Do you like your job?

[number41]

How many of you Op's guys can actually say that you like your job?  And I don't mean that you like the money.  I mean that you like what you do.

[vikingfan]

i'm pretty sure we don't have to narrow this down to just op's. either way as a refuel tech i like what i do, and feel im good at it also ! doinng IVVI,repairs and modification to reactor internals can be challenging to say the least. the ability to have good working relationships with the house side sro's etc can also be a challenge. each plant has its own differences but they are good to return to on a yearly or bi-yearly basis. oh and working part time and still making great money when you consider what other folks make who work year long.

[number41]

vikingfan, sorry.  I wasn't trying to exclude any specific group.  I'm just trying to decide what the hell I want to do when I get out in 122 days!  I've got a couple of years RCSS/SRCT experience, and I like that alot.  However, I think my nukeE degree and EOOW experience is my best bet.  And I LOVE being an EOOW and manhandling the plant.  I just want to know how the Op's guys actually like (or dislike) their jobs.  Of course, if anyone else has a cool job that they think I should look into, please feel free to speak-up!

[xobxdoc]

I have been in Ops at Calvert for 7 years. Prior to that I "did time" as an ELT, road HP for 11 years and ran a business for 5 years. I am very thankful for the job I have now. Do I love it? I don't know anyone that loves coming to work or loves what they do. I love volunteering at my son 's school but it pays zero! My job allows me the opportunity to do the things I love.

[Kev3399]

I have limited Ops experience since I left the Navy.(about 4 months) If you enjoyed standing EOOW and having a large load of responsibility........Then this job is for you. I work with some amazingly intelligent people, licensed and non-licensed. Everyday I go to work I learn something new and see something that just blows my mind.

The other thing that I am gettting used to......Maintenance, Training, Engineering and Services Departments. As an operator, you operate. Such a huge difference from the Navy where you were expected to do all phases of the job.

If you like to operate the plant in the Navy and disliked the other facets of the job, then go for Ops. If you liked a certain facet of the navy, ie training, then go for that.

[Fermi2]

Heck yeah. I love it. It's something different everyday, I work with some great people and I get to drive a 2 billion dollar car everyday. What's there not to like?

Mike

[MrHazmat]

I must love it, first 16 years at CN half HP and half DOT. Last 17 years for DOE just about all DOT. Yea I love it.

[Roll Tide]

How many of you Op's guys can actually say that you like your job? 

I love the actual job; but I am in Training Pergatory for now and would prefer not to answer. 

[number41]

Thanks for all of the positive responses guys!  I just hope that all of the people that hate their jobs aren't remaining silent to avoid persecution!    Anyway, I have to say that I actually like what I do in the Navy.  Training, maintenance, op's; they are all good to me.  I just like engineering in general.  Big freakin' pumps, valves, generators, that stuff is still awesome to me.  But I can't take the management style anymore.  I've been around for 12 years, have progressed to chief, and I feel like I am a competent person with a good reputation and lots of ability.  I am tired of being treated like a f*&$king little kid by management because they think they know better on everything.  I have a college degree and a better level of knowledge than most of the people I work for...........not to mention the fact that I know how to treat people (NOT as a tool that is only useful to get my goals accomplished). But I digress.    In the long run, it comes down to the fact that I don't want to go to sea anymore and it's time to change the management that I work for.  Anyway, how much different is the leadership mentality and the oversite at a civilian plant?  It's not like working for Capt. Hughes with WMFO/NR field office monitoring you every day is it?

[Rad Sponge]

I have been in commercial OPS for all of 3 weeks and I can honestly say I have enjoyed working with the folks so far. I will never love my job, because that is an emotional commitment suitable only for human beings and muh dawg.

I like my job, look forward to the responsibility that comes with putting your hands on nuclear power.

I look at it this way. Right now, someone is paying me to learn something new. Can't beat that. And, no matter how crappy the day goes, I still sleep in a bed every day with no chance of someone whispering...

"Hey, Jason, hey, Jason, hey, they need you back aft".

[Fermi2]

Thanks for all of the positive responses guys!  I just hope that all of the people that hate their jobs aren't remaining silent to avoid persecution!    Anyway, I have to say that I actually like what I do in the Navy.  Training, maintenance, op's; they are all good to me.  I just like engineering in general.  Big freakin' pumps, valves, generators, that stuff is still awesome to me.  But I can't take the management style anymore.  I've been around for 12 years, have progressed to chief, and I feel like I am a competent person with a good reputation and lots of ability.  I am tired of being treated like a f*&$king little kid by management because they think they know better on everything.  I have a college degree and a better level of knowledge than most of the people I work for...........not to mention the fact that I know how to treat people (NOT as a tool that is only useful to get my goals accomplished). But I digress.    In the long run, it comes down to the fact that I don't want to go to sea anymore and it's time to change the management that I work for.  Anyway, how much different is the leadership mentality and the oversite at a civilian plant?  It's not like working for Capt. Hughes with WMFO/NR field office monitoring you every day is it?

