The coatings industry offers a dynamic blend of scientific exploration, practical application, and real-world impact, making it an exciting field with diverse career paths. From laboratory research and product development to digital transformation and sustainability initiatives, coatings professionals find that there’s always a new avenue to explore. This Q&A highlights the career inspiration, industry challenges, and unique paths that led these four experts to excel in coatings. Whether innovating within the lab or leading cross-disciplinary projects, they demonstrate how coatings can be an engaging and fulfilling career for those curious, driven, and eager to make a tangible difference.

NeDa Hayeri

• Hometown or current location: That’s a hard question to answer! I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. Then I immigrated to the USA in 2021 and Ypsilanti, Michigan became my hometown! Right now, I’m living in Cleveland, but as far as I know, it might be temporary, and soon I might move to another place and find another hometown! Yet, I would love to call Michigan my hometown state as everything started from there.
• Current role(s): I have two different roles now: one a researcher with Automotive Research and Development Co-Op at Sherwin-Williams and the other is graduate assistant at Eastern Michigan University.
• Undergraduate major and school: Applied Chemistry at Khajeh Nasir University of Technology (KNTU), one of the top 10 universities in IRAN.
• Graduate degree and school: Ph.D. in Polymers and Coatings Technology at Eastern Michigan University
• Research focus/area(s) of expertise: That’s another hard question to answer! During my Ph.D., my research was focused on developing Organic-Inorganic Hybrid systems. I synthesized Silane-based multifunctional oligomers and formulated them as a hydrophobic clearcoat for various substrates such as aluminum, plastics, and wood. Another groundbreaking part of my research was that the developed hybrid system showed multi-curing capabilities meaning that the system can be cured under various conditions such as thermal, UV, ambient, and a combination of these conditions as a dual system. Moreover, I tried to develop a hybrid system UV-LED nail gel as a more sustainable alternative to conventional nail gels. Besides the research I’ve done as part of my Ph.D., I have done a lot of work on automotive coatings such as primers, base coats, and clear coats, that are applicable for both OEM and refinish. I’ve also done massive research on UV-cure coatings and worked on developing green materials such as biobased oligomers.
• Number of years in the field of coatings: 16 years

Q: What inspired you to pursue a Ph.D. in Polymers and Coatings?
A: I’ve been working in the coatings industry since 2008. I have worked on various coatings and learned so much since then and I have always looked for more information and deeper knowledge. I believe one way to learn more about something is by pursuing a Ph.D. I know it’s not the easiest way to get more information, but I believe that studying and working as a Ph.D. student helped me to get a better and deeper understanding of coatings and their ingredients, such as oligomers, monomers, additives, and more. When you are working as a scientist in a coatings company, you might have a huge chance to work on various formulations, Otherwise, you might never find the chance to synthesize an oligomer, formulate that oligomer, optimize your formulation, and test its properties. Pursuing a Ph.D. was best for me to experience all the processes at once.

Q: How has your academic background helped you in your professional career?
A: I studied chemistry for my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and I’ve always been good at organic chemistry and working in the lab. Having a chemistry background helped me have a better understanding of all the chemicals used in the coatings industry. Besides, I was aware of all the rules and requirements in the lab such as safety, working with instruments, etc. Pursuing my Ph.D. in polymers and coatings helped me to find out what I want to do and how I want to build my career path.

Q: When did you first develop an interest in coatings? Was there a particular industry experience or internship that influenced your career path?
A: I got an internship in a paint and chemical testing center for the biggest car manufacturer in my home country of Iran. Just watching all those robots applying paint on the body of a car was enough for me to fall in love with the coatings industry! I have learned a lot about paints, their properties and applications — the difference between color and shade, color space, and more things about coatings during my five years working in that company. If I were to go back in time, I would choose the same company and the same career again!

Q: Can you share a bit about your current research and how it relates to the coatings industry?
A: I’m working on developing organic-inorganic hybrid coatings applied as a clearcoat on various substrates such as aluminum, wood, and plastics. Besides harnessing a combination of organic oligomers and inorganic compounds, these hybrid systems show promising results, considering their hydrophobicity and sustainable profile. This system can be cured under various conditions, which makes it more compatible for different industries. Briefly, I different silane-based multifunctional oligomers that have been synthesized from both petrochemical and biobased sources and formulate them into coatings with multi-cure capabilities. After the curing process and extension are studied using FT-IR and Gravimetric methods. I then investigate the properties of those clearcoats applied on wood, aluminum, and interior automotive plastics. For more information, you can read my articles listed on my Google Scholar profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Nomum2QAAAAJ&hl.

