Can describe how your job requires multidisciplinary skills?
Training and coaching people for space is not only about telling commercial astronauts about the various techniques they can use to stay calm and focused for their spaceflight, and demonstrating how they work. It's also about gaining their trust in order for them to tell you about an area that they feel they need extra help with, which puts them in a vulnerable position. My clients need to feel completely supported by me and that I am fully on their side and want them to succeed with flying colors! So I need to tap into my intuitive/feeling side to pick up on any signs from my clients if they are not open and forthcoming in telling me about their shortcomings or worries. Once we can pinpoint the areas to work on in the training, then the fun starts and the tailor made training for each client can begin! This is also true when I will be accompanying others to space as a coach, especially during preflight and midflight. I am there to maximize their comfort with the entire experience and am ready to jump in when needed, so my full attention is always on them and being able to read what is going on with them.
What ambitions do you have for your space career?
Ultimately, I would like to go to space as a trainer and coach for both individuals and groups. And if I had my druthers, I would like to work as a space hotel manager (in orbital space).
What advice would you give fellow non-tech space enthusiasts if they want to pursue a job in space?
Try and think about what the future needs will be for people living and working in space and try to create and provide that service for them! For example, you can imagine that when space hotels are actually up and running, there will be a need for people who will want to eat better food than what is currently available for astronauts. Space chefs or people who specialize in this new field can potentially get themselves a trip to space in order to provide this service for the hotel. There are many more areas that will need attention and foresight. If you can imagine it, you can create your own niche! Go for it!