OAK RIDGE, Tenn. - DOE Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) Manager Jay Mullis recently joined about 100 high school students to discuss the importance of public service.
Juniors and seniors from all five Roane County high schools assembled at the Roane County Courthouse to participate in Student Government Day on April 9. Mullis shared his perspective and insight from 30 years of federal service with multiple cabinet-level agencies.
His message focused on persistence, hard work, and mentorship.
“It’s always rewarding to spend time in the community, and meeting the people we serve," he said.
Mullis encouraged the students to identify their passions and pursue them wholeheartedly. He spoke about the value of mentors, and how these experienced colleagues can enrich the students’ future careers as they learn and grow.
“If these young men and women only take away a couple of messages, I want them to believe that public service truly matters and makes a difference. However, to make that difference, they need to realize it will require a lot of commitment and investment along the way," Mullis said.
The students were residents of Roane County - one of two counties home to DOE’s 33,000-acre Oak Ridge Reservation, where OREM is performing environmental cleanup at the East Tennessee Technology Park, Y-12 National Security Complex, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
“One of the reasons we are able to talk about the impact of public service sincerely and passionately is because we see it daily through our mission," Mullis said. “Our work in Oak Ridge is removing risks, eliminating economic barriers, and ensuring important science and national defense missions continue that will benefit this region for future generations."
Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Environmental Management
