The document discusses the growing role of women in the global nuclear workforce. It profiles four women who have established careers in nuclear engineering and maintenance. They note that while the number of women is increasing, they remain outnumbered by men. The women provide advice for those considering a nuclear career, noting the opportunities for advancement, equal pay, and support structures available. Flexible work arrangements and work-life balance programs help attract and retain women.

1. Nuclear: a great
career choice
for women
The role of women in the global nuclear workforce is growing. Focus on Nuclear
talked to four women who have established themselves at the front line of
nuclear engineering and maintenance to find out how they entered the industry,
where it has taken them and why a nuclear power plant is a great place for
women to work.
By Joanne McIntyre
T
hree of the women I spoke to joined Dawn Birmingham started her nuclear Systems Engineering, Mechanical Design
the nuclear workforce as graduates career in 1983 in the Radiation Protection and Nuclear Oversight.
while the fourth, Marie Murphy, department at Exelon’s Peach Bottom Becky Salvadore joined Exelon as a
started out in nuclear maintenance station, advancing from Junior to Senior System Manager in the Engineering
at the Portsmouth Navel Shipyard in Technician over the course of 25 years, Department before moving to a more
1984. “I was one of just two women to with the bulk of her time spent as an front line position in the Maintenance
complete the four year apprenticeship on-shift technician. Department as a First Line Supervisor and
in mechanical maintenance on nuclear Brooke Porras began her career in 2003 Manager for the CMO Team.
submarines,” explains Marie. “I moved to in GE Nuclear’s Edison Engineering
Cooper Nuclear Station in Nebraska as a Development Program and has held roles Number of women increasing
mechanic, and later worked at two other as a Manufacturing Engineer and Design “Although women are still far
power plants before coming full circle and Engineer for nuclear reactor components. outnumbered by men, more are entering
returning to Copper as the Valve Team In 2006 she joined Exelon at the Oyster the field,” explains Brooke. “When I was
Superintendent.” Creek station and has held positions in recruited seven years ago there were
Dawn Birmingham Marie Murphy
Outage Scheduler and Planner, Exelon Valve Team Superintendent,
Nuclear, Peach Bottom Atomic Power Nebraska Public Power
Station District, Cooper Nuclear
“I work with five other Outage Planners Station
and Schedulers in my department to “I work with a group of seven
schedule activities for outages. We technicians cross trained in
work with the Maintenance, Contractor the electrical and mechanical
and Projects departments to plan and aspects of valve maintenance.
schedule Refuel Outages. Each Planner We cover all aspects of AOV,
has an area of expertise; mine is the MOV, and SOV maintenance
Valve Group, Ventilation, and Drywell including the valve, actuator,
activities. My systems are the Main and testing and are respon-
Steam, Primary Containment, Radiation sible for executing valve
Protection and Ventilation. I also maintain maintenance during refueling
the Scope Control for Refuel Outages.” outages.”
12 Focus on Nuclear Power Generation, August 2010

2. maintaining a diverse workforce.” Engineering or Radiation Protection.
However the representation of women Both of these offer training more readily
does not appear to be growing across available to the average person. Some
the board according to Marie. “While women electricians and instrument and
I’ve seen an increase in the number of control technicians join the industry after
women they are rare in the Maintenance completing a degree.”
Department. From my perspective the Becky elaborated on the increasing
gap is due to a lack of awareness of the workplace diversity: “In decades past,
nuclear field among students graduating a diverse workforce did not hold the
high school; the average female high same value as it does today. Over the
school student knows very little about the past 10 to 15 years companies have
industry and the available opportunities. shifted recruitment efforts to attract
Schools offering technical degrees more women and I’ve seen female
have only recently begun offering employees developing into key and senior
programs geared specifically to nuclear management positions.”
maintenance. Fortunately the industry While Dawn agrees she believes that
has started targeting education as a like many other industries, the number of
method of developing more interest for women in higher management positions
both sexes. Our industry requires specific is still not as high as it should be.
skills and the hiring process requires “Compared to the 1980s more women
fulfillment of education and/or experience are now starting in engineering or support
prior to employment. Until we are able to positions. The role of women in these
offer more opportunities for this type of positions should and can evolve as the
training and are able to better educate the industry continues to evolve.”
public on the benefits of nuclear power Becky sees many advantages to the
we will not see a gain in women in the increasing role of women in nuclear.
maintenance field.” “One of the primary advantages
is the ability to establish trust and
Roles of women in the industry public acceptance. The industry has a
“The most common roles for women in responsibility for ensuring the health and
nuclear are usually within Engineering safety of the general public is maintained
only a handful of women and I’ve noticed although many go on to Operations, by operating our power plants safely
a rapid increase, mostly new graduates. Maintenance, Projects, and Work and reliably. Nuclear power operations
I’ve also observed an impressive trend of Management,” explains Brooke. “I are highly technical and complex and
successful women in senior leadership believe these roles will evolve just it can be difficult to convey a clear and
roles, which sends a positive message as the industry has evolved. Women understandable, yet transparent message
regarding career opportunities in the are now holding roles that were not to the general public on key issues. Often
industry.” traditionally “women’s jobs” in the early women can convey this message in a
Becky agrees: “The industry has made days of nuclear power such as site Vice manner that is clear, concise, informative,
a concerted effort to attract and retain Presidents, Plant Managers, and Senior and transparent while establishing trust.”
women. The percentage of females Reactor Operators. As women continue “In some cases, women can be highly
seeking degrees in the math, science, to succeed, more doors will be opened effective at helping organizations and
engineering and technology fields for aspiring professionals.” teams build effective relationships and
are increasing rapidly. There is solid Marie agreed but added: “The majority work through issues as well as managing
evidence that companies are focused on of the women seem to work either in and developing personnel to build long-
Brooke Porras Becky Salvadore
Oversight Quality Assessor, Component Maintenance
Exelon Nuclear, Oyster Creek Optimization Manager (CMO),
Generating Station. Exelon Nuclear, Peach Bottom
“I provide independent over- Atomic Power Station
sight and quality assurance “I manage a team of Maintenance
through assessment of compa- Engineers, Specialists and
ny activities to ensure the plant Technicians responsible for the
is maintained and operated in oversight and implementation of the
a manner that will ensure the Predictive Maintenance Program,
health and safety of the public Preventive Maintenance Program,
and my colleagues.” Maintenance Optimization, and
Performance Monitoring of equip-
ment to identify abnormal operating
trends and develop maintenance
solutions.”
Focus on Nuclear Power Generation, August 2010 13

