I am a junior mechanical engineering student that is going to have some controls system focus (by taking several EE courses and an embedded system/software course). I wish to apply for the NR engineering since I have a minor interest in nuclear engineering (not enough to major in it due to uncertain job prospects), I understand how mechanical and controls engineering applies to reactor design/maintenance, and I want to serve the United States.
Regarding my academics, I have Cs in two engineering courses, and a B- in C/C++ programming. My overall GPA is 3.30.
I understand that the NR Engineering requires at least Bs in all technical courses. Although my recruiter stated that the academic requirements could be waived, I consider that to be very unlikely.
I did have a significant amount of engineering work and student experiences:
-I am involved with SAE Baja and AIAA. I was designing a solid-fuel powered rocket for AIAA's upcoming national rocket launch competition, until I received an co-op offer that I couldn't refuse.
-I had a co-op with a car manufacturing company this year, and was given a major controls system programming project by my mentor during my first few weeks. He told me that I was the manager of the project, and to drive the point home, I have personally seen him tell a line engineer and IT engineer that they were to take orders from me, a sophomore engineering student.
Here's what was on my resume (regarding the co-op) when I gave it to the recruiter:
• Responsible for an automated monitoring project, estimated to save over $3 million yearly
• Organized training for three engineers to continue implementing the monitoring project on other production lines
• Coordinated project tasks with production staffs and full-time engineers, and communicated with management
• Completed an estimated 5-month automated monitoring project within 3 months
• Assisted with debugging a problematic parts tracking system for an aluminum engine block production line
• Programmed over 50 industrial controls systems using PLC ladder logic programming language
• Wired fiber optic CC-Link Industrial Network, Ethernet, 24V data signaling and 110V power supply cables
• Welded, installed and programmed a camera protection system to prevent disruptions in the parts tracking system
I really enjoyed doing the project management, programming, engineering design and hands-on work.
If I am unable to get into the NR Engineering, I could apply for the submarine and surface officer positions, though I would need a bit of time to think about those two positions. I'm not sure how much engineering is involved with the officer positions, or the future career prospects (design/manufacturing engineering, or engineering management) when I go back into the civilian world.