Author Topic: Engineer or Operator (Read 25191 times)

JenSHO · « **on:** Sep 14, 2009, 04:16 »

I've been lurking here for a while reading up on everying. I desparately want to get into nuclear power. I already have a BS in Industrial Engineering and have E.I. registration in the state of Ohio (passed the Fundementals of Engineering test). I don't have any experience. I have applied to several positions with nuke power companies (example: USEC) that didn't seem to require a Nuke engineering degree, just said "engineering" degree. Has anyone here been able to break into the nuke industrial with this type of degree?

Outside of the miracle of me actually getting called for one of these jobs, here is my thinking about how I can get into nuke...

1. Obtain a M.S. in Nuke Engineering (hopefully at OSU)
2. Try to get into Navy Nuke Reator Engineering (from what I hear, long shot)
3. Try to just get an entry level operator job, I'm pretty sure I can pass the POSS or other exams needed
4. Go to the community college here and a get an associates in Nuclear Medicine Technology

Which of these paths seems most feasible to everyone? Also,, as I will have to get a loan for any future education that I will need to get, which one of these pathways will most likely net the most income in the long run?

Thanks.....

JenSHO · « **Reply #1 on:** Sep 14, 2009, 04:29 »

Also, I've been looking at Bartlett's Fall Outage schedule. Do they ever accept people that have technical education but zippo in the experience department? I don't need to worry about having a permanent job right now, I have 6 months of unemployment coming my way, so a 3-7 week position would be great for me. I have no family to take care of so I can travel alot. Would this be a good thing for me to do?

formerET1Han · « **Reply #2 on:** Sep 14, 2009, 06:28 »

With what you've thrown out there, what I would do is apply to Operations as well. It's not terribly pleasant work all the time - shift work, working outside, etc, but you will get time around a plant and that counts for loads and the pay's not bad. Trust me when I say that a little experience goes a long way. With your degree, that should not be a problem, I would think. Most operators (non licensed types) are high school graduates with a little extra education (associates or so) or other industrial experience (chemical plants, Navy Nuke). If I was the one hiring, I'd place a full on 4 year degree level with a Navy Nuke.

Becoming a nuclear officer in the Navy is actually pretty easy, especially since you already have your degree. You should be able to go the officer recruiter and be off to OCS and Power school pretty quick like. I don't actually know anyone who did that because usually the Navy foots the bill for school. That path would virtually guarantee a job at a power plant in the future, but that would be years away (like 5 or 6 with Power school, Prototype, first tour, maybe shore duty, etc).

JenSHO · « **Reply #3 on:** Sep 14, 2009, 07:07 »

Well, I am too old to do regular duty in the Navy. It would have to be as one of the reator engineers that work in DC. I thought that was relatively difficult to get into, with having to have the interview and everything....

JustinHEMI05 · « **Reply #4 on:** Sep 14, 2009, 08:41 »

Option 3. The sky is the limit.

Justin

Smooth Operator · « **Reply #5 on:** Sep 15, 2009, 02:58 »

Option 3.

Of the choices you listed, you will learn the plant, make more money than an Engineer, and then when and if you move to Engineering you will have street cred.

Jason

co60slr · « **Reply #6 on:** Sep 15, 2009, 07:36 »

Quote from: JenSHO on Sep 14, 2009, 04:16

I've been lurking here for a while reading up on everying. I desparately want to get into nuclear power. I already have a BS in Industrial Engineering and have E.I. registration in the state of Ohio (passed the Fundementals of Engineering test). I don't have any experience. I have applied to several positions with nuke power companies (example: USEC) that didn't seem to require a Nuke engineering degree, just said "engineering" degree. Has anyone here been able to break into the nuke industrial with this type of degree?

Outside of the miracle of me actually getting called for one of these jobs, here is my thinking about how I can get into nuke...

1. Obtain a M.S. in Nuke Engineering (hopefully at OSU)
2. Try to get into Navy Nuke Reator Engineering (from what I hear, long shot)
3. Try to just get an entry level operator job, I'm pretty sure I can pass the POSS or other exams needed
4. Go to the community college here and a get an associates in Nuclear Medicine Technology

5. Look outside of OH? Who has turned you down?

merchantg · « **Reply #7 on:** Sep 16, 2009, 08:26 »

I WAS going to get a M.S. in NE but after spending a large amount of time surfing through forums I discovered something. People who never agree seem to all agree don't get a M.S. in NE, it is too specific. It will limit your choices in and out of the Nuke world. This made a ton of sense to me, my wife had way too specific of a degree and it narrowed her choices down to only one hiring body in the country (ouch). It is an extreme case but a good example for me.

