Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32Meet Jordan Hill, a mechanical engineer at INL Education background: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Boise State University Job description: I work on the Core Internals Changeout (CIC) team at INL’s Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). Components of the reactor are replaced, as necessary, approximately every 10 years to prevent excessive fatigue due to radiation exposure and to ensure experimenters can correctly model the reactor for testing. My day-to-day tasks include tooling design, procurement of ATR core components, and verifying that the CIC process incorporates code/ requirement changes since the previous CIC. What led you to become a mechanical engineer? In high school I was involved in athletics, the arts and volunteer work. My junior year of high school, I was convinced I was going to become an artist. I wanted to create. While researching careers that would allow me to do just that, I came across engineering—specifically mechanical engineering. At first glance, one would probably have a hard time connecting these interests to an engineering career. However, the challenge of playing on a sports team taught me how to work with others and take on leadership roles, art helped me become more innovative and creative, and the challenge of some volunteer projects developed my troubleshooting abilities. What do you love about your job? I love my job because of the uniqueness of our business. Unlike the typical nuclear reactor, the ATR is not designed to generate electricity. Instead, it is a test reactor designed to generate high concentrations of energy in the form of neutrons and deliver them to specific test locations within the reactor. These tests can then be used for research to help with the evolution and advancement of the nuclear and medical fields. Why is your work important to the mission of INL and the world? It is no secret that energy is the lifeblood of this country. Energy holds the key to the environment, the economy and national security. My career in the nuclear field is more than just a paycheck; it is me doing my part to continue the successful operation of the ATR, to progress nuclear technology research and development. What advice do you have for future mechanical engineers? Gain as much experience as you can. Tour facilities and ask questions, take a welding class, attend a career shadow day or company open house, attend career fairs, find a mentor in your interested field, attend an engineering summer camp, etc. These activities will give you the opportunity to“try out” your future career before you even get to college. Follow the college preparatory curriculum in your high school, while taking as much math and science as possible (up to and including advanced placement courses). However, engineers must also communicate their design ideas and decisions, so writing and communication classes are also an important part of the studies of a successful aspiring engineer. $71,000 AVERAGE STARTING SALARY 15