questions about the nuclear industry

[captain hank]

So, i'm soon to be a freshman in college. The hope is to go to graduate school, get my Ph. D., and use that for a power plant operator (if possible) or maybe a medical physicist. The real question I have about the industry is what exactly is it like? Is it rewarding, boring, fun, some other adjective i'm not listing? Is it a good idea to even go into the nuclear sector? Also, what is it like health-wise (such as insurance, if regular check-ups are required, overall safety of the sector0?

[Marlin]

So, i'm soon to be a freshman in college. The hope is to go to graduate school, get my Ph. D., and use that for a power plant operator (if possible) or maybe a medical physicist. The real question I have about the industry is what exactly is it like? Is it rewarding, boring, fun, some other adjective i'm not listing? Is it a good idea to even go into the nuclear sector? Also, what is it like health-wise (such as insurance, if regular check-ups are required, overall safety of the sector0?

Well first for a freshman you may change your mind on your major while in college, that is common. My daughter changed hers a couple of times. Nuclear engineering is a mix of several disciplines a major in a more focused degree that can be used elsewhere may be more beneficial: mechanical, electrical, computer sciences etc. Operators do not need a PHD but there is a continuous need for them at the national labs. As for rewarding that depends on the position you have operations is just one out of many in a power plant. Power plants are an industrial environment, the labs are more of a campus environment again depending on position. Good luck and hopefully you will get more input from others here on NukeWorker.