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At NRG PALLAS, we offer young talents the opportunity to develop themselves in a challenging and innovative environment. Our traineeships are designed to help technical professionals grow and to introduce them to the various aspects of our work. Anna Bakker, now working as a Reactor Utilization Expert at the HFR, started her career with us as a trainee. In this article, she shares her experience and how her career has progressed within NRG PALLAS.

Getting to know NRG PALLAS
My name is Anna Bakker, and I studied Chemical Engineering at TU Delft. I got to know NRG PALLAS through a company visit organized by my study association. I found it fascinating to see how the employees we spoke with during the visit were both professional and approachable. I was especially drawn to the idea of a traineeship, as it offered the opportunity to grow personally while getting to know the company well. All of this convinced me to apply.

A diverse traineeship
During my traineeship, I was able to explore various roles in different departments at NRG PALLAS. For example, I led the first day of the TMS VRS-D course, helped update the documentation at C&S Laboratory Services, and optimized the short-lived isotopes supply chain. These projects allowed me to build a broad network within the company, which eventually led me to my current role as Reactor Utilization Expert at the HFR.

A new challenge as Reactor Utilization Expert
When I started in this position in July 2024, I invested a lot of energy into shaping the newly created role of Reactor Utilization Expert at the HFR. I took on the challenge of understanding the installation and production processes and getting to know my colleagues better. It took some time to adjust to the responsibility of advising HFR management on the efficient and reliable use of the reactor. The pace at HFR is also faster than what I was used to. But the time and energy I’ve put in are already paying off—I’m really enjoying my time at HFR, and I’ve already been able to suggest several relevant improvements to the production process.

A technical work environment as a woman
Although the technical field—particularly the nuclear sector—is predominantly male, I’ve never felt held back as a woman. I feel appreciated and respected for who I am (not what I am), and that’s a great feeling.

A dynamic workday
No day at the HFR is ever the same. We start each morning at 8:45 with a team meeting to review relevant notifications and go over the day’s planning. After that, I usually have a number of meetings related to the projects I’m involved in—steering group meetings, or a BiLa (one-on-one) with a colleague. Between meetings, I take time to work through my notes, brainstorm with colleagues, and tackle my to-do list. During a reactor cycle, I’m also on standby for any ad hoc issues that could impact production. I enjoy how dynamic my workdays are—there’s never a dull moment!

Why NRG PALLAS?
I’m really enthusiastic about NRG PALLAS as an employer because they’ve given me the chance to grow, and they truly recognize and support my talents. I love working in a technical environment like the HFR, where there’s so much to learn—I don’t think I’ll ever stop learning here! In my current role, I’m constantly challenged to combine my technical background with communication and creativity, which really suits me. And thanks to the great atmosphere and engaged colleagues, each day is not only productive but also enjoyable.

Curious about our traineeships or current vacancies?
Click here for more information and discover what opportunities NRG PALLAS has to offer you!