I was prior Navy Nuke though so it also seems like it would be better for me to not get a degree in something that my experience is already good for. As far as hiring goes.

I hope this helps a little.

JenSHO · « **Reply #8 on:** Sep 17, 2009, 06:57 »

Is there anything that I can be doing that will help me land an operator job? Is there some kind of certification test that I can take? A class I can take? Will I even have a chance at an operator job? I don't ever find any job postings that don't require lots of experience.

JenSHO · « **Reply #9 on:** Sep 18, 2009, 11:11 »

Also, how do I get "selected" to take one of those POSS exams. Do I already have to have been offered a job?

Nuclear NASCAR · « **Reply #10 on:** Sep 18, 2009, 12:04 »

The POSS is a screening exam. If you don't pass the POSS you don't get a job offer.

JenSHO · « **Reply #11 on:** Sep 21, 2009, 09:09 »

Is there a place that I can go and sign up to take the exam?

Nuclear NASCAR · « **Reply #12 on:** Sep 21, 2009, 09:55 »

You'll get invited to take the exam as part of the hiring process. Most companies don't share the results with each other, though some of the larger companies (Exelon, Entergy, etc..) do share the results internally.

There's quite a bit of good information here: http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/board,250.0.html

Best of luck, don't hesitate to keep asking questions, and Welcome to Nukeworker!

Tom

Jeff J · « **Reply #13 on:** Sep 22, 2009, 09:03 »

Engineer or Operator? With an engineering degree, I would recommend engineer. You do not need a nuclear degree (and you definitely do not need a masters). Apply for a job at a utility as a system engineer. Being a system engineer is much more challenging than being an operator. Entry level operators mop the floor and do laundry (the job gets better, but that is where you start).

Nuclear NASCAR · « **Reply #14 on:** Sep 22, 2009, 09:35 »

Quote from: Jeff J on Sep 22, 2009, 09:03

......Being a system engineer is much more challenging than being an operator. Entry level operators mop the floor and do laundry (the job gets better, but that is where you start).

Not sure where you're at but operators don't usually mop the floor or do laundry and a plant. As to the challenging part, that is more based on personality than job.(Doing vs. figuring)

Jeff J · « **Reply #15 on:** Sep 22, 2009, 10:24 »

An operator candidiate awaiting the start of the next operator training class will typically do housekeeping type tasks in addition to becoming familiar with the plant. Operators are great and people who mop the floors are great, but the original poster has a degree in industrial engineering and obviously likes challenge. For these reasons, the OP perfectly fits the qualifications required to be a systems engineer or a component engineer at a plant. Specifically, mechanical (NSSS or BOP) systems. I think the OP will succeed no matter which way he/she goes.

M1Ark · « **Reply #16 on:** Sep 22, 2009, 10:48 »

I hold entry level operators in higher regard than entry level engineers. It takes an entry level engineer 3 to 5 years before he/she even knows what is going on. By then the entry level operator has an RO license. Another 3 to 5 years that same engineer will be a senior engineer... still not in charge of anyone. On the other hand the operator will be an SRO/SM. Jeff, don't compare yourself to an entry level operator. Compare yourself to an operator with the same amount of years at your plant and see who has the more challenging job, higher pay and more authority.

thenuttyneutron · « **Reply #17 on:** Sep 22, 2009, 11:19 »

Quote from: M1Ark on Sep 22, 2009, 10:48

I hold entry level operators in higher regard than entry level engineers. It takes an entry level engineer 3 to 5 years before he/she even knows what is going on. By then the entry level operator has an RO license. Another 3 to 5 years that same engineer will be a senior engineer... still not in charge of anyone. On the other hand the operator will be an SRO/SM. Jeff, don't compare yourself to an entry level operator. Compare yourself to an operator with the same amount of years at your plant and see who has the more challenging job, higher pay and more authority.

I agree 100%. Operators know the plant better. I also know that I am making more coin as a Reactor Operator than an engineer. There are other things to consider. Working a rotating 12 hour shift is hard on the body.

Operators respond to problems and the engineers are supposed to come up with a fix. Usually I have seen the operators come up with a fix called a workaround. These are nothing more than using plant procedures to manually control a malfunctioning piece of equipment without changing the design of the system. I.E. a blowdown line off the air system is not working so operators must manually blow down the low points of the system.

spentfuel · « **Reply #18 on:** Sep 23, 2009, 01:34 »

Quote from: JenSHO on Sep 17, 2009, 06:57

Is there anything that I can be doing that will help me land an operator job? Is there some kind of certification test that I can take? A class I can take? Will I even have a chance at an operator job? I don't ever find any job postings that don't require lots of experience.

