Spotlight on OPG employee Karissa Palinka
Karissa Palinka knew she wanted to do something technical and hands-on with her life, but she also wanted to hold true to her values.
From an environmental standpoint, she wasn’t interested in the other energy companies recruiting heavily at her Queen’s University campus two years ago. Then she found out about OPG and nuclear energy, and it seemed to be the perfect fit.
I wanted to do something that wasn’t so destructive to the environment. I could really support clean energy and I liked nuclear because it’s quite technical. So I applied to OPG’s training program and I’ve been happy ever since.Karissa Palinka, Environmental Qualification Specialist
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.
I’ve really learned a lot both about the science behind the process and the scale of the industrial application. As an engineer who loves science, it’s really exciting and stimulating work.Karissa Palinka, Environmental Qualification Specialist
Employee spotlight: Karissa Palinka
Position: Environmental qualification specialist
Location: Pickering Nuclear Generating Station
Years of service: Two
Favourite place to visit in Ontario: Kingston
Favourite book: Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
Favourite weekend activities: Travelling, trying new recipes, cycling and running
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