I believe these innovative hybrid systems can bring a lot of game-changing properties to the coating industry, besides making the whole industry greener and more sustainable.

Q: What excites you the most about working in coatings?
A: I would say the creativity you feel every time you are working on a new formulation or new coatings.

It’s like you’re building or creating something from scratch and most of the time the results won’t be as you expected! All the failures and successes you might be facing and all the lessons you can learn are exciting for me—and believe me, there is always something new to learn even after an entire career of working in the industry.

Every time I start working on a new project, a new coating, or even a new color, I’m like, “Yes! let’s introduce something amazing to the world to make the Earth a better or at least a more beautiful place to live!”

Q: What challenges have you faced in your academic journey, and how have you overcome them?
A: My biggest challenge was being an Iranian woman studying and working in the U.S., especially after the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement. I’ve had a lot of stress, anxiety, and challenges regarding my student visa being single-entry and not being able to return home for a quick visit because of the conflict between the two governments.

A challenge I’ve faced in my academic journey would be all the failed experiments that I got as results! For instance, suppose you’re synthesizing resin and after 10 hours spent in a lab, it turned into gel! Or, you run a test, go home and when you come back tomorrow, you figure out that the instrument went off for no logical reason! So, finding the answer to address all these issues was my biggest challenge and realizing you are responsible for everything related to your project. I had to find a way. Sometimes, I went home and took some rest; the day after, my mind was in a better place and I could think more clearly. Sometimes, I ask other people to help me. And sometimes, just brainstorming with other students and colleagues in the lab can help overcome a challenge. Long story short, it’s OK to ask for help when you’re exhausted!

Q: What advice would you give to other students considering a career in coatings?
A: The only thing I can say is be patient. When you first start your career in coatings, it might sound a little bit boring and repetitive, but it’s not! The more you work the more experience you get, and as a result, the more excitement and creativity you will feel. Especially if you like science and research. Don’t give up on coatings! You might have to make the same formulation over and over to figure out what’s wrong with that paint, you might change the ingredients, application process, or curing conditions, and still you may not be able to fix the problem! Just don’t give up! It’s always worth trying new ways, just like life! And don’t forget, everything has a coating! And you could be the god or creator of that coatings!

Q: How do you stay informed about developments in the coatings industry?
A: Thanks to technology there are many ways to keep updated about the coating industries and their recent developments or needs. For example, LinkedIn is one of the best social media sites in this regard. Also, there are various magazines such as CoatingsTech, Radtech, PCI, Coatings World, and more. There are also many conferences held all around the world to attend and learn more about coatings. Following active researchers in different universities would also be smart.

Q: What are your career goals after completing your Ph.D.?
A: I would like to continue my research in the coatings industry either as an R&D scientist or as a postdoc research fellow. My main goal is to create more sustainable coatings and make this industry more eco-friendly and green.

Q: Can you describe a typical day in your current role?
A: A typical day in an R&D lab would start with a good coffee! Then, I review the results I received from my latest trial and based on my findings I would design a new formulation or change some application factors or both! After that, I would make one or more paints and test them to investigate the properties or issues I’m looking for. Besides technical work in the lab, I might attend several meetings to share my thoughts, report to my boss, or simply learn something brand new in the industry like new additives, resins, technologies, and more.

Q: What do you think is the biggest misconception about working in the coatings industry?
A: Not a lot of people know about the paint and coatings industry. People know that there are some colorful liquids in the store that they can get and paint their walls! But they also don’t know there is a major in you can study and there are many job positions and science related to that colorful liquid! Even students might not be aware of the opportunities they can get in the coatings industry.

The coatings industry is extremely underrated and unknown, and it should be introduced and amplified throughout social media and other platforms.