No the NRC is not like Naval Reactors. In fact even though you see the NRC Resident about everyday many of the issues the resident brings up will most likely never be brought to the attention of operations and are resolved at a different level. The Resident has no authority to tell you to shut her down.

So far as leadership, much different than the Navy. The expectations are higher, you're dealing with in general a smarter more intelligent group of people and to be an effective leader in the commercial world you need to have better leadership skills and insight than a great leader in the Navy. Much more is expected of you.

Mike

[Rad Sponge]

Speaking of NRC residents.

I had some of the most pleasant nuclear conversations with residents.

Holy Crap, they really are people.

I was waiting on  a procedure one day, had 15 min to kill so I walked into the NRC office, said hi, and had a nice conversation about what a resident does, the future of nuke, etc.

[Fermi2]

Yes most tend to be very nice, pleasant, and intelligent people. They have a job to do, I don't blame them for doing it.

Mike

[Joe Ferguson]

I was not a Navy nuke nor am I an Operator, but after 25 years of this business, I still enjoy it very much.  As mentioned above, I too have met some great people over the years, and I still learn alot from them. 
I'm just an old HP, but have had the opportunity to work in just about every facet of that field including management.  Not one day goes by that I don't learn something new or at least interesting, and that's a big draw for me personally.  Oh yeah, the $$$ isn't bad either. 

As I look out the window right now..................it's raining and about 37*F, and I DON'T have to go 'work' in it.  This business we sometimes complain about has always been very good to me and my family.  It's easy to forget and take for granted how good we actually do have it.  No regrets.

I think I'll have another cappuccino.

Love the ride,
rotag

[Kev3399]

I was not a Navy nuke nor am I an Operator, but after 25 years of this business, I still enjoy it very much.  As mentioned above, I too have met some great people over the years, and I still learn alot from them. 
I'm just an old HP, but have had the opportunity to work in just about every facet of that field including management.  Not one day goes by that I don't learn something new or at least interesting, and that's a big draw for me personally.  Oh yeah, the $$$ isn't bad either. 

As I look out the window right now..................it's raining and about 37*F, and I DON'T have to go 'work' in it.  This business we sometimes complain about has always been very good to me and my family.  It's easy to forget and take for granted how good we actually do have it.  No regrets.

I think I'll have another cappuccino.

Love the ride,
rotag

I'm with Rotag on this one. I don't have 25 years by even a long stretch. However, I am challenged everyday and work with great people. My family is very happy. What else can you ask for in a job?

[Roll Tide]

Anyway, I have to say that I actually like what I do in the Navy. 
...
 I just like engineering in general.  Big freakin' pumps, valves, generators, that stuff is still awesome to me. 

You haven't seen the big ones yet! You could put your engineroom in my condenser!

Oversite is much better. Don't try to BS the NRC Resident in an official capacity, but they are great to work with. Kind of like dealing with a small town sherrif.

[Fermi2]

An MSIV is bigger than any individual component I saw in the Navy.

Mike

[Rad Sponge]

An MSIV is bigger than any individual component I saw in the Navy.

Mike

I got to stand inside one at Hope. It was cool seeing that big hunk of forged beauty come apart.

[Fermi2]

I know, then put the air actuator on them and they end up absolutely huge.

Because of the design of Fermi's Condenser they had to have more Circ Water Flow. It's roughly the same as we have for both units at Sequoyah. The pumps combined with the motors were two stories tall. I never saw anything like it. Also seeing a pipe 12 feet in Diameter was sort of intimidating at first.

I just like being around power plants, I like the sights, smells, sounds and the thrill of listening to the hum of a turbine at 100% power. I also like the andrenaline rush when something goes wrong.

Mike

[flamatrix99]

I got to stand inside one at Hope. It was cool seeing that big hunk of forged beauty come apart.

The condesate pumps at Turkey Point blew me away! They were huge and most of the pump is still in a well. Then I had to climb inside the reactor coolant pump cubicle in containment.. WOW.. Makes the little simple navy nuke plants look like toys... Amazing... I have yet to see the Reactor Recirc Pumps here at River Bend.

[Kev3399]

Not to start going back and forth on this topic. Its agreed that commercial plants are bigger. However, I think alot of you have never been on a Nimitz class carrier. There are some fairly impressive chunks of equipment on them. But you are right, commercial MSIVs are just flat out ginormous. 

[WebbedOne]

Like the Navy, the people I work with make my job enjoyable.  I have worked as an NLO at an Entergy BWR for the past 8 years.  Currently, I am an RO candidate in license class.  Before commercial, I worked 3 years as a semiconductor equipment tech and 6 years as a nuke MM.

I enjoyed the work in the semiconductor industry more because I wasn't bound to procedures like I am in the nuke plant.  I was able to troubleshoot and solve problems every day.  I decided to enter the commercial nuke field to get my wife and I closer to home to start a family. 

I realize you are accustomed to long hours and time away from home as a Navy nuke.  If you don't think the working weekends, holidays, and back shifts will get old, and you don't believe doing the same surveillances (sort of like PMs) week after week will drive you nuts, then come on over.

