Spotlight on OPG employee Karissa Palinka

At an engineering career fair at her university, Palinka signed up for OPG’s graduate engineering trainee program and was accepted in 2016. It was her first full-time job out of school.

She soon embarked on a journey that included classroom instruction and a rotation through positions at OPG’s Pickering and Darlington nuclear stations. For the past two years, she has also been taking courses at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, working toward a diploma in nuclear technology.

Palinka now works as an environmental qualification specialist at Pickering Nuclear GS. In her job, Palinka ensures equipment that serves a safety function is being maintained and replaced at regular intervals.

Despite having a non-nuclear educational background with a degree in chemical engineering, the young professional says she has adapted quickly thanks to OPG’s training program. Outside of her job, Palinka advocates for nuclear power and encourages other young women to enter the industry through her role as a chair on the Durham chapter of the North American Young Generation in Nuclear.