11 Questions in 11 Minutes
We’ve introduced a few corrosion specialists via our blog in recent months. In this article, we’re talking to one of the leading lights in Young ICorr – Ben Lee.
Here are the 11 questions we posed in the 11 minutes we took of Ben’s valuable time.
1. Can you tell us a little about yourself, your background, and what made you enter the corrosion industry?
In the years after leaving school, I worked several jobs in banking and retail. In my late 20s, I decided that I needed to build a career in an industry that I might actually enjoy. So, I started to apply for apprenticeships. I was 29 years old (a late developer!).
I was successful in getting into SGN (previously Southern Gas Networks) as a Pipelines Apprentice, helping to look after and maintain the High-Pressure Transmission Network.
2. What are some of the most significant challenges you’ve faced in your career to date, and how have you overcome them?
My three-year apprenticeship included a Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) in Mechanical Engineering, which meant a lot of theoretical learning.
I was 31 at this stage, and so had been out of education for 15 years. That’s a long time to be out of the classroom – and while at school, no one would have considered me as being particularly academic.
The answer to this was to work hard, put in a lot of effort, and find ways to get my head around the things I was required to learn.
3. What skills or traits do you believe are most crucial for someone to thrive in the corrosion industry?
I think you need to be willing to learn from your peers, regardless of their age or time in the job. You need to be able to think outside the box and have a good ability to problem solve, sometimes under tough conditions.
4. How would you describe your role within the Institute of Corrosion to someone unfamiliar with it?
I’m on the Committee of Young ICorr (YICorr), attending events and being involved with this dynamic section. My favourite part of the role is helping others. It’s satisfying to be able to give back to an organisation that has given me so much, and I’m hopeful that my role will expand further in the near future.
5. What inspired you to become involved in Young ICorr?
Since attending the ICORR Young Engineer Programme (YEP) in 2020, I have tried to be an advocate for people without a college or university education.
You see, I left school with four GCSEs and no idea what I wanted to do. I have found a job I really enjoy and believe in now. I want to share my experiences with others, to help them understand that you don’t have to have a higher education to be able to do well in this industry.
As long as you have the belief in yourself and are willing to learn, it’s an industry in which you can enjoy a great career, and in which you get to meet loads of great people along the way.
6. Young ICorr has a tremendous focus on continuing education. In your opinion, why is continuing education crucial for corrosion scientists and engineers, especially those in the first few years of their career?
There is a huge amount to learn, and with an ever-growing understanding of the corrosion industry, alongside new technologies being developed and a world moving more towards sustainable energy, there will inevitably be a need to learn new things.
If you continually learn and develop, then you can progress in your career and take advantage of your growing knowledge and capability as the industry evolves.
7. Looking ahead, what are your main goals and aspirations for your career over the next few years?
I want to continue to develop my understanding of the industry, and would like to start moving towards the design and development area. I want to keep building my network of corrosion professionals and keep learning as much as I can.
8. And for Young ICorr – what are your aspirations for this part of the Institute of Corrosion?
I want to see ICorr grow and help Young ICorr to bring new people into the industry, including by letting people at school and college levels learn about the corrosion industry and the career opportunities it can provide.
9. What has been your most significant learning or personal growth experience since joining the Institute of Corrosion and Young ICorr?
I have learned to have more self-belief.
I had a lot of ‘imposter syndrome’ when I started the YICorr programme – I was acutely aware of my lack of higher education compared to my peers. But I was able to bring other skills and experience to the table that made me an asset. I now have the belief that I can learn and achieve anything, as long as I’m willing to work for it.
10. What advice would you give to someone just starting out in their scientific or engineering career, especially in terms of professional development?
I think there are four things that I would suggest:
- Work hard.
- Don’t be nervous about asking questions.
- Believe in yourself.
- Put in the effort to gain industry-recognised qualifications – they will be an immense benefit and help you to achieve more in your career.
11. Tell us something about yourself, something that might surprise fellow members?
I have a keen interest in astronomy and astro photography. I find the scale of space and the engineering involved in its exploration fascinating, and really enjoy being able to see or photograph things that are so far away. I also like being able to tell people a bit about what they are seeing if they ask. I also snuck in a trip to the Houston Space Center after the AMPP 2022 Conference, to see the Saturn V rocket which had been a long-held dream!
What do you want to ask a corrosion specialist?
Ben’s career is an inspiration, and demonstrates just how well school/college leavers and career transitioners can do in our industry.
Now it’s over to you. Let us know what you’d like us to ask the next ICorr member we put in the hotseat for 11 questions in 11 minutes. Send us an email, and we’ll try to include your question.