point. I took their short course on failure analysis two years ago. Aside from ASM, my current company has offered the chance to take some short courses - on welding techniques, for example - that are relevant to our sector. I have also studied problem-solving approaches like Shainin Red X and Green Y. Those are just a few examples. I take continuing education seriously. I want to take advantage of all the research being done out there to help with my own work."