This season's hot nuclear careers draw young professionals to DC meeting
The American Nuclear Society's (ANS) Young Members Group and the North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NA-YGN) join forces to hold the first-ever Young Professionals Congress, A Hitchhiker's Guide to a Career in Nuclear. The day-long session runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. Co-located with the ANS 2005 Winter Meeting, the event will feature professional development, current issues, and even a 'dress for success' luncheon speaker.
Event participants represent the industry's ambitious young professionals who chose nuclear long before volatile fuel prices and environmental pressures drew government, industry and the public to consider nuclear solutions.
"This is sure to be a great event," says David Pointer, chair of the ANS Young Members Group. "There is so much new energy surrounding nuclear today, and it's exciting to showcase how much an organization like the ANS has to offer. That's what this first-ever event is all about: highlighting the opportunity that's here in front of us and building the relationships and connections that will ensure and sustain successful and rewarding careers doing what we love to do."
"While it's sure to be fun, the Dress for Success session really reflects the changes in the nuclear field happening around the world," according to Lisa Stiles-Shell, president of the NA-YGN and the event's co-chair. "The entire industry and associated research disciplines involved in nuclear science and technology are undergoing their own extreme makeover. Younger professionals are coming of age, if you will, in a completely different - and very exciting - environment than our predecessors. This conference will reflect that."
In addition to soft-skills, the agenda focuses on current nuclear issues and practical career-development techniques, from time management, collaboration, professional relationships, and communicating effectively on nuclear issues to the role of nuclear in the hydrogen economy. Sessions on becoming active in the ANS and sustaining that participation along a developing career path round out the program.
The ANS Young Members Group (YMG) was established to engage the newest career professionals in nuclear fields beyond their student affiliation with the 50-year-old professional association. The YMG promises to be a vital addition to the ANS during the most active and visible period in decades. It also offers meaningful connections to special interest groups like NA-YGN that will help the organization remain relevant to the changing field.
NOTE TO MEDIA: ANS welcomes the media to pre-register for complimentary conference badges at www.ans.org/meetings/winter/registration. Or visit the ANS Media Center, Nov. 14-17 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.
