Please help/Questions on Security/Hiring

[cfranzel]

Hello, I do understand I may receive alot of criticism from this. But I indeed really need to know and get some good answers.
So Thankyou in advance.
I have been an Aviation for almost 20 years with an A&P and IA. I still have both certificates. Due to the declining Aviation industry I am considering changing careers. I do have an excellent work history. I have looked into a new Energy certificate from one of the local colleges for Nuclear plants. I am sincerely interested in doing this but honestly don't want to endeavor into something I have no chance of succeeding at.
Here is the problem I may have had 1 DUI about 3 years ago and an OWI about 6 months ago. My record is clear of any other violations as I have never gotton into any other trouble in my life. I do know I made mistakes in the past and have deep serious regrets from them. I have taken action to correct those and never let them happen again.

If I do attend the training it will be approx 2 years before I graduated from it and obtained a certificate.

Do I even stand a chance of getting into a Nuclear Plant with my past record?

Thankyou

[Fermi2]

I doubt it, you'd be competing with about 345697 candidates who can control their drinking. Why take a chance on a drunkard when I can hire someone without the baggage?

Mike

[HydroDave63]

Here is the problem I may have had 1 DUI about 3 years ago and an OWI about 6 months ago.

Do I even stand a chance of getting into a Nuclear Plant with my past record?

Since they are so current and close together, I'd have to concur with BZ that, while the Access Authorization folks could do the paperwork and high-level signoffs to grant unescorted access, without some sort of nuclear superstar experience the chances are down in the Source Range. Plan on it not happening.

The 2 year Energy certificate (Bismarck State's program is highly regarded) won't necessarily cinch getting an electric utility job [notice I didn't say nuclear] but it will at least meet some of the prerequisites for applying for an Apprenticeship program. A Process Plant cert or Power Plant Operations cert. is another angle to try for getting into a steam or combustion turbine plant operator job.

If you are willing to start entry-level [anything nuclear, management or in a clean air-conditioned office is far off just yet] , then the Energy cert. would eventually pay off.

[cfranzel]

As I said in my initial post. I expected some less than productive comments and do appreciate the honest professional answers I have received so far. Any of the information I can get would be greatly useful. I would be using the Career change to stay in the Mich area to be here for my children.
Can anyone tell me if they look at rehab AA and anything else that could be taking into consideration for getting in?

Thanks again

[dirac]

Not a chance. Sorry man, the rehab/AA thing just wouldn't fly. There is simple way to much competition out there and way to strict regulations. Even if you were employed - 1 DUI meant you lost your access and were pushing paper somewhere offsite for at least least three months - a second means your probably out of a job.

[co60slr]

As I said in my initial post. I expected some less than productive comments and do appreciate the honest professional answers I have received so far. Any of the information I can get would be greatly useful. I would be using the Career change to stay in the Mich area to be here for my children.
Can anyone tell me if they look at rehab AA and anything else that could be taking into consideration for getting in?

I've been reading these various "I have a criminal record but I'm still trying to get into a Nuclear Program" threads for some time with a bit of amazement.   No one here is going to be able to give you "productive comments" (i.e., something that helps a nuclear HR rep ignore your criminal record).   The nuclear industry is not going to care about your personal desires to stay in MI, as noble as they are as a "family man".

Assume you're going up against 10 other applicants that have clear records and then they look at yours.   What argument can you present to encourage someone to hire you into a highly complex/technical field with a criminal record?   What would you do in the hiring manager's position?  Is it impossible?  Probably not.  Unlikely?  Probably.   Are you currently in an alcohol treatment program?   Then you have zero chance, I'd guess.  Should you try...sure, but I think everyone here is trying to tell you to not get your hopes up.   I'd have a "Plan B" if I were you.

This should be the case with any job, organization, industry that requires a security clearance.  This isn't about a particular plant bending the rules, it's about your "demonstrated reliability".   DWI 6 months ago?   You have your own answer in front of you.  Sorry.

Good luck.

co60

[Arpydave]

Here is the problem I may have had 1 DUI about 3 years ago and an OWI about 6 months ago. My record is clear of any other violations as I have never gotton into any other trouble in my life. I do know I made mistakes in the past and have deep serious regrets from them. I have taken action to correct those and never let them happen again.

