3 answers
Audrey
Student
Lynchburg, Virginia
1
Question
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If anyone here is in the nuclear industry, how did you get there/ what degree(s) did you pursue?
I keep hearing that I need to get any undergraduate engineering degree and then specialize in grad school, but I'd like to avoid more debt if possible. Thanks!
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3 answers
Joseph Neilson
Radiation Detection Physicist
245
Answers
Oxford, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
I'm another voice to add to the "specialise at postgrad" crowd - but more of a physics direction than engineering. I did an undergrad BSc in Physics with Astrophysics, realised nuclear was more my thing than astro, then did a nuclear physics and engineering MSc.
After that, a lot of applications before I landed my first industry role (happened to be in a radiochemical lab) then I've moved around a few different radiation measurement roles in the supply chain over the first 5-10 years of my career, and eventually settled in my current role in a national lab environment.
If you're looking to go straight into industry from undergrad, that is possible for some roles, but there's likely to be a lot of competition, and a postgrad degree gives you more of an edge. I personally went MSc rather than the full commitment of a PhD, although do find that can be occasionally a bit limiting in terms of career progression - I kind of wish I'd stayed on for a full PhD, and am now thinking about options to go back to study for a part-time PhD, but that's more challenging once you've been in full time employment a while.
After that, a lot of applications before I landed my first industry role (happened to be in a radiochemical lab) then I've moved around a few different radiation measurement roles in the supply chain over the first 5-10 years of my career, and eventually settled in my current role in a national lab environment.
If you're looking to go straight into industry from undergrad, that is possible for some roles, but there's likely to be a lot of competition, and a postgrad degree gives you more of an edge. I personally went MSc rather than the full commitment of a PhD, although do find that can be occasionally a bit limiting in terms of career progression - I kind of wish I'd stayed on for a full PhD, and am now thinking about options to go back to study for a part-time PhD, but that's more challenging once you've been in full time employment a while.
Bryan Mayberry
Mechanical Design Engineer
14
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Bryan’s Answer
I used to work for a government contractor who designed the nuclear reactors for the aircraft carriers for the US Navy. Definitely had a good handful of nuclear engineering majors working there, but that was not the only engineer type. I would say it was mostly mechanical engineers since the rest of the system of the nuclear plant is just a mechanical engineering type system. If you wanted to design the like fuel rods themselves, you could go Nuclear Engineering, or if you wanted to plan/design the power scheme then go nuclear. But if you want to just be designing the pressure vessel, or the control rods, or anything else in the entire plant, you could easily go Mechanical Engineering and get a gig there.
It seems like there is a lot of government contractor based Nuclear work as in the private field it is not too huge. But there are definitely a few companies working on Nuclear non-government, just might be a bit tougher to find openings.
Check the job openings pages of these companies, and look at the open roles, see which ones interest you the most, and you can use that to inform yourself on what kind of path you want to go down for your major in college.
It seems like there is a lot of government contractor based Nuclear work as in the private field it is not too huge. But there are definitely a few companies working on Nuclear non-government, just might be a bit tougher to find openings.
Check the job openings pages of these companies, and look at the open roles, see which ones interest you the most, and you can use that to inform yourself on what kind of path you want to go down for your major in college.
Philip Gauthier
Nuclear Plant Work Week Manager
19
Answers
Prairieville, Louisiana
Updated
Philip’s Answer
Hi, I am a Nuclear Plant Manager, and I can tell you there are a lot of paths that can lead to a career in Nuclear Power!
I personally do not have an undergraduate degree but instead I graduated from Navy Nuclear Power School. The Navy paid me and taught me all about Nuclear Power. Civilian Nuclear Power companies love taking people from the Navy (even the non-nuclear sailors) because of the discipline and the experience with mechanical/electrical systems. I was hired right out of the navy and got my NRC Senior Reactor Operator License. It was not an easy journey and life in the Navy was tough, but it was worth it. If you are looking for a minimal debt option, this is the BEST way to go.
Really any Engineering Degree can help get you a job in nuclear power, but Electrical and Mechanical Engineers are in higher demand. Grad school will help but I think electrical/mechanical experience will help more. If you do go the college Engineer route, then be sure to try some internships to get some experience.
I also know a lot of people here in Nuclear that went to Technical School (or associates degrees), but they had skills that Hiring nuclear plant managers look for. Some of examples of these are HVAC technicians, Diesel Mechanics, Plumbers, and residential/commercial Electricians. You might be asking "why would a nuclear plant need a diesel mechanic?"... Well nuclear plants are big things, and they need big Emergency Diesel Generators in case of an emergency.
Also, keep your eyes on the job postings and don't be afraid to apply.
I personally do not have an undergraduate degree but instead I graduated from Navy Nuclear Power School. The Navy paid me and taught me all about Nuclear Power. Civilian Nuclear Power companies love taking people from the Navy (even the non-nuclear sailors) because of the discipline and the experience with mechanical/electrical systems. I was hired right out of the navy and got my NRC Senior Reactor Operator License. It was not an easy journey and life in the Navy was tough, but it was worth it. If you are looking for a minimal debt option, this is the BEST way to go.
Really any Engineering Degree can help get you a job in nuclear power, but Electrical and Mechanical Engineers are in higher demand. Grad school will help but I think electrical/mechanical experience will help more. If you do go the college Engineer route, then be sure to try some internships to get some experience.
I also know a lot of people here in Nuclear that went to Technical School (or associates degrees), but they had skills that Hiring nuclear plant managers look for. Some of examples of these are HVAC technicians, Diesel Mechanics, Plumbers, and residential/commercial Electricians. You might be asking "why would a nuclear plant need a diesel mechanic?"... Well nuclear plants are big things, and they need big Emergency Diesel Generators in case of an emergency.
Also, keep your eyes on the job postings and don't be afraid to apply.