Career Path > Nuclear Operator
Potential OPS Job for a Newbie - Advice Needed
robby:
This is my first post here, so go easy on me. I’ve been reading as much as I can on this board, but it’s like trying to get a drink from a fire hose.
My background: I'm an ex-Navy nuke (EOOW-qualified) with a B.S. and an M.S. in engineering, and a licensed professional engineer (not in nuclear engineering, though). I'm currently working as an engineer for a civil/environmental consulting firm.
I’ve been getting sick of the consulting business, so I passed a resume along to a friend who works in Operations at a plant here in the northeast. I've now got an interview set up for a potential job in OPS.
I'm told (via my friend) that the plant is potentially looking to hire me for an STA position that could ultimately lead to a licensed operator position. I'm told that I'd work in OPS for a few months until the next class starts, which then takes a year or so. I'd then be back in OPS.
I’d very much appreciate any insight as to what to expect in this process. This would obviously be a career change for me. I'm wondering if I'm facing a pay cut while going through the training process. (I currently make ~$70K/year). What do plants typically pay people in the training pipeline? What do non-licensed STAs get paid? (For that matter, is this a good career path in the nuclear industry?)
My other options are to stay in consulting (which I hate) or to take a pending offer with a public water/sewer utility. The offer at the water/sewer utility is attractive, as far as pay and schedule is concerned (~$75K salary, 8-5 schedule, no overtime, no weekends), but the work sounds fairly mundane.
The nuclear work sounds really interesting, and the potential pay sounds excellent, but I've gathered that the OPS schedule can be grueling. My friend tells me they do 12-hour rotating shifts. I liked being a Navy nuke, except for the schedule. I never really considered the civilian nuclear industry before, because I thought the field was in decline. This seems to be changing, though.
I’ve read on these forums that people recommend working OPS at least for a couple of years, then look into other options if desired. I’m sure I don’t want to be on rotating shifts the rest of my life, so one thought I had was looking into an instructor position down the line. (Do operator instructors get paid well?) My last assignment in the Navy was teaching at a Navy school, which I liked a lot and was very good at.
Finally, do you all like the nuclear industry? Are you happy with your career choice? What would you do if you were in my shoes?
Sorry for the long post. Thanks for any assistance, and I’ll keep on reading the boards, too.
Fermione:
Someone is going to pipe in here real quick and suggest you use the search function on this site because these questiions have been asked before so I won't. Take the other utility job unless you enjoy shift work, being told on a minutes notice that you will be working the weekend due to plant problems, etc. Good pay and benefits but the work hours can be eratic and long.
Best of luck,
Fermione
Fermi2:
I'd think a hard charging ex EOOW would have the get up and go to use the search function.
Mike
PWHoppe:
--- Quote from: Broadzilla on Jan 24, 2008, 10:57 ---I'd think a hard charging ex EOOW would have the get up and go to use the search function.
Mike
--- End quote ---
Ahhh Mike, can always count on you :P
Fermi2:
Oh I am a creature of habit, and a huge believer in self reliance!
Mike
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version