A chance for students to connect with nuclear industry professionals

McMaster’s annual Nuclear Industry Night connected students with local nuclear industry professionals from a diverse range of fields.

More than 150 students attended the event and got to network with leaders from 12 companies – including Bruce Power, Kinetrics, Westinghouse, BWXT Technologies and AtkinsRéalis – to learn more about co-op opportunities, career paths in nuclear and emerging areas of focus in the industry.

“This event was great because it allows students to go behind-the-scenes and see what the nuclear industry is really like,” said mechanical engineering student Aisha Chaudhry.

“Events like this help us feel part of the nuclear culture and inspired to join the industry.

Erica Dao, manager of Nuclear Outreach and Education at McMaster, said the event showcased McMaster’s leadership in training and supporting the next generation of nuclear talent.

“An incredible number of students attended the event, which really speaks to students’ interest in nuclear and their desire to learn more about career opportunities in the field,” Dao said.

Careers in the nuclear industry span a wide range of sectors, including clean energy and environmental science, health and radiopharmaceuticals, radiation safety, engineering and advanced manufacturing.

“This isn’t just a career fair, it’s an industry night. Students get to experience what it’s like to be part of the nuclear community and see how it continues to grow. Events like this are how I got my start in nuclear,” said Matthew Przybylowski, project manager at AtkinsRéalis, a design, engineering and project management organization that provides services to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems.

“Coming back years later as a McMaster graduate and seeing how much of an appetite there is for nuclear on campus gives me goosebumps.”

McMaster is home to a unique suite of nuclear research facilities, including the McMaster Nuclear Reactor, where students gain hands-on nuclear research experience with access to cutting-edge equipment and infrastructure.

“As Canada’s leading nuclear research institution and a trusted nuclear industry partner, McMaster is the perfect place for students to build connections with industry leaders and develop in-demand skills that will set them up for successful careers,”said Dao.