3 answers
Zoe
Student
1
Question
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Can getting a major and minor in the same field increase chances of working in that field?
I will be a freshman at collage in fall of 26 and my major is Nuclear Engineering. I want to work in power plants, so I was planning to have my minor be in the same field, like mechanical or environmental. Is it worth it and will it help me get into the field after collage?
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3 answers
Joseph Neilson
Radiation Detection Physicist
271
Answers
Oxford, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
If you're talking about roles in the US, it's a slightly different system to how it works in other parts of the world, like here in the UK, so I'm not sure how relevant my answer will be, but I thought my perspective as a nuclear scientist might be valuable anyway.
Here, we don't really have a major-minor system in the same way you do - typically we pick an exact degree course title at a slightly earlier stage, and it's usually a one-subject course. However, there's two aspects of our system that are a bit like the major-minor system, and I can suggest how people in my industry look at those.
One thing we have is a joint-honours degree - which is a bit more like a double-major rather than a major-minor, typically in (seemingly) disconnected fields - for example Nuclear Engineering with French. Another thing we have is subfield specialisations - my undergrad degree was a Physics degree with a subfield specialisation in Astrophysics.
In terms of how they're regarded, a lot of people tend to see them as more or less the same; they're all in essence a degree in a nuclear subject. There can be a small edge to having a specialisation in the exact field of the particular job you're applying for, so it's potentially beneficial, but it's often not a huge effect. A joint-honours can also be a real benefit if the second subject connects to the role. I mentioned "with French" because I know if you're working with the French EPR reactors or with French-Canadians on CANDU, language proficiency can be a real boost to employability.
As to how this works with the major-minor system and your examples, I'm not sure exactly. I would imagine however that a mech eng minor will be a slight boost over straight Nuclear eng if you're specifically going into a mechanical role within nuclear, and an environmental minor could be a slight boost if you're going into a role that touches on the environmental side of nuclear, perhaps in environmental chemistry, keeping fish away from your cooling loop, tracking groundwater, or accident plume modelling.
Here, we don't really have a major-minor system in the same way you do - typically we pick an exact degree course title at a slightly earlier stage, and it's usually a one-subject course. However, there's two aspects of our system that are a bit like the major-minor system, and I can suggest how people in my industry look at those.
One thing we have is a joint-honours degree - which is a bit more like a double-major rather than a major-minor, typically in (seemingly) disconnected fields - for example Nuclear Engineering with French. Another thing we have is subfield specialisations - my undergrad degree was a Physics degree with a subfield specialisation in Astrophysics.
In terms of how they're regarded, a lot of people tend to see them as more or less the same; they're all in essence a degree in a nuclear subject. There can be a small edge to having a specialisation in the exact field of the particular job you're applying for, so it's potentially beneficial, but it's often not a huge effect. A joint-honours can also be a real benefit if the second subject connects to the role. I mentioned "with French" because I know if you're working with the French EPR reactors or with French-Canadians on CANDU, language proficiency can be a real boost to employability.
As to how this works with the major-minor system and your examples, I'm not sure exactly. I would imagine however that a mech eng minor will be a slight boost over straight Nuclear eng if you're specifically going into a mechanical role within nuclear, and an environmental minor could be a slight boost if you're going into a role that touches on the environmental side of nuclear, perhaps in environmental chemistry, keeping fish away from your cooling loop, tracking groundwater, or accident plume modelling.
Teklemuz Tesfay
Software Engineer and Career Mentor
670
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz’s Answer
If Nuclear Engineering is your major and you are interested in working in power plants, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering can be taken as a minor or through electives depending on your university. What matters most is your core degree, strong academic performance, technical knowledge, and hands-on experience, along with what you can demonstrate in practice.
To stand out, focus on gaining experience through volunteering in STEM outreach, assisting in labs or research, and participating in engineering events or energy-related campus initiatives. Build a strong project portfolio with practical work such as power system simulations, thermodynamics or heat transfer studies, energy data analysis using Python or MATLAB, and basic control system or CAD projects. Strengthen your profile through networking with industry professionals and professors, and involvement in organizations such as ANS, ASME, or IEEE, as well as engineering competitions or DOE and national lab programs. Overall, consistent initiative and real-world engineering experience matter more than coursework alone.
To stand out, focus on gaining experience through volunteering in STEM outreach, assisting in labs or research, and participating in engineering events or energy-related campus initiatives. Build a strong project portfolio with practical work such as power system simulations, thermodynamics or heat transfer studies, energy data analysis using Python or MATLAB, and basic control system or CAD projects. Strengthen your profile through networking with industry professionals and professors, and involvement in organizations such as ANS, ASME, or IEEE, as well as engineering competitions or DOE and national lab programs. Overall, consistent initiative and real-world engineering experience matter more than coursework alone.
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
238
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Zoe,
Both breadth and depth of knowledge & skills will serve you well, in the long run, in your career. Mechanical engineering will be very helpful for someone who intends to work in a power plant. Environmental studies will help you better understand the risks & challenges associated with nuclear power plants to persons, equipment and the environment.
Excelling in what you do attracts opportunities. Focus on pursuing your studies with distinction. Take advantage of every opportunity for internships, mentorships and apprenticeships as practical knowledge, acquired through experience, improves our competence and makes us more marketable. There are important skills you need to master in the course of your studies and practice:
Planning, analytics, problem solving, teamwork, effective communication , organizing, time management etc.
Success at the place of work is also greatly influenced by the personal qualities you bring into the job: diligence, commitment, perseverance, passion, willingnesss to take risks, curiosity, empathy, self-control, positive mindset, attention to detail, assertiveness, self-drive etc. Embedding them into your work ethic will serve you very well.
Good luck in your studies.
Both breadth and depth of knowledge & skills will serve you well, in the long run, in your career. Mechanical engineering will be very helpful for someone who intends to work in a power plant. Environmental studies will help you better understand the risks & challenges associated with nuclear power plants to persons, equipment and the environment.
Excelling in what you do attracts opportunities. Focus on pursuing your studies with distinction. Take advantage of every opportunity for internships, mentorships and apprenticeships as practical knowledge, acquired through experience, improves our competence and makes us more marketable. There are important skills you need to master in the course of your studies and practice:
Planning, analytics, problem solving, teamwork, effective communication , organizing, time management etc.
Success at the place of work is also greatly influenced by the personal qualities you bring into the job: diligence, commitment, perseverance, passion, willingnesss to take risks, curiosity, empathy, self-control, positive mindset, attention to detail, assertiveness, self-drive etc. Embedding them into your work ethic will serve you very well.
Good luck in your studies.