What I do

I do whatever it takes to support models being made, primarily for Arc Jet testing. I mainly work on coatings: I spray standard Toughened Unipiece Fibrous Insulation (TUFI) and Reaction Cured Glass (RCG) coatings and also work with researchers to develop new and/or experimental coatings. I also provide assistance to the Branch in purchasing.

My career path

I started working at NASA in 1974 as a coop student through De Anza College. I was the first coop student in the Model shop. I took classes at four local colleges: De Anza, Foothill, West Valley and also San Jose State. I then met with the coordinator of each program to determine which courses were appropriate for the Model Shop. As a model maker, I worked on design and fabrication of non-composite work in preparation for testing in the various size wind tunnels: anywhere from the 7' x 10' to the 40' x 80'. I also worked on flight hardware that flew on experimental aircraft and the Shuttle.

In 1976 I left and worked at Bechtel in San Francisco as a Design Engineer. I returned to NASA in 1978, where I again worked in the Model Shop. In 1989 I was promoted to Supervisor and I was subsequently promoted to Branch Chief in 1992. In 1995 I moved over to the Ceramics Lab and I recently became the Lab Manager.

A typical day

I perform a variety of functions: I need to ensure the laboratory is in compliance with safety regulations. This requires a lot of documentation. In addition, there is a requirement to keep a running log of supplies such as alcohol and chemicals used in spraying in the booth. I coat between 1 to 15 models in any given day. Each coating process is time-consuming; each model may need to be sprayed multiple times; sometimes it takes a day to wait for it to dry.

What I like about my job

I have always enjoyed the variety of work I do and in most cases, I enjoy the people I work with.

Advice for a student

Don't be afraid to try something. Just because you are doing a certain job now, or think you may be doing a certain job, in five years you may be doing something different. You always gain knowledge doing different things. Also, don't ever assume you are the expert.