A career in fusion?

The 2009 Education Exhibition of Catalonia opened its doors between 18-22 March to welcome more than 80,000 students that found themselves at the crossroads of some serious decision-making: which degree? which university? what career?

It’s an annual event that brings together universities, vocational training schools, higher education and occupational training centres, language and baccalaureate schools.

This year’s new feature was the creation of a science/technology space in order to stimulate the interest of young people and promote scientific careers.

Fusion For Energy was asked by the Fundació Catalana per a la Recerca i la Innovació (FCRI) to participate at the science and technology space in order to explain the basics about fusion energy, the objectives of the ITER project and the type of careers linked to this project.

We deployed our troops from the technical, resources and communication departments to respond to the different types of questions raised by our young citizens, which defied all standard clichés. We were confronted with an opinionated and critical youth that expressed its hopes and fears about the energy crisis, the need for sustainable solutions and the challenge to bring the energy of the sun to earth. Most students were impressed with the size of the reactor and the small quantity of fusion fuel that we need to generate electricity. Their favourite questions were about plasma temperatures, magnetic confinement and sustainability. Ours was when will they be joining us?