Metallurgists deal mainly with extraction and processing of metals. Extraction is the derivation of metals from its ore whereas, processing is involved with the changing the composition of metals to get the desired outcome. 

 They examine the performance of metals and determine which ones can be put to which uses.

Chemical metallurgists test ores to determine the recoverability of metals from them, and design processes to recover them efficiently. They also monitor metal corrosion and fatigue and develop ways to strengthen metals. They may also test metals to ensure they're of acceptable quality.

Physical metallurgists monitor the behavior of metals under stress and write reports on test results. They also investigate accidents potentially caused due to metallurgical failure.

Process metallurgists design metal parts and control the processes through which they're shaped, such as casting. They also weld and solder metal parts together.

Metallurgists interested in the environment can help design cleaner, less wasteful processes that produce less slag to be landfilled. They can also help optimize product designs so that they're lighter, requiring fewer resources to produce and less fuel to transport.

"STEEL STEELS THE ECONOMY OF A NATION"

Metallurgical Engineers must have at least bachelor's degree to pursue this field. Class 12 students having subjects Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry can give JEE Mains and Advance to get admission in top engineering institutes in India.

For candidates looking to find employment in the commercial sector, an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, such as physics, chemistry, metallurgy, materials science, structural engineering or chemical engineering, is a basic requirement.

Candidates looking to develop a career on the academic research side of things will usually need to have a relevant postgraduate degree (MS, M. Tech. or PhD).

Gaining prior work experience through vacation placements or industrial internships is recommended for all positions.

After a bachelotr's degree a person can appear for GATE (Graduate Aptitute Test in Engineering) examination which can open up opportunities for admission in M. Tech. at IITs, IISc et cetera as well as jobs in various Public Sector Undertaking (PSUs) and hence can contribute towards nation building.

For individuals wanting to undertake higher studies abroad i.e. MS or PhD, most colleges require the candidate to give GRE (Graduate Record Examination).

The primary core specilizations in the field of Materials Science and Metallurgy are:

Materials Science

Steel Technology

Corrosion Engineering

Process Engineering

Ceramics and Composites.

A person can pursue this if he is good at basic mathematics and has a considerable amount of knowledge in physics and chemistry. The person must have the ability to understand the concepts of solid-state physics as the structure of metals is the most important factor. He/She must also be good at thermodynamics and electrochemistry. 

Thermodynamics determines the nature of all chemical reactions. 

A metallurgical engineer must have strength enough to work "on the floor" which are actually near the furnaces and hence the temperature there is very hot. He/she must have the ability to work efficiently in these areas to excel in his field. 

To get more knowledge a person must get a master's degree in this field.

Initially after a bachelor's degree an engineer is employed by the core sector firms as a Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) where his work majorly involves handling the day-to-day activities being performed at the shop-floor. Eventually, 5-10 years down the line, his work tranforms into a mix of both, handling the shop-floor activities and certain operational management activities; and then subsequently transforming into operational management of respective deparments and the whole plant.

Public Sector Undertakings:

SAIL (Steel Authority of India Limited)

RINL (Rastriya Ispat Nigam Limites)

IOCL (Indian Oil Corporation Limited)

NALCO (National Aluminium Company)

Companies:

Shell

British Petroleum

ArcelorMittal

Tata Steels

Nippon Steels

Jindal Steel Works

Baosteels

Apart from core industry job profiles, certain consultancy companies like McKinsey & Co. provide consulting job profiles employing Material Science and Metallurgical engineers.

• The failure of  ROYAL MAIL SHIP TITANIC was a metallurgical failure. If scientists had the knowledge about the proper metal to be used, then the ship might be safe.
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"When Metallurgists sleep, the world rusts."

Metallurgists study the properties of metals and then apply their findings to practical applications, such as metal production. They work with a range of metals including copper, precious metals, iron, steel, zinc and aluminium alloys. Metallurgists can work in a number of areas including civil engineering, aircraft manufacture, automotive engineering and the defence industry. They might also be called materials engineers and will often find themselves working in a team made up of engineers, chemists and other materials scientists.

The primary objective of metallurgy is to produce metals and products from alloys which are structually strong, yet flexible. It is also vital for preventing corrosion, fatigue and breakdowns in metal products which can be caused by exposure to adverse climates and inhospitable environments. Furthermore, metallurgists might be involved in the creation of new materials, e.g. a combination of metals, alloys, plastics and other substances.