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Deon Clark
Deon Clark
01:12

Deon Clark

Palo Verde Power Plant/Legacy Initiative

Tonopah, AZ USA

"Get ready to become a nerd…because the nerd faces all the same challenges as everyone else, yet the nerd has the strength to defy all the peer pressure, do well in school, and still survive-without the entourage! That's a tough kid!"

Career Roadmap

Deon's work combines: Engineering, Science, and Building Things

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Day In The Life

Nuclear Engineer / Founder

I train, evaluate and examine Nuclear Reactor Operators to ensure compliance with federal regulations.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General

    The New School

  • Certification

    Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician

    LaSalle Nuclear Generating Station

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    Came from a poor, rough part of Chicago: brother is in prison, sister recently got out.

  • 2.

    He made a promise to his mother and to himself that he'd get an education and career; he was a good student, excelled at math.

  • 3.

    His older brother went to the Navy, he went to try out as well; had to take a difficult exam that usually wasn't even given to kids in his area.

  • 4.

    Figured out a pattern within the test and scored so well that one recruiter assumed he had cheated.

  • 5.

    Placed in an 18-month program that would qualify him to operate a nuclear power plant; had to work seven days a week, 15 hours a day.

  • 6.

    Was one of only 35 people that made it through; was running a nuclear aircraft carrier, head of a 42-person staff at age 19.

  • 7.

    Now he spends much of his time speaking to young students; he tries to dismantle the negative connotation behind the word "nerd."

  • 8.

    Tells road-trippers that they'll likely have to break away from everything they know, exit their comfort zone, but it'll be worth it.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from undefined:

  • How I responded:

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

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  • My brother is currently serving a 285 year prison sentence, my sister just got out of jail, and so for me, remembering where I came from and these battles, that's the thing I made a promise to myself and to my mother: come hell or high water, I will get there.