Is A Career In Atomic Energy For You?

foreign [Music] and how the theory was revolutionary that we could get energy from the basic units of matter [Music] but in a relatively short time we harnessed that energy and put it to use at sea and on land in the future we hope this potentially unlimited energy source will efficiently generate much of our electric power distill fresh water from the oceans and Propel Rockets further into space the full potential of the field is being explored by teams of researchers but already more than 235 000 men and women are employed in various parts of this new industry maybe you'll be interested by some of the occupations involved with atomic energy foreign foreign [Applause] [Music] only in the past few decades have we been able to tap the energy found in the nucleus of the atom using fuels derived from uranium ore we have controlled this energy inside reactors which convert it to other forms of power [Music] we have stored this energy in explosives and materials for defense we have channeled this energy to help treat disease at the same time a whole new industry is developed which requires many kinds of research and Industrial activities involving the production of nuclear fuels the building and operation of nuclear facilities reactors weapons experimental equipment and special instruments and the disposal of radioactive wastes [Music] foreign ists Engineers technicians and skilled craft workers make up a large proportion of employment in this industry because much of the work is still in the research and development stage a major group of the research scientists are physicists but many chemists mathematicians metallurgists and biological scientists are also involved in basic and applied research this includes such projects as using particle accelerators to study the properties of the particles inside a nucleus finding new ways of creating fissionable fuel helping to plan an intricate component for a reactor core and developing some of the materials that are needed for the implementation of the fusion process where energy will be created from the combining of hydrogen atoms many Atomic research projects are also concerned with using radiation for Medical Treatments and developing new plant strains as well as finding better protection from unnecessary radiation [Music] Engineers are also part of the research teams mechanical engineers are the largest single group but many electrical electronic chemical and metallurgical Engineers are also employed other researchers include technicians who assist the scientists and Engineers or operate such test equipment as this slave manipulator to perform standard tests on radioactive materials by using remote controls these hot cell technicians remain protected from dangerous radiation by Shields of lead and concrete hot cell technicians wearing protective clothing Also may enter the cell to set up experiments or decontaminate the equipment and then many skilled workers are needed to build and maintain experimental equipment [Music] now not all scientists engineers technicians and craft workers are involved in research many scientists feel management positions chemical Engineers are needed to set up the processing operations that will Mill refine or enrich uranium mechanical and civil engineers May design and build nuclear power stations and skilled craft workers such as electricians plumbers and pipefitters are needed at every operating atomic energy facility these maintenance workers must be highly skilled because of the Precision required for example pipefitters may have to work to tolerances of less than one ten thousandth of an inch and use pipes made of rare and costly materials such workers as instrument repairs may also have to meet higher reliability standards than in most Fields other craft workers are needed to manufacture reactors many of the skilled workers in this field are all-around machinists but other Specialists including welders and Sheet Metal Workers along with helpers and assemblers are also employed every reactor built whether it be an experimental model or placed in the hull of a submarine or nestled into an electrical Generating Station needs an operator nuclear plant operators need a basic understanding of reactor Theory and must pass government tests to be licensed operators who work with research and test reactors may also have to inspect and adjust their control panels [Music] comes from uranium found mainly in the states of New Mexico Wyoming Utah Colorado and Arizona after geologists and Mining Engineers have located the ore deposits and planned the mines most of the employees fill production jobs such as Miners and Drillers in underground mines and truck drivers bulldozer operators and machine loaders at open pit mines after it has been taken from the earth uranium is extracted from the oars at nearby Milling plants these Mills employ many skilled repairers and metallurgical and chemical process workers uranium refining and enriching plants found mainly in Ohio Tennessee Kentucky and Illinois also use conventional chemical and metallurgical processes skilled maintenance craft workers account for a large proportion of the employees of the highly automated uranium enriching plants and many technicians work in the associated chemical labs [Music] every facility has a program for protecting its employees and reducing radiological hazards these programs are carried out by radiation monitors who use special instruments to determine radioactivity levels they also calculate the amount of time workers may be present in radiation zones and may give instructions on safety procedures detectors generally work under the supervision of Health physicists who set up the safety procedures training programs and inspection standards some may be involved with research projects dealing with the effects of human exposure to radiation there are other applications of atomic energy in the health field including the use of radioisotopes in therapy and as diagnostic tracers medical technicians working closely with doctors may prepare and administer specially chosen Isotopes to the patients and then make a scan to check the functioning of the different organs comparable tasks may be performed in the industrial field by radiographers who use radioisotopes or x-ray type machines to check the thickness and structure of inanimate objects specialists in other fields may use radioactivity to measure the age of ancient relics bones or landforms other occupations that are unique to atomic energy include radioisotope production operators who prepare radioisotopes for shipping decontaminators who use special equipment detergents and chemicals to eliminate radioactive contamination waste treatment operators who run pumps compressors heat exchange units and other equipment needed to decontaminate and dispose of radioactive waste liquids and waste disposal workers who seal Atomic wastes in concrete containers and transport them to storage areas because of the Safety and Security requirements involved with atomic energy there are many guards inspectors and other security workers employed in the feed along with the scores of administrative professional and clerical workers found in any industry many of these workers are employed by the federal government which has agencies responsible for directing Atomic research programs and for regulating nuclear development [Music] although it's hard to predict what new uses of the atom will be developed or when these breakthroughs might be made atomic energy could well be the major power source of the future offering employment opportunities that continue to expand the jobs will no doubt also continue to pay well and require specialized training and exacting work standards wages are especially good for scientists engineers technicians highly trained operators and skilled craft workers these are also the occupations that demand special training about one-fourth of the scientists and Engineers employed in research and development have PhD degrees the proportion of Engineers with phds is smaller than that of scientists however graduate training is preferred for increasing number of these jobs training for such Specialties as Nuclear Physics nuclear engineering and health physics is almost exclusively at The Graduate level of course is in high school math physics and chemistry will help qualify workers for on-the-job training as operators of reactors particle accelerators as hot cell technicians decontaminators waste disposers and in radioisotope production members of the Armed Forces may also receive training in atomic energy work all individuals who handle classified data or who work on classified projects must have security clearances from the government there's an atomic energy project in virtually every state in some cases plants are located in remote areas although many Atomic facilities are connected with a college or university since atomic energy does not require combustion working conditions are generally clean many of the jobs involve potential radiation hazards but extensive safeguards and operating practices protect the health of the workers and an excellent safety record has been maintained foreign if you are interested in any of the occupations in the nuclear field try to find out more about them perhaps you could visit an atomic facility or exhibit your school counselor may be able to arrange a tour since many of the occupations involved with atomic energy are Technical and scientific consider starting a science project on your own or with a school group or local Club a hobby is a good way to find out if you like that kind of activity or you could read some of the books and government Publications from your local or School library while you're at it you might want to check on some other careers as well there are a wide range of opportunities in the world of work and the more you know about different occupations the better chance you will have of developing a career that suits you so take a look at other career films and talk over your ideas with your parents and Friends your school counselor can be particularly helpful in pointing out the Education and Training needed for specific occupations and a visit to your local state employment office will reveal what jobs are available in your area or any other part of the country you may feel that your life is now being bombarded with all kinds of new information experiences and decisions to be made but later on you will see that these were the elements from which you patterned your lifestyle and your career [Music] what roads do I travel and how shall I go will Mysteries unravel and how will I know that it's my career where shall I go [Music]