Burrell recently completed a co-op experience where she worked as a nuclear steam supply systems engineer at Southern Company in Vidalia, Georgia. Burrell gained hands-on experience by learning the mechanics of safe operation and contributing to the creation of electrical energy. She oversaw the procurement of various system components, led safety briefings, and observed a nuclear fuel exchange during an outage.
Burrell was chosen as a representative for community outreach programs and also took the initiative to develop a speaker program where she and other young engineers talked to high school and college students about the misconceptions of nuclear power.
“Networking with professionals in the field, developing my communication and leadership skills, and being able to effectively coordinate various project with peers, supervisors, and engineers is a priceless experience,” she said. “My co-op has allowed me to bring the classroom outside of the halls of my university. I learned through tactile application, then subsequently studied the method and rationale of what I have accomplished to create a versatile and well-rounded educational experience.”