Look up Duke Energy's web site or go here

http://www.duke-energy.com/residential.asp

If you don't mind moving south they are Hiring for all three sites and if you have an engineering background I think they would take a look at you at a minimum

GL

sf

JenSHO · « **Reply #19 on:** Sep 25, 2009, 04:23 »

Thanks for all the great advice. Nuclear NASCAR (I love NASCAR also) said to keep asking questions. He may regret that because I can come up with A LOT of them.

More Questions:
1.   I did apply to the operator position at Duke Energy. Does anyone know anything about their hiring processes? I see the job will be posted on the web site until the end of December. Do they not start calling people until after the posting has been taken down?
2.   They have 3 sites listed. On job posts like this, how many total people are they looking to hire?
3.   I know that legally that a company would never have sexist hiring practices, but in all honesty, how many females do these companies actually hire as operators?
4.   I also applied as a “Plant Assistant” at FirstEnergy for the Perry site. If I were to get that job, could I move to Operator from there?
5.   Realistically, is this the type of job I have to know someone to get? I don’t want this to sound badly, but the qualifications seem to be so low that I would think that tens of thousands of people would be applying for these jobs. Or in other words, any of you operators out there, on average how many companies will I have to apply to before I would possibly get an offer?
6.   Does Duke (or other energy companies) give preferential status to people who already live near the plant? I would love to leave Ohio winters, and I would gladly pay my own relocation. I have no husband or children, I can move very quickly.
7.   I already have E.I.T. certification. I have seen some SRO job postings that say they require an engineering degree and a PE. I would definitely love to get my PE one day, is that something advantageous for an operator?
8.   I have decided to take one graduate course this quarter. I am taking Radiological Safety. Will having this class be helpful in finding an operator job, or am I kind of wasting my time/money? Funny, one of the suggested readings on the syllabus is the Moe text that is on nukeworker.com.
9.   What other resources should I utilize to find places that are hiring operators? I went to the NRC site and looked the list of running plants and looked at what company is listed as operating them. Is that a good place to start?
10.   Does Duke look for operators all through the year, or do they just only do this “fall job posting-spring start” cycle?
11.   How hard would it be for me to move from an operator position to an engineering position, if that is what I wanted?
Wow, that was a lot of questions, sorry! But I really want to get one of these jobs, they sound like they would fit my personality very well, and I like the idea of passing tests and getting new certifications.
Oh, one more thing, -Co60Slr- I’m definitely looking outside of Ohio. I did apply to an engineer job at USEC, but I haven’t heard anything back from them.

Again, thanks for all the great advice! And thanks for humoring me with all my questioning.

Jeff J · « **Reply #20 on:** Sep 25, 2009, 05:18 »

I personally think you are over qualified to be an operator. You will use very little of what you learned in school as an operator. To answer just a few of your questions - a PE would not be useful to an operator (the EIT will not be useful either). Grad courses will not in general help you land an operator job, but Rad Safety will look impressive on the resume. As for other resources, all the utilities have web sites where they post all their jobs. You are on the right track by going to the NRC website to find the utility names. And yes, you can move from ops to engineering (or vice versa) later in your career.

x633ro · « **Reply #21 on:** Sep 25, 2009, 05:26 »

Progress energy is hiring AO's and instant SRO's for the Robinson plant. we try to hire about 1/3 ex-Navy and the rest degreed engineers for our AO classes

Fermi2 · « **Reply #22 on:** Sep 25, 2009, 05:51 »

Quote from: Jeff J on Sep 25, 2009, 05:18

I personally think you are over qualified to be an operator. You will use very little of what you learned in school as an operator. To answer just a few of your questions - a PE would not be useful to an operator (the EIT will not be useful either). Grad courses will not in general help you land an operator job, but Rad Safety will look impressive on the resume. As for other resources, all the utilities have web sites where they post all their jobs. You are on the right track by going to the NRC website to find the utility names. And yes, you can move from ops to engineering (or vice versa) later in your career.

And what is your qualification that allows you to decide if anyone is qualified to be an Operator?

JenSHO · « **Reply #23 on:** Sep 25, 2009, 06:43 »

x633ro - that's funny! I just completed the Progress AO application online.

