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Blogs (ALC) (Career Inspiration Articles)

Nuclear physicist tackles teaching

Science is all about exploring the limits of the universe. Teaching is about exploring unlimited human potential.

Nuclear physicist tackles teaching

Andrew J Bradley PhD had a career as a physicist spanning 30 years. He has worked in classified scientific programs in both Australia and the US. Now he has a new set of challenges and rewards: he’s a TAFE NSW teacher. Andrew applies his considerable expertise to teaching maths, chemistry, laboratory skills and environmental science.

Learning to teach real skills

“I’ve spent a lot of time tutoring, demonstrating, lecturing and supervising in universities and secondary education in Australia and the US. After moving back to Australia, it was a natural move to look at teaching again,” Andrew says.

Andrew is a PhD in chemical physics, he had a triple major for his bachelors in physics, chemistry and maths . His career highlights include 14 years as technology director in a nuclear laser enrichment program at General Electric, one of the world's largest companies.

Off the record

Andrew also worked on a range of classified programs for the Australian Defence Force. So there’s only so much he can tell us, otherwise, well, you’ll know what might happen!

“The programs I have worked in for the last 20 years required US- and Australian-classified top-secret security clearances. While I published a lot during this time, my security clearances meant that none of my research papers could be externally circulated.”

Making it all click and careers happen

So is it a come-down to go from that international, high-level career to being a TAFE NSW teacher? Not at all!

“I really enjoy passing on my skills and experience,” he says. “I love seeing things just ‘click’ with students. Having a better understanding about the world and the way it works and seeing them have a lightbulb moment where everything falls into place is really gratifying."

“I’ve done a lot of private tutoring for school and university students. But this is quite different. What I like about TAFE NSW is that’s not like rote learning just to pass a set and strict exam formula."

“It’s learning that people apply in their careers. They can take it and utilise it, explore it, build on it, use it as a foundation for innovation. That makes it challenging and exciting in different ways.”

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