My accidental adventure into STLE
By Nicole Clarkson | TLT Volunteer's Voice October 2025
STLE volunteering has given me unexpectedly transferrable skills and helped shape how I show up professionally and personally.
My first exposure to STLE wasn’t exactly noble. It wasn’t driven by a burning passion for learning or a selfless desire to spread tribology knowledge across the globe. Nope. It started with a very kind nudge that it was part of my job—and a polite “voluntelling” to co-chair a committee. My enthusiasm was… let’s say “developing,” and I may have muttered a few complaints under my breath.
At the time, I didn’t see the point. Sure, it was a break from the usual routine, but it felt more like a box to check than a meaningful opportunity. Spoiler alert: I was absolutely wrong. (It happens sometimes.)
Through volunteering, I picked up a range of professional skills, expanded my network of trusted advisors and gained exposure to new perspectives and fields. None of that was particularly surprising—it’s the kind of return you’d expect from any solid networking opportunity. But what did surprise me was what I learned about myself—and the unexpectedly transferable skills I developed just by getting involved.
I’ve learned how to build a website, how to attract sponsorships and how to organize a technical exchange that actually makes an impact. I’ve learned to lean on the strengths of my network, improved my public speaking and refined my leadership style. I even learned what not to do in a variety of professional situations. All of it has helped shape how I show up professionally—and personally.
My journey hasn’t been without its challenges, and let’s be honest—my personal style isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Because of that, I’ve had a few uncomfortable conversations and moments where the wind was completely knocked out of my sails. But every experience teaches you something, and you’ve got to take the good with the bad. On the other side of those tough moments are the truly rewarding ones—like when someone looks around the room and says, “She could do a great job with that.” And the best part? They actually give you the chance to try. (Special shoutout to STLE members Patrick Brutto, Richard Butler and Jennifer Lunn.)
I’ve now chaired or co-chaired all but one committee in the STLE Chicago Section and served on the STLE Metalworking Fluids Committee at the national level. I didn’t do it to win some weird game of committee BINGO or to fluff up my resume. I just kept noticing things in each committee and thinking, “We could do that differently.”
To bring everything together, here’s what I’d tell you about volunteering at STLE—or really, any industry organization: try it.
Pick the committee that bugs you. The one that feels just a little off. Go fix it. See what you discover about yourself.
And if you’re reading this thinking, “I have no idea what she’s talking about,” check out the STLE national website at www.stle.org,or any of the regional ones. (I’m particularly fond of the STLE Chicago Section site, www.chicagostle.org, for no reason whatsoever.) There’s a whole world of tribology out there—and we’d love for you to be part of it.
Nicole Clarkson is global strategic account manager at Oleon and Chair of the STLE Chicago Section. You can reach her at nicole.clarkson@oleon.com.