**fingers crossed** I don't think I would be qualified for the SRO position, though, having no experience and all

Smooth Operator · « **Reply #24 on:** Sep 25, 2009, 08:41 »

Quote from: Broadzilla on Sep 25, 2009, 05:51

And what is your qualification that allows you to decide if anyone is qualified to be an Operator?

Obviosly Broad, JeffJ was talking out his pooper....

We have plenty of Engineers at my plant who are operators, and some now are in ILT to be ROs and SROs. Problem is that many people associate NLOs/AUOs/EOs with low on the totem pole ideology when the reality is that an NLO is a combination Test Engineer, Operator, Field Engineer, and Electrical Tech all at the same time.

As far as I am concerned, not too many people can be a good NLO. It takes brains, stamina, and patience.

An Engineer with an NLO background can become a valuable commodity to a company.

HydroDave63 · « **Reply #25 on:** Sep 25, 2009, 09:44 »

Quote from: Jeff J on Sep 22, 2009, 09:03

Engineer or Operator? With an engineering degree, I would recommend engineer. You do not need a nuclear degree (and you definitely do not need a masters). Apply for a job at a utility as a system engineer. Being a system engineer is much more challenging than being an operator. Entry level operators mop the floor and do laundry (the job gets better, but that is where you start).

Quote from: Jeff J on Sep 23, 2009, 08:59

I failed out in week 26 of prototype. What I did was to put it on my resume as "naval nuclear training" for the 24 or 26 week time span. At the interview I answered all my questions based on my experience in the conventional navy (in deck division).

This, gentlemen, is what psychologists call "transference" and "projection". http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_transference_and_projection

I've never seen a plant where new hire NLOs are doing laundry or mopping....

Smooth Operator · « **Reply #26 on:** Sep 26, 2009, 02:23 »

Before we classed up this is what my NLO class did:

1. Procedure revs under the guidance of the writers
2. Fire Extinguisher PMs with the vendor
3. Followed EOs on rounds
4. Walked Down systems
5. Fire Hose swap outs

no mopping, no laundry, no boy work, just stuff at a low level that we would eventually see at a higher level of involvement.

retired nuke · « **Reply #27 on:** Sep 26, 2009, 10:38 »

Quote from: Jason K on Sep 26, 2009, 02:23

Before we classed up this is what my NLO class did:

1. Procedure revs under the guidance of the writers
2. Fire Extinguisher PMs with the vendor
3. Followed EOs on rounds
4. Walked Down systems
5. Fire Hose swap outs

no mopping, no laundry, no boy work, just stuff at a low level that we would eventually see at a higher level of involvement.

We just trained some of the pre-class NLOs here in confined space rescue, fire watch, FME watch in prep for our spring outage. The +delta for this - now we will have Ops involved more in these functions.... no mopping floors, no hauling trash - NLOs will be able to hit the ground running even before completing OPS training...

MeterSwangin · « **Reply #28 on:** Sep 26, 2009, 01:20 »

Quote from: Jeff J on Sep 22, 2009, 09:03

Entry level operators mop the floor and do laundry (the job gets better, but that is where you start).

What? Nonsense.

Start in the turbine plant, move up to radwaste and auxilliaries, graduate to the primary plant, then live in the control room. Retire with bags under the eyes, 3 divorces, and a collection of motorcycles and handguns. Die young.

Fermi2 · « **Reply #29 on:** Sep 26, 2009, 01:29 »

LOL so he has no qualifications whatsoever to speak on the subject. I've yet to see a plant where entry level operators mop floors or do laundry. Heck at TVA it takes roughly 2 years to get them through school and fully qualified and they definitely don't mop floors. I'd say JeffJ is a cdeconner except they don't just mop floors, they do a LOT of valuable inside stuff that unfortunately much of Plant Management doesn't see.

If JeffJ is an Operator I'd like to know at what plant and the position he fills.

"Quote from: Jeff J on Sep 22, 2009, 09:03
Engineer or Operator? With an engineering degree, I would recommend engineer. You do not need a nuclear degree (and you definitely do not need a masters). Apply for a job at a utility as a system engineer. Being a system engineer is much more challenging than being an operator. Entry level operators mop the floor and do laundry (the job gets better, but that is where you start).

Quote from: Jeff J on Sep 23, 2009, 08:59
I failed out in week 26 of prototype. What I did was to put it on my resume as "naval nuclear training" for the 24 or 26 week time span. At the interview I answered all my questions based on my experience in the conventional navy (in deck division). "

Just classic LOL.

