Final Duty Station

[nefilim]

Greetings all, I'm new on this board, and plan on learning as much as I can about the outside industry in my last 4 years in the Navy.  I am Enlisted, a Chief Electrician's Mate, I've been in 16 years, and I'm getting ready to go down to Charleston to teach at Nuclear Power School.  I will obviously qualify Master Training Specialist while I'm down there, but my question is this:  as a 20 year Chief Electrician's Mate Nuke, (surface guy, qualified Watch Supervisor for 14 years, qualified Load Dispatcher for 16 years, been a Plant LCPO, and Reactor Electrical LCPO) how difficult is it to get a job getting out that has a starting salary AFTER TAXES comparable to what a Chief makes in the Navy?  I have a lot of interests, in supervising maintenance, training, developing schedules, performing maintenance, even operations.  By the time I get out, I'll have my TESC degree, and be at least a few classes toward a Masters in Business Administration.  And, I always used to hear about nukes getting out and having to fight off prospective employers.  I'm not hearing that quite as much anymore.  Is there anything else I can do in my last 4 years at Power School to increase my chances of getting a decent job on the 'outside'?  Thanks in advance for all the advice, and I look forward to helping out anyone who has any questions about the Nuclear Navy.

[co60slr]

...how difficult is it to get a job getting out that has a starting salary AFTER TAXES comparable to what a Chief makes in the Navy?

I have a lot of interests, in supervising maintenance, training, developing schedules, performing maintenance, even operations. 

...TESC degree, and be at least a few classes toward a Masters in Business Administration. 

And, I always used to hear about nukes getting out and having to fight off prospective employers.  I'm not hearing that quite as much anymore. 

Is there anything else I can do in my last 4 years at Power School to increase my chances of getting a decent job on the 'outside'? 

One thing for potential ex-NNPP to consider is:  how do you plan on transitioning into commercial training/operations without knowing how a commercial plant works?  A: SRO Cert, SRO License (i.e., going through nuke school part II)

I've seen emails for a certain company in GA (ground-breaking AP1000), who's sending out emails to ex-Navy Nukes to SRO Cert and become an instructor.  (Yes, looking for MTS).  I'm not sure about the salary.  Most training managers seem to be looking for previously licensed SROs; however, I don't know many SROs that want to take a pay cut.  Therefore, some companies hire/train as needed.

Your salary question is dependent upon your geographic location.  The Stay Navy website has a nice calculator for you to use as a starting point for what you need to negotiate during your interviews; however, you then need to factor in local taxes for where you're looking.  GA may have a better cost of living (e.g., lower taxes); however, those regions usually have lower starting salaries.   Also, cost of living is different so one needs to use an online cost of living calculator to see how far your $75K will go in GA as compared to NJ.  In short, it's hard to answer your question, but yes...most take a pay raise when they retire into commercial nuclear.  Given the loss of the military federal tax advantage and the addition of state taxes, the differences in take-home pay can be significant.  As I've discussed in other threads...I used a MS Excel spreadsheet to compare my offers/locations.   

I think the answer (especially at 4 years out) to your overall concerns are to start networking.  You'll not only start hearing that yes...we ex-Navy Nukes are getting plenty of job offers, but also get plugged in to potential future employers.   At TAP they'll tell you that many get their jobs through networking and I think they're 90% correct for myself and the people I transitioned with in 2009.   

There's debate about the worthiness of a TESC (non-ABET technical degree).  Some companies accept it, others don't.   Just like everything else just do your homework. You're wise to continue with graduate work...it shows initiative.   The degrees may not pay off initially (e.g., SRO cert or training); however, they will later on in your career.  Eventually you'll promote to a position that required a technical/advanced degree.

Co60   

[DDMurray]

I used CNN/money when comparing salary offers.  It gave a great breakdown of the value of your income.  For example an 80K salary in CT was worth about 74K compared to the average cost of living, while in TN it was worth something like 87K (these numbers are estimates).  The other big thing was property tax rate.  My rate in TN is 5-6 times less than what I would have paid in the NE. 

I retired as an E-9.  Our family total overall pay went down because my wife took a big pay cut and my income from the civilian job plus retirement did not offset the total lost wages.  However, once I get my license, I will have more than made up for it.   Other than that, Co-60's advice is spot on.

Enjoy NNPTC!

[nefilim]

Gentlemen,
Thank you much for your assistance.  Pretty much what I was expecting.  The only thing I'm throwing around in my head is that I'm thinking that instead of working on a graduate degree, I should get a second bachelors in an ABET accredited school.  As far as the pay raise/pay cut, really, I'm just looking at not significantly changing my standard of living once I get out of the Navy, and putting all my retirement from the Navy in a retirement account.  Location doesn't matter, I would be willing to live pretty much anywhere, which, from what I understand, will help me out in finding a decent job.
Thanks again for the words of wisdom, and yeah, I'll DEFINITELY enjoy shore duty!!

[co60slr]

I'm thinking that instead of working on a graduate degree, I should get a second bachelors in an ABET accredited school. 

Why not get an ABET, full engineering master's degree?

MSEM, MSSE in 16 credits: 

http://www.smu.edu/Lyle/Departments/EMIS.aspx

Co60

[MMM]

Co60,
I'm actually in a similar situation to OP, but going to NPTU before retiring. Thanks for the reference for the engineering master's degree.

[MMM]

I just remembered why I didn't go for engineering. I didn't want to pay the extra $1000 per class for my classes and then buy books.

[JsonD13]

<----got the SMU MSEM degree while a SPU (now lovin life out of the Navy).  Got any questions, just ask....I'm sure stuff has changed a lil bit since 06 though.

[MMM]

OK, here's my question, which may have already been answered somewhere. Is a Master's degree in engineering, most likely Engineering Management or Mech Eng, that much better than an MBA, specialising in project management? My concern is I will either use up my GI Bill on the top-up program (I was planning on letting my wife use it when I get out) or pay about $1000 per class for the master's degree.

[Gamecock]

OK, here's my question, which may have already been answered somewhere. Is a Master's degree in engineering, most likely Engineering Management or Mech Eng, that much better than an MBA, specialising in project management? My concern is I will either use up my GI Bill on the top-up program (I was planning on letting my wife use it when I get out) or pay about $1000 per class for the master's degree.

Masters of Engineering Management is not equal to MBA.

Note also that a Masters of Engineering Management is a non-technical masters, and is therefore not on par with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering.

Cheers,
GC

[MMM]

What I was asking, probably very poorly, if I had to choose one to get before I get out in 4 years, which would be more beneficial for staying in the nuke field?

[co60slr]

What I was asking, probably very poorly, if I had to choose one to get before I get out in 4 years, which would be more beneficial for staying in the nuke field?

SMU.
MSEM.  Not a technical degree.  It does contain many finance options..."engineering MBA"?...not quite.
MS Systems Engineering.  Technical degree. 
SMU has a program for you to get both MSEM/MSSE degrees with 16 classes.

As posted at length in other threads, the TESC degree is NOT a "engineering degree".  SMU allows such grads to continue self-improvement and "finish the job" per se at their Engineering School.  If you want a technical, full engineering degree on your resume as a TESC grad, then SMU is one good solution.

If you already have an engineering degree and want to learn CIVLANT business concepts before you leave and get an executive management job at a corporate nuclear utility, then perhaps the MBA is your route.

In my limited experience so far, potential job interviewers have just two questions:
1.  Do you have a TECHNICAL undergraduate degree?  (TESC = Yes at many places, Excelsior = yes at more).
2.  Do you have any graduate level work?

My vote is to do what interests you.  With any grad work on your resume,  you can't go wrong!

Co60