MOMENTUM • VIRGINIA TECH MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 25 for me ,” said Roberts . “ I had to buckle down and study after my first year , when I goofed off . The real trigger was the co-op job . The fact that I was working at a nuclear plant really piqued my interest . In fact , that was what caused me to take elective engineering courses that were more focused on nuclear engineering .”
Darrell Roberts ( bottom right , with arms crossed ) with his Omega Psi Phi fraternity brothers . Photo courtesy of Darrell Roberts .
Roberts was a member of the Eta Lambda chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc ., focused on social action through scholarship and other programs to improve underserved communities . He found balance in college life with a group of like-minded brothers who gave him support as he progressed .
His college experience at Tech culminated in a bachelor ’ s degree in mechanical engineering in 1989 . Shortly before he graduated , Roberts met representatives from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission at the Engineering Expo , a showcase of potential employers who visit campus to hire graduates . His experience working at North Anna was a great asset to his resume . The commission hired him into its entry-level program , and his first day on the job was in summer 1989 .
Roberts has held several positions in his 32 years at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission , propelled into new positions by his experience and diligent pursuit of learning . That education was formalized when he earned a master ’ s degree from Johns Hopkins in technical management in 2006 .
Roberts ’ work at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has included visits to campus for Engineering Expo to find new talent , through which he ’ s hired Virginia Tech graduates in the same way he entered the commission ’ s employment . This has also given him the opportunity to offer his experience as a teaching tool .
“ I ’ ve mentored dozens of people from different backgrounds , and what I see in them is younger versions of me ,” Roberts said . “ They have the same apprehensions and anxieties that I did coming up . I try to relate my experiences to them and give the best advice that I can give . One of the key aspects of that is recognizing some grace is needed , we ’ re not perfect . That mistake you made three years ago , don ’ t hold onto it . It ’ s not going to define your future . We weren ’ t born nuclear regulators and engineers ; we learn those things along the way .”
The music never stopped
Roberts followed his curiosity for driving forces into the world of nuclear power plants , a career in which he excelled . Woven throughout his experience had always been the same love for music he developed as a young child . Attending concerts had always been a meaningful experience for him , but a concert by one of his favorite music legends set him on a path he hadn ’ t anticipated .
“ I had gone to a Stevie Wonder concert in late 2014 , and it moved me to write a post about it on Facebook ,” said Roberts . “ People saw that and encouraged me to start a music blog , so I started doing that in January 2015 . I ’ m almost at 600 articles . There are aspects of music