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Department Recruits the Next Generation of Nuclear Engineers

People from the department pose with their table at the career and college fair.

From left to right: Senior Advisor Amanda Lovelace, Associate Professor and Southern Company Fellow Jamie Coble, undergraduate students Annie Berens and Lance Drouet, doctoral student Robby Kile, and undergraduate student Luke Harrill

The department visited a local middle school along with other colleges, trade schools, and companies in the region to showcase educational and career opportunities at the 2021 Vine Middle Magnet School College and Career Fair. It was the department’s first time attending the event.

The fair provided an opportunity to speak with approximately 450 students about what nuclear engineering is and how students can envision themselves attending college at UT.

“I really enjoyed hearing what the kids thought of nuclear and showing them it’s about more than just bombs,” said senior Lance Drouet. “They were so surprised to hear about all the applications of nuclear in industry, medicine, and security. I really felt like I was planting a seed for young scientists.”

The main goals were to explain what nuclear engineering is, to emphasize an understanding of math and science, and to inform of the diverse career options with the nuclear industry.