Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station is employing seven students enrolled in the nuclear technology program at Onondaga Community College (OCC) as interns for the summer. Exelon Generation worked with OCC for several years for the college to be able to establish the nuclear curriculum in 2013. Subsequently, we worked together to add a summer internship component.
The students, who are from across Central New York, will spend nine weeks at Nine Mile Point working in each of the Maintenance disciplines (Mechanical, Instrumentation and Electrical). They will also spend time shadowing in the Operations department. This provides the students with the ability to get exposed to the various positions that they will qualify for upon completing their degree at OCC.
A welcome meeting was with the students, Site Vice President Pete Orphanos and leaders in Maintenance. Leaders shared with students the importance of asking questions as well as sharing with the NMP team their perspectives and way of thinking so that we can learn as well.
The students each shared why they have chosen the nuclear field and what they expect to take away from this internship. They all indicated that everyone has been very helpful and professional in their first days onsite.
Exelon is proud to be able to continue to work with OCC on this program to build a pipeline of skilled future nuclear workers. With Exelon's three upstate New York facilities (Nine Mile Point, FitzPatrick and Ginna), graduates of the OCC nuclear program will have local employment opportunities.