What is Journey to Nuclear Engineering?

It is a series of blogs that document a personal ambition of becoming a nuclear engineer. Understanding that it is going to be a rough and difficult journey, I figured starting a blog about the journey would be a great way to reflect on my past trials and tribulations. If people find it of use, it can be used as a source of inspiration or show other people how they could go about their Journey. The main thing is, I may never achieve my ultimate interest and I fully accept that reality. It is about the Journey, not the outcome.

It also achieves another goal of becoming a better communicator. As of 2024, I have, for years, struggled to convey what my mind is trying to say to others. Slowing down, paying more attention to my works and recording the results, I believe, would help my mind wire itself in a more refined way.

Who am I?

My name is Steve Frampton. I am, as of 2024, 26 years old. I live in northern Victoria, along the border with New South Wales, in Australia. I held a few different jobs over the course of my life, lived in a few different places and attempted University many times - without achieving a degree or certificate.

I want to achieve something greater than my self. Australia is called the “lucky country”, although it seemingly feels less so. I have grown up witnessing the decline of manufacturing (cars, for example), felt the effects of water shortages and some of the pain of the farming community (I won’t say I know their pain because I have never dealt with that industry, just that I have felt it by proximity) and the deterioration of our energy grid and Murray-Darling Basin.

I believe these issues have had enormous knock-on effects onto other issues that are more felt. Such as high energy costs and low energy security, youth unemployment, skills shortages, high illicit drug production and use just to name a few.

But I believe, one day, Australia will collectively wake up and begin to care more for reviving the industries that are both foundational and paramount to a thriving economy. My belief is we start with the main currency - energy, not AUD. The ability to do work. And nuclear energy, energy from the atom, has enormous potential left to be exploited.

All these the points made above is the driving force for wanting to become a nuclear engineer, because I believe heavily in its potential to help us. It is central to my character and I wish you to join me in this Journey.

If you feel convinced, make sure to subscribe and follow this Journey.