Overall, the work is not all that exciting.  But, if you are able to live where you want to live, earn a good living, enjoy the people you work with, and get a little time off, you may be able to overlook a few things.

[Mitch257]

While I am not in Ops now and have not been since prototype days, I would say if you really like EOOW watch you would like Ops at a commercial NPP.  I really enjoyed my time at Fort St. Vrain on shift for RO training. 

Some plants are better than others in terms of "overall karma" and what it's like to work there.  Doing some exams and inspections at Entergy plants, I always liked the attitude of "we are here to be the best, to do things right" - if you found a material deficiency in the plant like an oil leak, they seemed genuinely grateful that you pointed it out, went right out and fixed it, and generally took care of business.  Unfortunately this attitude was not universal in the 90's anyway, when I was doing this work..

Reading your initial post you immediately reminded me of Mike (Broadzilla) and offhand if you are OK with the Detroit winter why not apply at Fermi?   

[Roll Tide]

Not to start going back and forth on this topic. Its agreed that commercial plants are bigger. However, I think alot of you have never been on a Nimitz class carrier.

Actually, I have (DOP testing HEPA filters and other minor tasks the CVN IMA didn't perform in ancient times).

The other day on the simulator, I was trying to impress upon my crew the gravity of the size of the steam leak. I finally explained that it was a leak with more thermal MW than 100% power on a particular class vessel in response to the dismissal of the leak as only equivalent to a few % power.

[davisclay9370]

No I hate it

[Brett LaVigne]

No I hate it

Then you should quit. If you think you hate your job, wait till you are retired and look back on your life spent doing a job you hate. That would really suck!

[12RPilot]

Ops has bad days and good days, but the good far outnumber the bad. The bottom line is you are working with alot of smart people and smart people are pretty damn fun to work with. High intellect breeds some good humor in my book. Oh sure, things aren't the same here as when Broadzilla roamed the plant, but some good folks stepped in to fill the void. I've always told the wife, if I win the lottery, I would still need to at least meet my coworkers at the bar every week. Just a fun crowd of professionals.

[Fermi2]

Ops has bad days and good days, but the good far outnumber the bad. The bottom line is you are working with alot of smart people and smart people are pretty damn fun to work with. High intellect breeds some good humor in my book. Oh sure, things aren't the same here as when Broadzilla roamed the plant, but some good folks stepped in to fill the void. I've always told the wife, if I win the lottery, I would still need to at least meet my coworkers at the bar every week. Just a fun crowd of professionals.

Dude, I fully agree!!!!! I've worked at two commercial plants and it's just like having two more sets of brothers and sisters. I had some flat out fun at Fermi and the same at Sequoyah. When I worked at Fermi I wore these bright orange coveralls when I was a NLO. They used to tease me about looking like a Station Air Compressor. Anyone who's been on Fermi's TB 1 will know what I mean. Everytime I dressed out my coveralls would disappear and I'd end up finding them in the weirdest places. I used to wear my hair in this long braid. One day I'm sitting in the MCR, minding my own business usual. While working on my application for Sainthood I felt a pull on my braid followed by a snip and and Oops. Congo, one of the other operators cut my braid then claimed the scissors "slipped". My guess is some of the older Operators will remember my first refueling outage when I had this T Shirt that said "The Sheeps Gonna Hit The Fan" with a picture of a very worried looking sheep that was heading for a large fan. I was working in the reactor building, and had just came out of a dressout area. Right as I walked by an ARM I heard it alarm, looked and it was reading upscale. I'm like F@@@!!!!!!. So I ran back to the CA, took my shirt off and chunked it into a PC receptacle. I walked by the rad monitor again and it read normal. I'm thinking WHEW. What I had missed was the announcement that Ops was transferring an instrument bus and there'd be Rad Monitor Alarms in the plant. The Operator running the Ops Control Point, McMahon , gave me crap about it the rest of the outage. He and his buttbuddies, Farrel and Serda wouldn't let up after the day I got crapped up and a contract RP Tech we called Twiggy volunteered to Decon me. All I heard for months was about showering with Twiggy and how Twiggy was adjusting the RCA Degress Monitors so I'd always look like I was getting crapped up. It certainly didn't help that everytime I walked by the Radcon Control Point Twiggy would say Hey Big Guy. Look EVERYONE there called me Big Guy at one time or other. Great Guys, great times. I wish I had been the sort of person who pulled that sort of stuff But as I said, I'm working on my application for Sainthood.

Mike

[Khak-Hater]

If you love the job, but are sick of the management style, I'd highly recommend going to work for Entergy.  I worked for them at RBS in the late 90s and have yet to find a company as well run.  It's management the way that it was intended.  If something's wrong, it gets fixed.  If something could be better, then they're interested.  Their expansion success is a direct indicator of their efficiency.  It's the only company that I've ever worked for in which the people seemed smarter and more plugged in as you went up the chain of command.  If you like running power plants, you should at least try to interview with them.