Need Career Advice (Navy)

[Quantum]

Hi, I'm about to finish my degree in NucE at Penn State. I love the subject, along with physics in general, and I pick up concepts easily. However, because I had to work through school since my Dad passed away my sophomore year, my GPA is pretty low. I never have time to do all my homework and studying along with work. My GPA will probably be around a 2.4 when I graduate in December.

After my last few classes that have been generally hands-on training for reactor loading patterns with Westinghouse, I have decided I want to join the Navy. I didn't particularly enjoy the work I did in my class with Westinghouse, I found it to be boring and time consuming. With my below-average GPA I doubt that I would get my pick of jobs after graduating. Besides, joining the Navy is something I've decided that I really want to do for a career, after a lot of thought.

I want to go into the Navy nuclear field for career, and I definately want to be an officer. However, since I'm already a senior, it's too late for NUPOC or ROTC. Also, with my low GPA, the recruiters told me that I would have marginal at best chance of directly getting into the nuclear officers program, so I am left with two choices:

Enlist in the nuclear side, or apply for OCS for a different field. I after talking to friends and reading here, I found that the general concensus is OFFICER, OFFICER, OFFICER! The chances of getting a commission after enlisting are slim, and I have much better chances of getting into the nuke officers side if I already am an officer in a different field.

After talking with the recruiter again, I decided I will probably apply for OCS with my choices being Nuke, SWO, Civil. I will apply until I get into at least some officer field. And then I will just work hard and see how it goes until I can request to switch over to the nuke field.

Even though I really want to be in the nuclear field, and especially on a submarine, what I've concluded is that I would be better off applying to OCS for SWO or Civil. Better to be in a higher paying position, that has a better chance of leading to my ultimate goal, rather then to enlist just to be in my field directly but having little chance of becoming a nuke officer.

So, I just wanted to ask you guys if you think my assment is wise, and if you have any other advice or comments. Thanks!

[jeepgirl1]

Hey,
Just to let you know, the Navy has a college loan repayment plan.  I know that Penn State is pretty expensive, most who go utilize some form of financial aid. 

The officer salary is nice, but if you owe a good bit in loans (>$40K), you might want to consider nuke enlisted.

Good luck getting into OCS.  I've heard from some that its tough going getting into Navy OCS these days.  With the economy the way it is, there are a lot of people vying for a limited number of slots.

[Already Gone]

Before you commit yourself for a number of years to the Navy, you should see what jobs are there in the civilian world.  After all, you already have a degree that is in some demand, ans it's paid for.  Most people go Navy to get the education on the goernment's dime.  Nuke enlisted will not add to your already existing skills.  You'd just be selling yourself cheap.  Officer pay might be better than enlisted, but nowhere near the pay of a muclear engineer in the civilian world.

I'm not saying don't do it.  I'm saying check out all your options before you make a big commitment.

Best of luck.

[Quantum]

Well I talked to the recruiter today, and he said that with my GPA my chances of getting into any officer field were slim to none, since the quotas were mostly full already and that they probably wouldn't even look at my application.

What kinds of jobs could I get in the civilian nuke sector right out of college? I've been looking at the job listings here but most of them require a lot of experience or DOE clearance or other training which I do not have.

I could always enlist in nuke, but I just don't want to do that if I don't have to, it's a last resort for me I think. So I need some help here, what kind of civilian jobs do you think I could get? Thanks.

[Roll Tide]

Commercial nukes hire right out of college. Consider OPS or engineering. Go to all the company websites you would be willing to work and check their vacancies regularly (I would recommend weekly).

PE isn't required for the entry-level positions, but there are some positions which it would be worthwhile. Make progress towards that, and it can compensate for the lower GPA. Once you prove yourself in commercial nukes, your GPA won't be an issue again.