Adriana Hemann

● Current location: Strongsville, OH
● Current role: Digital Transformation Consultant, Dataista LLC
● Undergraduate major and school: Chemistry at Baldwin Wallace University
● Graduate degree and school: Ph.D. in Chemistry at Case Western Reserve University
● Research focus/area(s) of expertise: Chemistry, Coatings, Data Science
● Years in the coatings industry: 14

Q: What inspired you to pursue a Ph.D. in physical chemistry/analytical chemistry?
A: My curiosity about how things work has been with me since childhood, particularly when I would take apart toys to understand their mechanics — How do they move? Where does the sound come from? My fascination evolved with high school chemistry, where I was thrilled by the challenge of understanding matter at a molecular level. My passion deepened in college, leading me to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry to further explore the complexities of the field I came to love.

Q: When did you decide to study this science?
A: I would say high school is when I started to develop a love for chemistry. I had a great teacher that made chemistry make sense and led me to a career in chemistry.

Q: What drew you to a career in coatings?
A: During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to intern in the coatings industry. This experience was transformative. It revealed the intricate complexity of coatings and the vast range of possibilities they offer. I was fascinated by the blend of science, innovation, and practical application in this field, which ultimately drew me to pursue a career in coatings.

Q: Why should current students consider a career in coatings?
A: Coatings offer a unique blend of science, creativity, and practical application. The coatings industry is rich with opportunities for innovation, addressing real-world challenges across various sectors—from enhancing durability and sustainability to developing cutting-edge technologies. It’s a field where you can make a tangible impact, work on diverse projects, and continually push the boundaries of what materials you can see in your daily life can achieve.

Q: Can you share a significant project you’ve worked on in the coatings industry?
A: One project I worked on involved developing a specialized primer with stringent customer requirements. This project required in-depth research into the interactions between various raw materials and how the primer would interact with different substances it might encounter in real-world applications. Our team meticulously analyzed every detail, leaving no stone unturned, to deliver a technical solution that met the success criteria. It was a rewarding experience that showcased the complexity and collaborative nature of the coatings industry.

Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of working in the coatings industry?
A: The most rewarding aspect is the ability to see the tangible impact of your work. Whether it’s improving the durability of everyday products, enhancing the sustainability of materials, or contributing to cutting-edge innovations, the results of your efforts are visible and meaningful.

Q: How does your work impact everyday products or the environment?
A: Coatings play a crucial role in our daily lives, serving to protect and beautify both everyday objects and iconic structures like the Golden Gate Bridge. Working in the coatings industry directly impacts the longevity, durability, and aesthetics of countless products and infrastructures, contributing to a more sustainable environment.

Q: What advice would you give to students considering a career in this field?
A: My advice to students is to stay curious, continually challenge the status quo, and push your own boundaries. The coatings industry is dynamic and impactful, influencing countless aspects of everyday life. By embracing curiosity and innovation, you can build a rewarding career that not only advances your own knowledge but also contributes to meaningful, real-world applications.

Q: What opportunities for advancement do you see in the coatings industry?
A: The industry offers significant opportunities for advancement, especially in sustainability and innovation. With the growing demand for eco-friendly solutions, professionals can lead the way in developing sustainable coatings. Additionally, AI is revolutionizing the industry by enabling faster and more precise formulation and optimization.

Q: How do you see the future of the coatings industry evolving?
A: The industry is poised for exciting evolution, driven by advancements in sustainability, technology, and innovation. As environmental concerns grow, there will be an increasing focus on developing eco-friendly, sustainable coatings that reduce environmental impact. The integration of AI and data analytics will further revolutionize the industry, enabling smarter, more efficient formulation processes and predictive performance modeling. Additionally, the rise of smart coatings with self-healing, anti-microbial, and other advanced properties will open new possibilities across various sectors. Overall, the industry will continue to evolve towards more sustainable, high-performance solutions that meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.

Q: What skills do you think are most important for someone entering this field?
A: Curiosity and problem-solving are key in the coatings industry, driving innovation and addressing complex challenges. A solid chemistry background, understanding of sustainability, and technical proficiency are essential. Adaptability to new technologies like AI, along with strong collaboration and communication skills, will also ensure success in this dynamic field.

Q: What do you think is the biggest misconception about working in the coatings industry?
A: The biggest is that it’s solely about painting or surface finishes. In reality, the field is highly technical and innovative, involving complex chemistry and material interactions, materials science, and cutting-edge technology. Coatings play a critical role in enhancing durability, sustainability, and functionality across various industries, from architectural to automotive and even aerospace. It’s a dynamic and impactful field, far beyond just applying a layer of color.

