My first observation comes from what I have learned from trade announcements and conferences. Fusion is the epitome of the risk / reward balance. Harnessing fusion on Earth involves some technical challenges of terrific proportion. However, the payback in potentially unlimited clean, sustainable energy will be huge and there will be invaluable spin-off benefits along the way. The industry is like power generation as a formula one sport, where the spin-off benefits are just as important as the core mission of racing (I’m thinking of Anti-lock Braking Systems and energy recovery breaking).
My second observation comes from my visits and discussions with colleagues in the Architect Engineer and Construction Management units at ITER, a programme that draws on a wide spectrum of technical working cultures. At one extreme is pure science which deals with the absolute limits of physics, materials science, optics, electronics and computer science. At the other is engineering, manufacturing and construction, which deals with the unforgiving reality of safety, constructability, availability, reliability and maintainability. Very few megaprojects cover this whole spectrum, but fusion brings it all together. Major fusion programmes become case-studies in collaboration and constructive compromise.
My third observation comes from my participation in Fusion Industry Taskforce (FIT) events. FIT exists to facilitate genuine dialogue between fusion practitioners, politicians, government officials and stakeholders. It doesn’t operate like industry associations I have experienced out with fusion. Traditional industry associations can easily fall into the trap of a monologue from one group followed by a largely unrelated monologue from another. In FIT, interested parties are able to share information, so that other actors in the sector can respond meaningfully and sincerely. FIT demonstrates that once people are given the correct platform for engagement they will generally co-operate to add value to a programme. In my view, the FIT is one of the most impactful industry groups that is active in the UK – because it is actively promoting and contributing to a shared understanding of a sector-wide business and stakeholder environment.
The Fusion Industry Taskforce has heard first-hand what private fusion companies can do to maximise the economic benefit to the UK of fusion investments, how fusion is viewed by MPs in parliament, how stakeholders in local government are preparing for STEP and the national government’s policies on fusion.
Fusion is an exhilarating industry in which to work, and I would encourage anyone to consider making the move to join us. I have five tips to share with mid-career switchers – they have certainly helped me in my career.
- Join with humility and have due regard for the skills, knowledge and experience of the “old-hands” with whom you will work (some of whom will be younger than you).
- Have confidence and trust in your own professional experience. Even though you might initially struggle to articulate your thinking to people with different points of reference to your own, your ideas will be well-founded and your counterparties will be open to understanding and interpreting them into a fusion context.
- Build time into your working-day and project schedule for reflection. Fusion is moving quickly and is challenging; you will be learning as you go. A little bit of time for thought will go a very long way to making a success of your transition.
- Know your own personal working, communication and learning preferences. There are many on-line questionnaires you can use. Sometimes you will feel pressure because a situation is technically difficult and sometimes it will because you are not operating in your natural style.
- Relish, enjoy and be thankful for the opportunity you have created for yourself to explore a new professional domain.
Now is an excellent time to make the move into fusion and there is already a great deal going on in the sector with the prospect of much more to come.
