Dan Pun-Quach graduated from McMaster with a master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering in 2001. “When I joined this industry, I was always the youngest person in the room,” he remembers.
“It’s great to see so many young people today who are excited about what nuclear has to offer,” said Pun-Quach, now the vice-president, Nuclear Safety & Licensing, at electricity lifecycle solutions company Kinectrics.
“It wasn’t a big industry at the time I joined. The environment is so different now because the activity in the industry is so different as we face new demands for energy.”
Pun-Quach was one of four nuclear industry professionals who shared their career experiences during a panel discussion at McMaster’s annual Nuclear Now event.
From left: Nuclear Now panelists, Dan Pun-Quach, David Heavey, Evan Cameron and moderator Sara Dolatshahi.
As part of Nuclear Science Week this fall, the event brought gave more than 100 students an opportunity to learn about Canada’s nuclear industry first-hand from those who know it inside and out.
Sara Dolatshahi, director of strategic projects at Nuclear Waste Management Organization, moderated the panel discussion. Dolatshahi was one of the first graduates of the UNENE Nuclear Engineering program, based at McMaster.
“There are so many jobs in nuclear for those interested in communications and community engagement. We don’t just work with engineers and scientists — we engage with the public and Indigenous communities on projects; everyone’s voice needs to be heard in waste management,” she said.
“That’s what I love about the nuclear industry. It attracts people who want to make an impact.”
McMaster plays an important role in building Canada’s future nuclear workforce, John Preston, McMaster’s acting associate vice-president, Nuclear, said in his opening remarks.
Home to Canada’s most powerful nuclear research reactor and a suite of nuclear research facilities, the university offers unique hands-on training opportunities for students looking to build their knowledge and skills in nuclear science, engineering, radiopharmaceuticals and more.
“There’s a sense of urgency in the nuclear industry right now as we consider what the next 20 years are going to look like,” Preston said.
“Nuclear is a big part of the solution to lowering carbon emissions, and Ontario has stepped up to deliver innovation in this space. That means there is a need for more skilled professionals. There are places for every type of student in this transformation, and that’s why McMaster is playing a leading role in training the next generation of nuclear leaders.”
From nuclear power and medical isotope production to health physics, nuclear safety and regulation, job opportunities in the nuclear industry are diverse and evolving.
Global nuclear capacity is expected to more than double by 2050 according to projections from the International Atomic Energy Agency, and as the existing workforce retires, the agency estimates that 4 million new professionals will be needed to meet the demand for nuclear power.
Evan Cameron, manager of public affairs & communications at the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council, emphasized the multidisciplinary nature of the nuclear industry.
“The isotope sector needs to grow by 33 per cent in the next few years to meet demand. We need everybody in this space: communicators, educators, engineers, physicians, nuclear medicine technologists and those in the skilled trades,” he said.
“Don’t feel like your study isn’t ‘nuclear enough,’ because there is such a variety of opportunities in this industry.”
Students had questions for the panelists, including what skillsets make recent graduates stand out to employers.
“Soft skills are super important, including being able to communicate your ideas effectively. And it’s important to never limit yourself – be sure to broaden your horizons and seek valuable experiences wherever you can,” said David Heavey, director of global strategic proposals at AtkinsRéalis.
Asked what excites them about the industry, panelists spoke of developments in radiotheranostics and targeted cancer therapies, CANDU MONARK technology and innovations that are fuelled by nuclear energy, like AI.
After the panel discussion, students networked with representatives from ten leading companies in the nuclear industry.
The event gave students a chance to learn more about the current landscape of the industry from those who are actively leading it, says Raluca Petria, manager of Nuclear Outreach and Education at McMaster.
“A huge thank you to our panelists for sharing their insights and advice, our students for bringing their thought-provoking questions and enthusiasm for nuclear, and our gamma sponsors, Nuclear Waste Management Organization and the Canadian Nuclear Society, as well as our alpha sponsors for helping make the third-annual Nuclear Now event a success,” she said.