3. Nuclear Society to network and share
experiences. Many companies also offer
programs designed to help employees
maintain a healthy work-life balance.”
“Companies must understand the needs
and wants of their female employees,”
continues Becky. “A good start is to ask
what they need to be most effective and
balanced in their jobs. Companies must
refine or expand current work-life balance
programs to keep ahead of meeting
the personal needs and wants of future
generations, while continuing to meet the
business needs and challenges of a 24-7
operation. As a wife and mother of three
young children, it can be challenging
to maintain the balance between
A contractor at Oyster Creek coordinates work during a refueling outage.
supporting the emergent needs of the
power plant with a home calendar filled
term employee commitment,” continues industry. However, many companies with school events, sporting activities,
Becky. “I’m hard-pressed to think of any have adopted programs such as flexible laundry, shopping and many other tasks.
disadvantages to being in the industry; work arrangements and allowances for Operating the power plant safely is our
being a small-framed women I might working remotely. As a single mother of primary responsibility, and this requires
not be able to accomplish some of the two young children, I have utilized these around the clock support and high levels
physical tasks required of a field worker, programs from time to time and feel that of engagement by management. I
but I can fit inside of a 24-inch pipe it provides great benefit to the employee suspect that the traditional management
or valve that needs to be inspected, and the company. By providing flexibility styles may not be aligned with some
something most men could not do,” she in the workplace, women are able to of the Gen-X and Millennial styles. We
smiles. manage a career and a family while need to continue to develop innovative
Both Dawn and Marie pointed out that maximizing the benefit to the company.” solutions, using technology to its fullest
pay rates for women and men are equal Becky continued: “There are numerous to provide alternatives that will meet
in the industry. Marie adds: “The ability to support structures within the industry. future generation’s needs.”
advance is always encouraged, including Most companies have mentoring
support for additional education and programs which can be an excellent Advice for women
opportunities to move laterally within the source of support for female employees. So what advice do the women offer for
company. Every work day brings new There are industry working groups someone considering a nuclear career?
challenges; I have never felt that I was in such as the Women In Nuclear (WIN), “If you’re self motivated, thrive on
a stagnant position.” North American Young Generation in challenge every day, and are interested
Nuclear (NAYGN) and the American in a career where you establish the limits
Recruiting professional women
With the nuclear industry facing
increasing difficulties in finding enough
qualified personnel the women had some
helpful tips.
“Companies can recruit and retain
women in the workforce through support
of women’s professional organizations
and by maintaining a presence at career
fairs and professional conferences,”
explained Brooke. “Community outreach
is also an important tool to educate girls
in local schools and colleges on the
benefits of working in nuclear power.
Companies should consider adopting
flexible work options and other similar
incentive programs to reduce the
concerns of being a woman in such
a demanding field. Work-life balance Oyster Creek’s Lilian Sulca emerges from a pipe in the plant’s Turbine Building after effecting
can be challenging for women in any repairs inside the pipe.
14 Focus on Nuclear Power Generation, August 2010

4. then you belong in nuclear power,” says
Marie.
“The nuclear industry is a close-knit
network,” explains Brooke. “I advise
women to become active members of
women’s networks, such as WIN or
the Society of Women in Engineering.
These organizations provide women with
many benefits, including professional
development and networking
opportunities.”
“My advice is to do your homework
and come see what potential paths are
available to you,” adds Becky. “The
industry is ripe with opportunity and
growth potential for women as individuals Becky Salvadore in dress-out at Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station
and professionals. Nuclear is a unique
and challenging field, but the work is not something I’d considered until I was and ethics. I learned that nuclear energy
extremely rewarding. Working in the approached by a recruiter. I spent hours is clean, safe and reliable and to this day I
nuclear industry was not something I researching the industry to ensure that am proud to be part of this industry.”
had previously considered, but I’m glad working in nuclear supported my values
I did. In the midst of an economic crisis
and environmental movements, I am Women in Nuclear (WIN)
proud to know that I help deliver clean All of the interviewees are members of Women in Nuclear, a global
organization which supports and encourages women working in
and affordable energy to hundreds of
nuclear industries throughout the world. WIN aims to promote the
thousands of Americans.”
understanding and public awareness of the benefits of nuclear and
Brooke echoes this sentiment: “I dreamed radiation applications through a series of active networks, both national
of becoming an engineer since I was a and international. See www.win-global.org or www.winus.org.
little girl, but the nuclear industry was
Focus on Nuclear Power Generation, August 2010 15