Nuclear 101: How this Sold Out Course was Built for Beginners

In this episode of Naked Nuclear, Danielle sits down with Dr. Rebecca Steinman, PhD and the American Nuclear Society (ANS) to explore Nuclear 101—a hands-on, introductory course designed not just for engineers, but for anyone curious about the nuclear energy industry. Whether you're a welder, museum curator, communicator, or career changer, this episode reveals why now is the perfect time to step into nuclear. We also explore ANS's broader efforts in workforce development, including the Certified Nuclear Professional (CNP) certificate.The Nuclear 101 course was created to make the industry more accessible and train newcomers beyond traditional four-year degrees.Course attendees have included museum staff, communicators, welders, and logistics professionals—proving the nuclear workforce is broader than you might expect.ANS is building out online versions of Nuclear 101 and future offerings like “Nuclear 102” and “Radiation Protection Basics.”The Certified Nuclear Professional (CNP) certificate is a new credential for professionals without nuclear degrees to showcase their understanding of the field.All of these programs were developed by volunteers across the industry—from utility experts to regulatory professionals and early-career engineers.Helpful links: 🔗 Nuclear 101 Course Info & Registrationhttps://www.ans.org/nuclear101/🔗 Certified Nuclear Professional (CNP) Certificate Programhttps://www.ans.org/credentialing/cnp/🔗 ANS Education & Training Portalhttps://www.ans.org/education/🔗 ANS Annual Conference (Chicago, June 15–19, 2025)https://www.ans.org/meetings/Loved the episode?  ❤️Rate the show, leave a review, subscribe to Naked Nuclear, and share this episode with someone curious about the nuclear field. 👀 Follow us @NakedNuclear for upcoming episode drops and behind-the-scenes content.