What can i do to make myself more desired by civlian powerplants?

[navynuke323]

Hey all. I have been in the navy for 6 years, and just finished my boat tour. I just started prototype as a staff instructor and am wondering what things I can work on over the next 3.5 years to secure a position as a NLO/SRO. I am looking into getting an excelsior abet accredited technology degree... Is this a good path to go? Does it matter? Is there something else I should spend my time doing to make myself more marketable?  How far out should I be trying to get my resume noticed? I really would like to work for TVA in Tennessee. Has anyone had any positive/negative experiences with TVA? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks for your time!

[Smooth Operator]

To become marketable for NLO, keep doing what you are doing and get out with a clean record.

To become marketable for SRO, ditto above, plus have EWS or EOOW, and the BS won't hurt.

[JustinHEMI05]

+1 for above, > 2 years EWS is key for instant SRO.

Also, most places won't look at your resume until within 90 days of separation.

Justin

[Preciousblue1965]

Good info, but also keep in mind that there REALLY are jobs for nuke outside of the Nuclear Operations arena.  PM me if you want info.

[volpej79]

 Don't limit yorself to just the possibility of an SRO position, in or outside of a power plant. I just separated from prototype and recieved offers as a nuclear instructor. Make sure you complete your MTS. QA is also very beneficial.

[LuckyKid]

+1 for above, > 2 years EWS is key for instant SRO.

Also, most places won't look at your resume until within 90 days of separation.

Justin

What's the reasoning behind the 90 day bit? This is the first time I've heard any such. (Not that I've been around long.)

[JustinHEMI05]

What's the reasoning behind the 90 day bit? This is the first time I've heard any such. (Not that I've been around long.)

Because they got sick of giving dudes offers only to have them re-enlist at the last minute. Its not a hardened rule... just a rule of thumb. Most places I called said "call me when you are about 3 months out."

Justin

[shayne]

EWS is a for sure qual to have.

Don't limit yourself to one or two facilities.  The timing (your EAOS and job opportunities) may not work out for you.

Almost any position that you are qualified for will open opportunities later *(foot in the door).  i.e.  Maintenance job, later you could apply for a NLO job when it opens. 

[trollarc]

I am within 90 days of getting out with a clean record. Due to circumstances beyond my control I do not believe they will allow me to qualify EWS. I am on here to try to find out who is hiring around the time i get out. I am an ET (I do not know how much rate matters) However I would prefer to do work that requires at least some physical activity as I get bored sitting around too much. Is NLO that type of work? How about SRO? I have read these forums for about a year before joining and I think I probably should have joined and asked questions earlier. Better late than never.

[IPREGEN]

get resume help, learn the BEI interview techniques anywhere on the net.

[mm1cabrera]

I am a 6 year out guy. Finishing up my first tour on a sub. Don't think I'll make it through EWS, but got LELT. Definitely get MTS (my replacement, the new LELT, got a job offer for 95K as an instructor but reenlisted because he was scared about job security, or at least that was the excuse he gave). MTS is big out there and so is EWS. I've determined that you will take a pay cut the first year or so as a 6YO guy, but with 3 years of prototype under your belt you will be fine. There was no way they would have given me the three year waiver to get off early to go to prototype, and raising the SRB was just not enough for me. So in October, when they raise SRB's again, I can deny them once more. You just can't place a price on happiness, you know? 

[Fermi2]

No one got a 95K Job offer as an instructor. He's pulling your leg.
Within two years of beig out you'll have made up any additional Navy Pay.
Also DO NOT take advice from someone who HAS NOT obtained a job in the civilian world. They're clueless.

[JustinHEMI05]

No one got a 95K Job offer as an instructor. He's pulling your leg.
Within two years of beig out you'll have made up any additional Navy Pay.
Also DO NOT take advice from someone who HAS NOT obtained a job in the civilian world. They're clueless.

+1.

Justin

[Pirate Bob]

Definitely get MTS (my replacement, the new LELT, got a job offer for 95K as an instructor but reenlisted because he was scared about job security, or at least that was the excuse he gave). MTS is big out there and so is EWS.

Forgive me for asking, but what is MTS?  I tried to look for it with the search function, but it didn't have any results.

[Gamecock]

Forgive me for asking, but what is MTS?  I tried to look for it with the search function, but it didn't have any results.

Master Training Specialist

You can earn that qual on shore duty as an instructor at Nuke School or Prototype.

[JsonD13]

My first year out of the Navy as a newly minted HP I made somewhere over 90K gross (keep in mind that was alot of OT and an outage year for a house mouse, base was more around 60K).  EWS doesnt matter that much if you have education to boot, IMHO.  Also, a college education can take you more places than EWS will (easier to translate what a degree means vs. EWS to those not familiar with Navy).

As long as you write a good resume, interview well, and dont be afraid to express that you have salary needs and what they are, you should make more money than what you did in the Navy.

Jason

[crusemm]

So to jump on the band wagon here, I am a navy chief MM, retiring in 7 months with 21 years in .  I Have 10 years as EWS and a BS from Thomas Edison (not trying to post a resume, just give some background info).  From reading the boards, the most recommended paths for people in my situation are applying for either an NLO job or Instant SRO.  I have read arguments in favor of both, with most of the "old hands" recommending going the NLO route.  I'm just wondering if I am interpreting this right or if anyone recommends another path to pursue.  Also, I am very interested in relocating to Texas if possible, however I have not seen NLO or SRO jobs posted on either Luminant/EFH or STPNOC  websites.  If anyone has any info about upcoming jobs at these sights, it would be greatly appreciated.

[retired nuke]

So to jump on the band wagon here, I am a navy chief MM, retiring in 7 months with 21 years in .  I Have 10 years as EWS and a BS from Thomas Edison (not trying to post a resume, just give some background info).  From reading the boards, the most recommended paths for people in my situation are applying for either an NLO job or Instant SRO.  I have read arguments in favor of both, with most of the "old hands" recommending going the NLO route.  I'm just wondering if I am interpreting this right or if anyone recommends another path to pursue.  Also, I am very interested in relocating to Texas if possible, however I have not seen NLO or SRO jobs posted on either Luminant/EFH or STPNOC  websites.  If anyone has any info about upcoming jobs at these sights, it would be greatly appreciated.

I recently went to a Region 1 OSHA VPP conference, and met a young lady that had been a 8 & out star baby. She was a shift supv at a co-gen. I asked her why she wasn't in nuclear, and she said she got lucky with the job, and was enjoying it immensely. It gave her more mobility than the limited number of nuclear plants, a wider range of work involvement (she was work planning supv, shift supv, maint supv, etc all in one). And no NRC / security to deal with.

Sometimes the nuclear experience can go fossil......it might get you closer to your desired living location...

[crusemm]

Thanks for the quick reply HouseDad.  Dose anyone know of a "clearinghouse" similar to this one for Non-Nuke energy jobs?  I'm not looking just for job listsings (though that would be nice) but also additional information.  Thanks 

[cubs86]

+1 for above, > 2 years EWS is key for instant SRO.

Also, most places won't look at your resume until within 90 days of separation.

Justin

The >2 years EWS for instand SRO, does that mean 2 years on an operational plant or just 2 years in the Navy after qualifying.  I qualified EWS about 4 months ago and my current PRD is in a year.  However, my boat won't be going to sea very much in the next year and I believe I'm going to someting other then Prototype.  Would I still have the >2 years EWS or not?

Thanks