What is it like living in Lynchburg?
I think Lynchburg is the perfect mix of a big/small town. The city definitely has a small town feel, quiet and relaxed, but there are an extremely large number of restaurants and retail outlets as well. Also, I love being only a half hour from the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Trail.

What drew you to AREVA NP Inc.?
The central Virginia location. Coming from North Dakota, I really love the idea of being only a couple of hours away from the ocean, the mountains and many large cities.

What does a typical day consist of?
Most days consist of building computer models of nuclear components and piping for stress analysis. Interaction with others is usually determined by my need for guidance on certain issues.

What does AREVA NP Inc. offer that other companies cannot?
One of the nicest benefits of working for AREVA NP Inc. is the vacation time. As a new-hire, I enjoy over two weeks of vacation in addition to an entire week off at Christmas.

What has been your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge up to this point has been learning the basics of the nuclear world, as I had no prior experience or knowledge in this field.

What does your future at AREVA NP Inc. hold? What are your aspirations?
With a large number employees nearing retirement, I am looking forward to learning and taking on increased responsibility. The future for young people in this industry is wide open.

What was your biggest surprise at AREVA NP Inc.?
I was surprised by the number of friendly, outgoing people and the diversity of employees.

What is the greatest opportunity you've been given as an AREVA NP Inc. employee?
So far one of the greatest opportunities I've been given is the option to continue my education with the help of AREVA NP Inc.

What are the dynamics of your group?
The immediate group I am in consists of me, four other engineers, and our supervisor. Our group happens to be one of the youngest groups I am aware of, with most of us still in our 20s.

Why would you recommend AREVA NP Inc. to others
as a place of employment?
The upper echelon of the company is extremely open to helping employees further their careers. They feel if it benefits the individual it will benefit the company. This philosophy helps people maintain enthusiasm when coming to work every day because they are aware of the possibilities that their future holds.

What kinds of team building events are offered?
It's always nice when our group and other groups we work with get together outside of work for social events (ultimate Frisbee, cookouts, etc.).