Mike

Jeff J · « **Reply #30 on:** Sep 28, 2009, 10:01 »

I apologize if I offended anyone. I never have been good with email communication - it always seems to get me in trouble. I will choose my words more carefully. I am a NOOB.

I was in the original poster's shoes 15 years ago - trying to decide between engineer and operator. I had a 4 year degree and an EIT and no real experience to speak of and I desperately wanted to get in to nuclear too. I applied for a job as an operator helper (waiting in the pipeline for the next NLO class). One of the engineering supervisors at the same plant saw my application and offered me a job as a system engineer. He told me the helpers do some floor mopping and laundry while waiting for class to start. I took the system engineer job and I was pretty happy with it. There were times that I wish I had gone the other way, but I still think both choices are good ones.

Jeff

JenSHO · « **Reply #31 on:** Sep 28, 2009, 07:30 »

Cool... ok, to get back on topic, I applied to First Energy, Progress Energy, and Duke Energy. Does anyone have any other company suggestions? Also, any female operators lurking around here?

thenuttyneutron · « **Reply #32 on:** Sep 28, 2009, 08:50 »

Jensho,

Check you email. The only thing I can say about a shift worker is the stressful life. Make sure you have a spouse that is supportive of you. You will feel like crap on the days that you rotate schedules. You will need them to be supportive and understand the pain you go though everytime you roll off midnights.

JenSHO · « **Reply #33 on:** Sep 28, 2009, 11:48 »

Don't have a spouse or kids so i'm golden there!

Evilpixie · « **Reply #34 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 02:35 »

I work out at Diablo Canyon (California) and we have a fair amount of female operators. Actually, my director (I'm an engineer) started out in Ops and went on to get her SRO license. She then moved to some supervisory positions, then manager in engineering and has been my director for the past year or so. We have some other females who have also followed the same sort of path.

I'm assuming that other plants are like mine in that if you have the intelligence, an eager mind and a positive attitude and request opportunities to expand your experience and knowledge, you will be given chances to do so.

My experience here and at other plants (where I worked in Radiation Protection) is that a willingness to take on any job, no matter how dirty or onerous, just for the experience causes you to stand out so that when the more sought after jobs are being handed out, you are thought of first.

Diablo really likes their female operators and engineers and I believe that is true industry-wide? Could be wrong on that. Mostly I think management likes peops who work hard and take pride in their job.

As to being an operator vs. engineer: You would get in easier initially as an operator. Operators are in higher demand than engineers, if only for the fact that a plant has more operators than engineers. And operators do shift work; engineers in general do not. Plus, once you get in, you can move to engineering- if you wanted- with experience as an operator and degree, you'd be in a really good place.

Our general hiring process for operators- You send in an application/resume and then they'd have you come in for some tests- I know one is POSS, at least. Usually the test is given en masse; they rent out a conference room and all applicants they like show up. The one time I saw there was over 100 peops. If you pass the test, then you get interviewed. Out here they hire enough to fill an AO class and they all start at the same time... that's about fifteen-twenty peops.

Good luck! Oh, and I'm not sure if we are hiring right now or not... I can ask. I think we hire every year? Year and a half? Diablo doesn't have Ohio winters... Actually, it doesn't really have winter at all *wink, wink*!

JenSHO · « **Reply #35 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 11:12 »

Well, I would love it if I never saw another flake of snow again!

Thanks for letting me know that there are female operators out there!

JenSHO · « **Reply #36 on:** Oct 02, 2009, 03:58 »

I applied to the plant assitant job at the First Energy Perry site. I just got a letter saying that "due to an unexpected situation we will no longer be filling this position" It was called an Internal Cancellation" letter.

Did they really cancel the posting or is this their way of saying they don't want me? Anyone know this about FirstEnergy?

retired nuke · « **Reply #37 on:** Oct 02, 2009, 04:43 »

Quote from: JenSHO on Oct 02, 2009, 03:58

I applied to the plant assitant job at the First Energy Perry site. I just got a letter saying that "due to an unexpected situation we will no longer be filling this position" It was called an Internal Cancellation" letter.

Did they really cancel the posting or is this their way of saying they don't want me? Anyone know this about FirstEnergy?

Sounds like the economy...

Entergy is doing the same.

JenSHO · « **Reply #38 on:** Oct 11, 2009, 07:13 »

Anybody know what the "nuclear technician" position at the Waynesboro plant for Southern Company is? Can I move up to operator from there?

