[bcrdukes]

My dad has been in the industry for over 25 years. He started from the ground up as a lot boy with a very limited command of English and has since worked on Indy race cars, exotics, to becoming a freelance contractor/consultant to a luxury marque. I will answer your questions according to what he's told me:

1. No real rewards, per se. It was all about providing food on the table, clothes to wear, and a roof over our heads. He gets factory demo cars on loan often and gifts/perks from companies.

2. Definitely the health/safety standards but a tough question to answer.

3. He's been in the industry for over 25 years so....yeah. But there are career paths like Truenosan mentioned or you do what my dad did. For him, it was luck of the draw. Companies (manufacturers and suppliers) liked his work and hired him on a contract basis and as a consultant. This doesn't happen often but it does and you have to be REALLY good. Cream of the crop material. But in the end, for him, it was a means to an end for his family.

4. Willingness to learn, adapt, take the criticism, and be prepared to fail.