What is it like to pursue the same degree as your parent—or to have your child working in a field similar to yours? Dad and daughter duo Greg and Ashley Hilmas, university professor and government research materials engineer, respectively, describe their similar journeys to becoming ceramic engineers, how their career paths diverged after earning their Ph.D.'s , and what it is like working in the same niche field.
View the transcript for this episode here.
About the guests
Greg Hilmas is Curator's Professor of Ceramic Engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri. His research focuses on ultrahigh-temperature ceramics and their composites. Two of Hilmas' three daughters, including Ashley, are following in his footsteps to become ceramic engineers.
Ashley Hilmas is a research materials engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio. Her research focuses on SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites. Hilmas has been an ACerS member since her undergraduate years, and in graduate school she served as committee chair and chair of ACerS President's Council of Student Advisors.
About ACerS
Founded in 1898, The American Ceramic Society is the leading professional membership organization for scientists, engineers, researchers, manufacturers, plant personnel, educators, and students working with ceramics and related materials.