Neutron_Herder · « **Reply #39 on:** Oct 12, 2009, 10:27 »

I just asked that question the other day. It's over on another thread...

http://www.nukeworker.com/forum/index.php/topic,21765.0.html

Is that posting still up? I thought they pulled it down the other day...

Jay

JenSHO · « **Reply #40 on:** Oct 27, 2009, 02:36 »

Ok, so last week (wednesday 10/21) I took POSS/MASS-nuclear for the Nuclear Techinican in Augusta, GA for Plant Vogtle. Got myself all worried for nothing. Not bad at all. Called on Friday and found out that I passed.

Today I got a call from H.R. today asking me why I had applied for the position. I told her that I wanted to get into Nuclear power to eventually become a reactor operator. She basically said that I was way overqualified for the technician job. She asked if I had looked at any of engineering positions, which I had, but at the time all of the engineering posts required around 3 to 5 years experience. She said that she would forward my resume to their "hot license" department.
So basically, a rejection. She said she would forward my resume, but who knows where that would lead. Does anyone know what their "hot license" thing she was refering to is?
I seem to be between rock & a hard place. I have too much knowledge to get a job, but not enough experience to get a job. ARGGGGG!

x633ro · « **Reply #41 on:** Oct 27, 2009, 02:38 »

AKA Instant SRO

Neutron_Herder · « **Reply #42 on:** Oct 27, 2009, 02:56 »

The "hot license" that they were referring to is their direct SRO class. It's not posted as that though. It's something like Shift Supervisor in training. With no prior experience it would be like jumping into the deep end of the pool without knowing how to swim though. From what I've read on here there's a lot of people that have done the direct path, but I'm not sure if any of them went right into a license class without prior nuke experience.

You said previously you applied at Progress. Have you heard anything back from them? I think they're starting to go through their applicants for the AO positions in Hartsville.

Check out TVA's careers section. I believe they had some entry level engineering positions posted. Maybe something there would interest you.

JenSHO · « **Reply #43 on:** Oct 27, 2009, 03:03 »

I haven't heard anything back from Progress yet. I applied for their AO and also an entry level engineering position.
I'll look around for the people on these boards who have done the instant SRO. It sounds pretty scary to start of that way, but I think I could handle it if I worked very, very hard.

I am looking at the GFE info that NRC has put out. YEA! Looks like FUN! My fav classes in undergrad were thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. Heat transfer problems make me quiver (in a good way)!!!
I shouldn't read that stuff, it REALLY makes me want to be a SRO. I so want a job that I have to be constantly learning which is what it sounds like the NLO-RO-SRO path would be.

x633ro · « **Reply #44 on:** Oct 27, 2009, 06:52 »

GFES has nothing to do with being an SRO. More PGN positions should be opening in the next couple months

Creeker · « **Reply #45 on:** Oct 27, 2009, 11:51 »

Quote

GFES has nothing to do with being an SRO

Every license candidate has to successfully pass GFES. Including SROs.

Fermi2 · « **Reply #46 on:** Oct 28, 2009, 07:06 »

If you can't pass GFES you can't be an SRO.

Mike

x633ro · « **Reply #47 on:** Oct 28, 2009, 08:24 »

Quote from: Creeker on Oct 27, 2009, 11:51

Every license candidate has to successfully pass GFES. Including SROs.

Sorry, poorly stated. What I should have said was the ability to pass a GFES exam has absolutely no bearing on whether or not you will be a good SRO.

tr · « **Reply #48 on:** Oct 29, 2009, 06:01 »

JenSHO,

Have you looked into attending the upcoming ANS conference in Washington DC? There is a trade show, where all the various nuclear players (AREVA, Westinghouse, NRC, etc.) have booths. In the past few years there have been a lot of companies looking for engineer types there.

Also, most of the engineers at a nuclear plant are not "nuclear engineers," the engineer population pretty much reflects the engineering industry as a whole (typically lots of electrical, mechanical, and civil engineers, some nuclear engineers, and a scattering of other types such as chemical, marine, etc.).

To me personally, the biggest difference between being in engineering and ops is the lifestyle (shiftwork or not). Some people thrive on shift work and the chance for 7 days off at a time, others get beat senseless by the constant sleep changes.

While engineers typically don't make as much money as operators (less overtime, usually working under exempt payroll practices), the money is still enough to make a very good living (for example, the engineers in my department typically make 90K - 140K).

Author Topic: Engineer or Operator (Read 25191 times)

formerET1Han

JustinHEMI05

co60slr

M1Ark

thenuttyneutron

Fermi2

Fermi2

thenuttyneutron

Evilpixie

Fermi2