OPG engineering interns turning school skills into real impact for Pickering Nuclear
At a glance
- Two engineering students are making their mark through co-op placements at OPG’s Pickering Nuclear station.
- Joelle Korkomaz and Amirah Abdel-Rahman are gaining invaluable experience while helping advance Pickering’s upcoming refurbishment and the station’s continued reliable operation.
- With a passion for clean energy and sustainability, the two students have high hopes for their futures in the energy sector.
Joelle Korkomaz, a Mechanical Engineering student at Nova Scotia’s Dalhousie University, has come a long way to take on a co-op internship at OPG’s Pickering Nuclear station.
But she wouldn’t have it any other way.
As an intern in Pickering Nuclear’s Refurbishment Component & Equipment Engineering department, Korkomaz is gaining invaluable experience by supporting equipment engineers to help advance preparation for Pickering Nuclear’s upcoming refurbishment of its Units 5 to 8 — a project that will secure 2,100 megawatts of low-carbon, reliable, and affordable electricity, enough to power two million homes.
“This role gives me a unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the operations of a nuclear plant and the day-to-day responsibilities of engineers working in the field,” she explained.
The fourth-year student says she chose to pursue engineering because she loves solving problems — big problems like climate change. It’s why her career path so far has been in renewable and clean energy industries, leading up to her current co-op role at OPG.
As I continue my journey at OPG, I hope to further develop my critical thinking and technical skills and am excited to contribute to a more sustainable future here and beyond.Joelle KorkomazOPG intern
“It’s a big reason why I decided to pursue OPG, since Ontario is leading Canada in clean energy generation, and OPG is responsible for meeting 50% of the province’s electricity needs.”
So far, Korkomaz has been able to apply many of the skills she’s learned at school, including reading and interpreting engineering drawings. But beyond technical skills, she’s grasping the important reason behind the work she and her team are doing.
“School teaches engineers the importance of safety and ethics, which I find myself thinking about a lot here at OPG, knowing that millions of people in Ontario rely on us for clean and safe energy,” she said. “As I continue my journey at OPG, I hope to further develop my critical thinking and technical skills and am excited to contribute to a more sustainable future here and beyond.”
Meanwhile, fellow intern Amirah Abdel-Rahman is flexing her STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) muscles while serving in Pickering Nuclear’s Maintenance Strategies team.
I hope to share my experiences and encourage more women to join this exciting industry, helping to shape a more diverse and inclusive future for energy.Amirah Abdel-RahmanOPG intern
As a Software Engineering student at Hamilton’s McMaster University, Abdel-Rahman is using the skills she’s learned at school to support the safe, reliable operation and maintenance of the nuclear station, which currently meets about 11% of Ontario’s energy needs.
“Growing up, I was always curious about how things worked and loved the challenge of tackling tough problems,” she said. “Choosing STEM felt natural because it gives me the tools to turn ideas into reality and to contribute to innovations that can make a real impact in people’s lives.”
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At OPG, her engineering education has provided her a strong foundation to solve problems and understand various systems. From decoding technical documentation to working cross-functionally, Abdel-Rahman says her OPG experience has allowed her to translate her technical and non-technical skills to the industry.
“My experience here has shown me how complex systems, strong engineering practices, and collaboration can shape infrastructure that entire populations depend on,” she said. “I’m fascinated by the nuclear industry and proud to be involved with a company that’s not only a cornerstone of Ontario’s energy but also a leader in groundbreaking projects like Small Modular Reactors and the Pickering Refurbishment. It’s inspiring to be part of a team that’s shaping the future of clean energy.”
As the two interns look to the future, they have high hopes for their careers — as well as for other women looking to make their mark in the energy sector.
“I am passionate about becoming a female leader in the nuclear field and inspiring other young women to pursue careers in STEM and the nuclear sector,” said Abdel-Rahman. “I hope to share my experiences and encourage more women to join this exciting industry, helping to shape a more diverse and inclusive future for energy.”
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