Any Chem Techs out there?

[bach13]

Hello all,

I am new to the nuclear plant world and just trying to understand the environment a bit more. I am being recruited for a chem tech position with Exelon. I just took the TECH test, and I am waiting to hear back how I did. Anyways, I wanted to know what to expect in terms of shift work, overtime, and what my responsibilities would be in the event of an outage. I am currently in a 9-5 salary job, so I know it will be quite an adjustment for me. But I'm guessing the bump in pay and opportunities for advancement would be really rewarding.

[tolstoy]

Good job with decent benefits. Likely to have plenty of hours during outages depending on the site you are working at. All cookie-cutter chemistry. Absolutely no interest in insight, modification, or experimental chemistry. Depending on the site you could wallow around at the bottom of the seniority list for a very long time. There are a lot worse ways to earn a paycheck.

[Papa Nuc]

Take it.

[hamsamich]

find out about "rotating shift work".  You might be required to do it.  If you have never done it before, you should give it a try if it is required.  Some people love it some hate it.  I hated it because it required me to switch from days to nights or nights to days twice a month, or more.  I felt groggy and sleep deprived for much of my life constantly changing shifts when I was on this.  Many places do it different ways.  Some have chem techs on days and a few are on rotating shift.  Some have their own rotation.  Some places bid on non-rotating shifts which change each quarter.  Like I said some people love it so you should probably give it a chance.

[bach13]

Thanks for all the responses. I guess I am a little nervous about the rotating shiftwork, but I am not sure yet how they do it. I'll just have to see if I get an interview and find out how often they rotate. I don't know how well I'll deal with it...I guess you can never know until you try it which is a little scary.