If I do attend the training it will be approx 2 years before I graduated from it and obtained a certificate.

Do I even stand a chance of getting into a Nuclear Plant with my past record?

Thankyou

Let's do the math here:  DUI 3 yrs. ago minus OWI 6 mo. ago = 2 1/2 years = about the time you finish training (2 yrs.) you'll be due for another.  Unless, UNLESS, you pull one sooner.

Since you'd be straight in off the street to the industry, those 2 years better not even have a "Suspicion of Flicking Boogers" violation.

[namlive]

Hello, I do understand I may receive alto of criticism from this. But I indeed really need to know and get some good answers.
So Thankyou in advance.
I have been an Aviation for almost 20 years with an A&P and IA. I still have both certificates. Due to the declining Aviation industry I am considering changing careers. I do have an excellent work history. I have looked into a new Energy certificate from one of the local colleges for Nuclear plants. I am sincerely interested in doing this but honestly don't want to endeavor into something I have no chance of succeeding at.
Here is the problem I may have had 1 DUI about 3 years ago and an OWI about 6 months ago. My record is clear of any other violations as I have never gotton into any other trouble in my life. I do know I made mistakes in the past and have deep serious regrets from them. I have taken action to correct those and never let them happen again.

If I do attend the training it will be approx 2 years before I graduated from it and obtained a certificate.

Do I even stand a chance of getting into a Nuclear Plant with my past record?

Thankyou

They problem I see is not so much the DUI problem, but your age. There is a youth movement going on in Nuclear as us old geezers are moving on. If you were a young drunk instead of an old one...
If it is what you want to do, I say go for it. The industry is not filled with paragons of virtue as some moderators seem to portray. I work with people who have done hard time, had multiple DUIs, drug users, and some are even Mormons.


Edited to remove prejudice statement.

[cfranzel]

Thankyou for all the responses. That is exactly what I am looking for. The suggestion of a "chance".I do intend on pursuing this and am successful at all I endeavor into. I just did want want to pursue something that I had absolutely no chance at succeeding at. To all those with the apprehension of "getting another one". Well i do know for myself it will not happen. I know its easily said and heard and often falls on deaf ears. But I have learned from my mistakes and will not live the past. I have been successful in my Aviation career for almost 20 yrs, served in the Air Force and have never ever been drunk, drinking or therefore accused of at work. My work ethics are and always have been to a very high standard and will maintain that. Did I make other bad choices or decisions? Yes. But they are being corrected everyday. If we cant learn from our mistakes than what do have to learn by?
Thankyou once again

[Arpydave]

To all those with the apprehension of "getting another one". Well i do know for myself it will not happen. I know its easily said and heard and often falls on deaf ears. But I have learned from my mistakes and will not live the past.



I have been successful in my Aviation career for almost 20 yrs, served in the Air Force and have never ever been drunk, drinking or therefore accused of at work. My work ethics are and always have been to a very high standard and will maintain that. Did I make other bad choices or decisions? Yes. But they are being corrected everyday. If we cant learn from our mistakes than what do have to learn by?
Thankyou once again

Please note that my "apprehension" was sent mainly for you to take an objective look at what's going on for you.  I appreciate that you viewed it as apprehension and not slamming the door in your face.  But do realize that it also conveys that it will follow you for many years.

I do not know your particular job in the aviation industry, but as they say around here, "Nuclear is different."  In this field you will be asked told on very short notice to work over, come in early, and/or get called in out of the blue.  I'm not saying you don't have a license, but if you don't boy will things get screwy.  Your carpool ride will get frustrated sitting out in his car waiting for you while your working over to finish out some task with no idea of how long it will take.  And in many places your wife/girlfriend/daughter won't be allowed inside the gate to pick you up.  I've driven several people to/from work, it gets to be a drag quickly.

Did the drinking issues spill over into your work?  Of course they did.  You needed time off to go to Court, your gears were turning on how to pay the lawyer and legal fees without impacting the family, and (as others more familiar with your industry have pointed out) the impact on any security clearance.  This is where some of the other posters are coming from; they don't want to inherit your baggage.

Can you learn from your mistakes? I think you can.  Will this be a freshly paved, smooth chunk of highway?  Unfortunately not.

Just being honest; blow your nose and don't flick them boogers.