In July 2021, World Nuclear University launched a two-week virtual course, the Strategic Leadership Academy, designed to equip the next generation of nuclear leaders with the technical knowledge and leadership skills to prepare nuclear power plants for long-term operation. Now, a few months on, some of those who took part look back at what they learned.
As a graduate student at Purdue University, Robert Bean was steeped in the nuclear engineering world. He had a degree in nuclear science. He operated his school’s nuclear reactor. And he advised undergraduates on career opportunities related to being a nuclear engineer.
As a graduate student at Purdue University, Robert Bean was steeped in the nuclear engineering world. He had a degree in nuclear science. He operated his school’s nuclear reactor. And he advised undergraduates on career opportunities related to being a nuclear engineer. Yet he had never heard of "safeguards.”
“I wasn’t aware of how to apply an education in nuclear science outside of a reactor,” said Bean, who now works in safeguards and nondestructive assay at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.