Professional opinion

[Gamma_Gus]

So I've posted my background in previous topics but just in case here are my degrees, training and work experience.

A.S. Electrical Power Technology (Specialization - Instrumentation & Control)
A.S. Electronic Engineering Technology - Working on my B.S.

Received NUCP Certificate from the Nuclear Energy Institute
http://www.nei.org/Careers-Education/Education-Resources/Nuclear-Energy-Training-Education-Programs/Nuclear-Uniform-Curriculum-Program

Passed MASS, POSS and CAST exams

Taken some online courses with ISA (International Society of Automation) for calibration and process control - planning to do their boot camp by the end of the year.

Worked in Industrial/Commercial Construction for over 6 years.

Presently working St. Lucie outage as jr decon tech. I'm mostly doing it to get some "nuclear experience" and to keep my training/quals up to date.

What is your opinion about working outages as decon if I want to go into I&C; is it counter productive or am i on the right track?

Thanks

[retired nuke]

IMHO - counter productive - not even in the same food chain.

Try I&C contract companies - or robotics, process control, etc. Something non-nuke that uses the electronics skills would do you better than decon.

again, just my 

[Chimera]

I agree with HouseDad.  Work within your specialty - electronics - first.  Anyone can be a deconner.

[UncaBuffalo]

I wouldn't go so far as to call working one or two outages of decon 'counterproductive'....  At least it gives you a feel for what a nuke plant is like during outage conditions.  But, I'd definitely agree that a couple of years of non-nuke I&C experience will look better on your resume than a couple of years of decon time.

Good luck with your job search. 

[ddickey]

Off topic some but I received my NUCP Certificate also. I asked a recruiter, who works for a big utility, about it and she looked at me quizzically and said she's never heard of it. Oops. Anyway did you ever receive something in writing/on paper?

[Gamma_Gus]

Housedad - I've applied to several, today got a reply for an I&E apprentice in a paper company. I will follow it up and see where it goes.

I really just wanted to work a couple of outages to show that I have worked in a nuclear industrial setting and maybe demonstrate that I am fit for duty. My rationale is if I am responsible and eligible to have unescorted access to one plant maybe that would lead an employer to take a chance on me.

ddickey - Yes I actually received a paper certificate from the nuclear energy institute.      

What are you opinions on ISA certifications

[retired nuke]

Housedad - I've applied to several, today got a reply for an I&E apprentice in a paper company. I will follow it up and see where it goes.

I really just wanted to work a couple of outages to show that I have worked in a nuclear industrial setting and maybe demonstrate that I am fit for duty. My rationale is if I am responsible and eligible to have unescorted access to one plant maybe that would lead an employer to take a chance on me.

ddickey - Yes I actually received a paper certificate from the nuclear energy institute.      

What are you opinions on ISA certifications

If you are qualified / experienced in control instrumentation, the NRC clearance is nothing, and a utility / contract company will be more likely to take a chance on a proven electronics worker without a nuclear badge, than on a trained but unproven worker with a badge. The badge / nuclear industrial setting isn't that big a deal. Really...

Good luck