Q: What has been the most surprising in your career in the coatings industry?
A: The biggest surprise is realizing not only how pervasive and essential coatings are in our daily lives but also the complexity behind them. The intricate chemistry and material interactions involved in developing coatings are still being studied and not fully understood, offering a fascinating and challenging field of exploration. Coatings go far beyond aesthetics—they’re crucial for protection and functionality, with wide ranging applications.

Brian Okerberg

• Current location: Pittsburgh, PA
• Current role: Senior Research Associate
• Undergraduate major and school: Materials Science & Engineering at Virginia Tech
• Graduate degree and school: Materials Science & Engineering at Virginia Tech
• Research focus/area(s) of expertise: Polymers, electrocoat, crystallization
• Number of years in the field of coatings: 16

Q: What inspired you to pursue a Ph.D. in materials science?
A: As an undergraduate, I took a lot of classes in physics, chemistry, and engineering. I really enjoyed learning about the different sciences and the multi-disciplinary aspect of materials science. I always felt like materials scientists played a critical role by being able to communicate between the disciplines and bringing teams together.

Q: How has your Ph.D. research influenced your work in the coatings industry? What skills from your Ph.D. program have been most valuable in your job?
A: My Ph.D. work focused on crystallization of thin polymer films. Although the work was mostly academic, the process of learning —studying literature, conducting experiments to test hypotheses, reporting results, etc.— was extremely valuable. As students enter industry, they will often work in different areas than their Ph.D. focus. Learning how to solve problems is an important part of your Ph.D. so the lessons you learn can be more important than the actual research.

Q: When did you first develop an interest in coatings? Was there a particular industry experience or internship that influenced your career path?
A: As an undergraduate, I explored different research areas, including working in a virology lab and doing summer research with one of my professors. My first experience with coatings was working as an undergraduate researcher after my junior year of college. We were working on developing scratch-resistant coatings for eyeglass lenses with a small start-up company. The experience of making my own materials and collaborating between the university research group and the start-up company definitely played a role in determining my career path.

Q: Can you describe the transition from academia to industry?
A: After my Ph.D., I spent a couple of years in the Polymer Division at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST). Our work focused on developing measurement techniques for polymeric materials. After NIST, I took a job in industry involving developing new measurement techniques to guide product development and to help solve field issues for our customers. My experiences at NIST were invaluable for my move to industry.

Q: Can you share a bit about your current role in the coatings industry? What does your typical day look like?
A: My current role involves developing new coatings technologies for automotive OEM customers. I lead technical projects at our research and development center. Although each day is different, my current role involves designing experiments, analyzing data, and looking for new opportunities to innovate in the coatings space.

Q: What excites you the most about working in coatings?
A: The most exciting part of working in coatings is being able to work on real-world problems. The products I work on are used every day all over the world.

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of your job since entering the coatings field?
A: The most rewarding part of my job is being able to contribute to the industry and community around me. I participate in several committees with the American Coatings Association including the STEM and Publications subcommittees. I also help to organize several conferences on automotive coatings, including FOCUS and the SWRI Corrosion Conference. In addition to industry events, I have been a formal mentor employees at PPG.

Q: How does your current work impact everyday products or contribute to the industry?
A: I help to develop electrodeposition coatings for the automotive industry. Ecoat is used on virtually every car in the world today and helps to prevent corrosion and extend the lifetime of the vehicle.

Q: What advice would you give to students and recent graduates considering a career in coatings?
A: The coatings industry is full of opportunities to use your skills in real world applications. There are also of a number of different roles in the industry for scientists. Some people stay in technical roles for their entire career, but others move into product management, EH&S, supply chain, or other leadership roles. So, my advice is to keep an open mind to opportunities that a career in coatings can offer!

Q: How do you stay updated with the latest research and developments in your field?
A: I regularly attend conferences and read journals related to coatings, corrosion, and polymers. I also get involved with organizing conferences and attend student poster sessions. Student poster sessions are a great way to see new innovations in the field.

