A group of high school and community college students learned about ORNL from Robert Wagner, far left, associate laboratory director for Energy Science and Technology, as part of tnAchieves, a student support organization that works to increase higher educational opportunities for students across Tennessee through scholarships and mentorship. Credit: Carlos Jones/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy
A group of high school graduates and community college students visited Oak Ridge National Laboratory on Tuesday to meet staff and find out just what goes on at a Department of Energy national laboratory.
The Job Shadow Day was arranged by tnAchieves, a student support organization that works to increase higher educational opportunities for students across Tennessee through scholarships and mentorship. Twenty students met with ORNL staff members working in areas as varied as scientific research, welding, civil engineering and electrical work.
“ORNL is like a small city, and we need all kinds of skills to keep our facilities running and research going every day,” said ORNL Director Stephen Streiffer. “Tennessee Achieves provided us with a great opportunity to share potential career options with students as they decide the next steps in their education.”
The students were matched with ORNL staff mentors based on their interest. During lunch, they learned more about community college programs and internships offered by the lab. The groups also toured some of ORNL’s scientific research facilities.
Robert Wagner, ORNL’s associate laboratory director for Energy Science and Technology, welcomed the students and said the visit resonated with him personally, given his path through higher education. A first-generation college graduate, Wagner started out at a community college and struggled to find his way before landing on a career in scientific research.
“I am excited to see the enthusiasm and passion of these students for science, engineering and operations,” Wagner said. “My experience at a community college was invaluable, and it set me on my path to a career at ORNL. Inspiring this next generation is not only important to ORNL, but also to me personally.”
Havah Anovitz is a sophomore at Pellissippi State Community College with an interest in web design. Her parents both worked at ORNL, but she hadn’t been to the lab since she was a small child, so she jumped at the chance to participate in the Job Shadow Day.
“So far, it’s been kind of nostalgic being back,” she said. “I think it (ORNL) is an interesting option for a career. It’s been good to see people and make new connections here.”
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science.
