Mechanical engineer to nuclear equipment operator or college?

[Idks16]

 Hi
I am currently working at a small HVAC company in NYC but I don't like sitting in a office all the time and I only got a 3k raise from 47k. There are no company benefits like health insurance and 401k. I graduated with a BSME in DEC 2015 and have been working there for 1yr and 3 months. I have a interview with Exelon next week for a nuclear equipment operator position in upstate NY at RE Ginna power plant. I also wanted to go back to college for my masters or another degree. I was thinking about a nursing degree but I don't know if that will work with the nuclear equipment operator hours because of the 12hr shifts day or night. I also have to think about the cost of relocating and buying a car since there is no public transportation to the plant (according to google maps) and I currently live with my parents so I don't pay rent. I also still have 20k student loans left to payoff.

Here are my questions:
1. Will I have time to go back to college for a nursing degree or another degree?
2. What is the wage of a nuclear equipment operator in NY?
3. Is it worth it financially to accept the job and relocate upstate?
4. what is the daily life of a nuclear equipment operator and is the job enjoyable?

[ddickey]

1. No
2. Fully qualified ~ $43+
3. Yes
4. Not even going there

[MMM]

I was going to answer, but couldn't stop laughing after the first question. I'm also in PA, so I don't know what NPOs/NLOs make in NY.

[GLW]

3. Yes

just so long as this is your idea of a lovely winter:

[retired nuke]

Hi
I am currently working at a small HVAC company in NYC but I don't like sitting in a office all the time and I only got a 3k raise from 47k. 3k raise from 47k? that's pretty darned good (unless it was part of a promotion - even then, it's not bad) - expect 2%/yr to be the norm in the rest of the world. There are no company benefits like health insurance and 401k. (you have a couple more years to ride your parents insurance - step up and start an IRA on your own) I graduated with a BSME in DEC 2015 and have been working there for 1yr and 3 months. I have a interview with Exelon next week for a nuclear equipment operator position in upstate NY at RE Ginna power plant. I also wanted to go back to college for my masters or another degree. I was thinking about a nursing degree but I don't know if that will work with the nuclear equipment operator hours because of the 12hr shifts day or night. I also have to think about the cost of relocating and buying a car since there is no public transportation to the plant (according to google maps)(most of America does not have public transportation - get a used hyundai, a small apt., and start putting money in the bank) and I currently live with my parents so I don't pay rent. I also still have 20k student loans left to payoff. $20k in loans is the equivalent of a Corolla - suck it up, should be paid off in <4 years, especially if housing is covered by your folks.

Here are my questions:
1. Will I have time to go back to college for a nursing degree or another degree? - you may - shift work makes it difficult. Online is a possibility. Exelon may pay for it if it's in your field, may not for nursing. You may find it easier to get nursing degree where you are - regular hours, family support, location....
2. What is the wage of a nuclear equipment operator in NY? that would be a good question for the interview. Well above what you are making now.
3. Is it worth it financially to accept the job and relocate upstate? depends - if you are NYC born and raised - upstate is a different country ;-)
4. what is the daily life of a nuclear equipment operator and is the job enjoyable? - shift work, boring interspersed with activity, tedium interspersed with fanatical attention to detail