Q: What do you think is the biggest misconception about working in the coatings industry?
A: I think one misconception about working in coatings is that there is not a lot of science involved in coatings development. After working in coatings for 16 years, I’ve been amazed at how much cutting-edge research is involved. We’ve done projects with several large OEM customers involving national laboratories, new manufacturing techniques, and advanced analytical techniques.

Q: How do you see the coatings industry evolving, and what role do you hope to play in it?
A: I really enjoy staying involved in industry events including conferences and committees. I also see a need for a lot of mentoring, training, and engagement of younger scientists. I really enjoy the opportunities to mentor and engage with people who are new to the coatings industry.

Q: How do you stay connected to the academic and research community?
A: I am very connected to the academic and research community. I engage in the recruiting of new scientists from universities. I also help set up poster sessions at conferences for undergraduate and graduate students to present their work. Making time to read recent publications is also important to hear about new research in the coatings field.

Sharon Feng

• Current location: Chicago, IL
• Current role: Vice President, The ChemQuest Group, Inc.; recently retired from PPG as Global Technical Director of Corporate R&D
• Undergraduate major and school: Chemistry at Nanjing University, China
• Graduate degree and school: Ph.D. in Bioinorganic Chemistry at MIT
• Years in the coatings industry: More than 30
• Areas of expertise: Technology innovation, digital transformation, materials research, business development, industrial coatings, sustainable coating technologies

Q: What inspired you to pursue a Ph.D. in Bioinorganic Chemistry?
A: The appeal of the cross-disciplinary nature of this field and the professor who was a pioneer and leader in the field. Also, there were potential practical applications of the research results to better people’s lives as well as the environment.

Q: Throughout your career, what key experiences prepared you for leadership roles in the coatings industry?
A: Early in my career, it was my experience of directly engaging with customers and listening to the true voice of customers regarding unmet needs in their work processes that prepared me to lead new product development and commercialization. About 10 years into my industrial career, I had the opportunity to go to China to build an R&D center to serve a vast nascent market (at that time) that was extremely hungry for new technologies and products. To build something from the ground up, both in terms of physical facilities as well as technical teams, was very challenging but was also a huge learning experience. It was also an opportunity that allowed me to interact with many senior leaders, including board members, and I established a large network of mentors, advocates, and peers that enabled me to be more effective in my future roles.

I also had several great opportunities to work in various corporate functions outside R&D that gave me broad perspectives on cross-functional collaboration and the critical operation processes of a large global company. These diverse experiences provided a solid foundation for success as I took on more senior assignments with increased responsibilities.

Q: How did your role at PPG, especially leading digital transformation, influence your perspective on innovation in the coatings industry?
A: The recent rapid emergence of the AI/ML approach really ushered in a new era for innovation. This megatrend brings both opportunities and challenges. The opportunities lie in two large categories: innovation efficiency gain and discoveries from formerly inaccessible and unexpected spaces. In traditional research, people are often limited to the field they know the best and they rely on their experiences in a certain space. However, breakthrough inventions were often made inadvertently in unexpected spaces. Instead of relying on serendipity, AI/ML can facilitate systematic exploration of the vast experimental space that otherwise is impossible to do manually.

In terms of efficiency, AI/ML provides innovators with tools that can speed up the innovation process by eliminating labor-intensive and time-consuming tasks and steps, hence significantly increasing the speed to market. An AI/ML approach also enables researchers to explore the vast data space that was previously impossible for humans to do manually, enabling the discovery of improbable new materials and/or applications.

Of course, there are many challenges associated with digital transformation. First and foremost is the cultural change required, since this would significantly change the way people work. Overcoming organizational inertia and inherent fear of being negatively impacted by this new way of working requires a well-planned management of change process, transparency through effective communication across the organization at all levels, as well as demonstrated vision and commitment from the top.

Second, the availability of good data (more specifically, AI/ML-ready data) is the most essential success factor to start using AI/ML in new technology and new product development. Even though industrial leaders like PPG once thought that they were sitting on a gold mine of huge amounts of historical data, we learned through our journey that most historical data, due to the legacy of their acquisition, are very difficult to curate for use as training dataset for models. Most were fragmented, incomplete, or inconsistent across multiple platforms of data acquisition/storage within the company. And to develop and implement a global data strategy requires not only collective will and determination but also significant resources. Finally, up-skill of the workforce at all levels is also a must in addition to hiring data scientists.

