[huy-nguyen]

I went to Reed as an undergraduate in the recent past and spent 2 academic years (freshman and sophomore) attending the training courses to earn both a Reactor Operator and Senior Reactor Operator licenses. Each level took about one and a half semester and consisted of weekly lectures and labs. The remaining half semester is spent on prepping for the federal licensing exam. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission fly out 2 examiners at the end of each academic year to administer these exams (around 3 hours of written exam and 2 hours of “walk through” exam where they walk with you around the facility and ask you anything and everything about the reactor and its supporting systems). As an undergraduate, your license automatically expires when you graduate unless you become an associate director of the reactor (I personally know one person who was good enough to qualify for this exception). It was a unique experience and I learned a lot about nuclear physics in the process.

[throwoutway]

That’s super cool. Did you know about this program in high school when you applied? I wish I knew more about unique college programs like this before I chose

[huy-nguyen]

I was aware of the reactor when I applied but it wasn’t the primary motivating factor. I’m sure many schools have unique programs like this and it’s just a matter of taking advantage of them wherever you attend.