Q: How can scientists entering the coatings industry position themselves for leadership roles, and what lessons from your career might help them?
A: Focus on developing soft skills such as effective communication, strategic thinking, team building, collaboration, and networking, just to name a few. They need to improve their business acumen and understand the big picture of their company’s business strategies. Also, scientists need to train themselves in agility and adapting to an ever-changing business environment. As a Ph.D. scientist, it is also important to learn how to respect, appreciate, and work with people with diverse backgrounds, knowing that everyone brings unique value to the table.

One lesson I learned is that one should try to broaden their expertise and experiences as much as possible. In other words, try to become a “T” shaped talent instead of an “I” shaped talent (i.e., having deep expertise only in one narrow area). In today’s world, market needs, as well as technologies, change at a rapid pace. One with the diverse skillsets and agility to pivot based on the needs of the organization and demand from the marketplace would come out as the winner.

Q: What skills do you believe are crucial for researchers and doctoral students to develop in order to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving coatings industry?
A: In addition to becoming a “T” shaped talent, a growth mindset that embraces lifelong learning, cultivates a positive attitude toward change, as well as the ability to work with uncertainty. In addition, a sense of urgency is a must. The window of opportunity is often very small, and the market demands rapid development of innovation solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.

Q: As a leader with experience in both industry and academia, what advice do you have for young researchers looking to bridge these worlds?
A: Today, it has become more common for researchers to switch back and forth between industry and the academic world. It is important to maintain one’s network in either world, regardless of which side of the fence you are on.

Always consider value-added collaborations. I think collaboration between academic and industrial researchers benefits both sides. For industrial researchers, due to the constraint of resources, there might be some fundamental aspects of the science impossible for them to study (due to the time constraint and maybe, in some cases, the lack of certain equipment/expertise). This is a perfect case for industry to engage with an academic researcher. For academic researchers, the collaboration with industry brings purpose to serve a real-life need into their research group. It also enhances the education of their students by providing a preview into the world of industrial research and thus facilitates career planning for students. We also found that those students who worked on industrial-collaboration projects during their academic training are better prepared for an industrial career.

Many companies also have recruiting programs at key universities. Volunteering to participate in campus recruiting is another way to maintain one’s academic tie while working in industry. Senior scientists can often participate in various advising committees in academic institutions. There is always a need for an industrial perspective on those committees. I myself served on many such committees, as well as on NSF program review committees on some occasions.

Q: Reflecting on your career, what were the most rewarding aspects of your work, and how can young professionals find fulfillment in the coatings industry?
A: I feel extremely lucky to have a very rewarding career in the following two aspects. First, The opportunities to work with so many talents and through coaching and mentoring. It is extremely satisfying to watch young colleagues grow and mature into highly value-added innovators and leaders with successful careers of their own. And secondly, the opportunities to develop and launch new technologies and products that made the world we live in a better place. One unique benefit of working in industry is that you can take pride in many things you can see and put your hands on in your daily life, knowing that your contribution made these products available to everyone. It is always a risk to take my friends into the consumer electronics section of a store, because I could spend a long time talking about coatings on various products that I worked on over my career!

Q: Can you share any insights on balancing academic rigor with practical industry needs in R&D?
A: Scientific rigor is a mindset one should always have for both academic and industrial research. The uniqueness or practicality of industrial research is normally manifested in the following two aspects:
a. There must be a practical purpose for a research project in industrial research. It must be a solution that addresses a real unmet need in the marketplace. In other words, even in basic R&D, we don’t do research just out of curiosity. Likely, the winning outcome is not the expansion of knowledge, but rather, it always needs to target a specific business value proposition and needs to be aligned with the business strategy of the organization.
b. There should be constant assessment of return on investment throughout the project. Even with a solid justification to start a project, if it becomes apparent during the execution that the investment in the resources to solve the problem (both manpower and time) outweighs the benefit (revenue, profit) of the outcome, it often calls for a prudent decision to kill the project despite the passion or the vested interests of the researchers.

The other thing that often trips scientists up is the fear of failure. As a matter of fact, in the world of industrial research, the ability to “win fast and lose fast” is often considered a valuable skillset that demonstrates sound judgement and courage.