Getting out with Thomas Edison BSAT and MBA

[JsonD13]

Im obtaining my MS in engineering management right now from Southern Methodist University in Texas through their distance learning program.  They are a decently well known school (Dr. Phil's son goes there and almost all of their undergraduate engineering programs are ABET accrediated).  I know you are looking for an MBA but the MSEM is close I believe.  Most all of my courses are business courses aimed at providing us technical types with those type of skills.  The format works really well for me (they send me DVD's of each class, so I learn like I am in a classroom).  I started my first semester down at prototype and it worked out fine.  Currently I'm on CVN 70 and it works for me here too.

Jason

[RRPC4]

Thanks to both of you for your help, the MSEM might be a possiblity for me.  Thanks for the info Smish, I was really worried about the out of pocket expenses, so that is a big help for me.  I am definatly trying very hard to get my EWS board.  Hopefully, it will be in a week or two, although they have been saying that for awhile.  I think they are getting tired of me whining about it.  I have already started routing my 1306.  If I qualify soon, I will route another one, and just try to get my orders changed.  Does anyone know the difference of what a MBA or a MSEM are worth in the civilian world.  Which would be better to have?

[RRPC4]

By the way.  How many courses will you have to take to get your MSEM?  Can you CLEP any of them, or get prior credit?  What is your schedule like(how many classes a semester)?  Are the semester's traditional length or shorter becuause they are DE?

[JsonD13]

I Have to take 10 courses to get my MSEM, 2 courses a semester and normal semester length.  I expect to graduate after the fall 2006 semester.  The courses are given at the same time as the real courses and they send me copies of the lectures by DVD in the mail.  I just take the tests with my ESO, hope this helps

[maxxchia]

What's up SMISH...

Congratulations on your selection to CHIEF brother...
I am currently RCLCPO on SSN-711 and I am getting out next year (almost eleven in).  Started looking for work already and have 2 building resumes.  We have very similar service jackets.  I was an EOOW-TA and part time TC at NPTU MTS 626.  Made ETC there in 2003.  Got a BA in music from Cal and got my BSAT from TESU like you and am working on my MSEM from ODU distance on-line learning.  You should be pretty well setup for Success when you get out.  I am currently interested in FPL because they put out that they are looking to hire people like me and you directly into license operator class or standby until they class up.  Some of these folks in the discussion forum have definitely put out that it is extremely difficult for someone with no operator experience make it in the license world.  I definitely believe them.  One guy called navy reactors, "simple startup sources" which I imagine is not far off truth.  Bottom line is that it seems that shooting to be a direct input licensed operator could lead to discouraging results but I can still get hired in.  I visited Diablo Canyon utility in southern california recently and developed some contacts down there and opened up some good possibilities.  When is your EAOS?   Trust me... your instincts are correct!  GET OUT!  The submarine world has long changed since you have been there.  Bowman's multi-chance pipeline "pump" and "integrity can be taught" philosophy definitely caused a severe hit on all around quality of young nukes in the fleet these days.  This makes your job very challenging, Chief!  Granted, you do the best you can with the guys and try to make them good operators, technicians and sailors, however some days you feel as if you are fighting a loosing battle and it puts wear and tear on your soul.  The money is just not worth it these days especially since there is plenty of signficant higher paying jobs out there. 

Good luck brother.  You are not alone.

Max

[bbishop]

     Sorry it took me so long to reply.  It's nice to have someone currently on the pond reinforcing my decision to get out. I'm not sure when I'm getting out at this point.  My EAOS is May '06 but I'm trying to extend to September 1st so I can finish my MBA without having to find a job in Charleston. I graduate in August.  The job market here isn't very good.  I have a lot of contacts, but none of them seem to pay very well.  I did see a good one online the other day.  It's a government contractor named Orbis specifically looking for a Navy ET to work on a contract to develop new APDs and radiacs for the Navy. 
      I'm primarily interested in Duke's Oconee plant.  The Clemson/Seneca area is gorgeous and it is close to home (Atlanta).  I've talked to their Operations department.  They don't hire Navy guys into licensed operator classes anymore.  They did say they'd waive the first 15 week class though and start me directly in the systems class.  I'm disappointed with the starting pay ($26/hr).  It would be a significant pay cut for me.  I'm going to look into some of the other departments opportunities.  I've heard that the Training department pays pretty well and that is a better fit for my skills.  The Assistant Engineer position's web posting says an MBA is desired, but it also says you must have a BS in Engineering.  I doubt the BSAT would fly.  I'm beginning to worry.  If my extension doesn't happen,  I'll be on terminal leave in about 4 months. 

[bbishop]

Well, I'm a double digit midget (<100 days to go).  I started sending out my resume in January.  Headhunters have been hounding me with mail and emails.  I wouldn't recommend Monster.com for that reason.  I've been checking the Southeastern Utilities websites regulary. I went to a job fair on base Friday and got some interesting feedback from FPL. They said that I'm qualified for their instant SRO program and they wanted to set up a phone interview.  I had a long conversation with one of their operations managers.  He said that they are hiring E7 and above Navy Nukes with >3 years EWS into an SRO class for St. Lucie.  They need 13 more to fill the class.  It starts 6 months after the last guy gets hired.  Does anyone know what the pay would be prior to actually receiving the license?  Also, how much is the license bonus nowadays? Is St. Lucie a good place to work and raise kids?
I also talked to Duke recently.  They want me to interview for an job in Training.  They said that they normally fill these positions with SROs but they can't afford to take the SROs off shift anymore. 
I'd be happy with either job.  I'm getting nervous.  I have three other mouths to feed and a mortgage to worry about.  If I don't get some offers by April, I'm going to crawl back to the Detailer and beg for Kings Bay.

[hamsamich]

What is wrong with headhunters hounding you?  That's how I got a couple of my jobs.  St. Lucie is a good place to raise kids, relatively.  But don't let them talk you into going to Turkey Point.  Bad for kids. 

My friend Bob is a QA guy there at St. Lucie.  He is trying for an SRO position also but they have decided not to attempt to get him a waiver from the NRC.  Seems quite a few instants have not been getting thru class straight out of the Navy (at all plants, not just Lucie), and since Bob nver was EWS, and his degree isn't "technical enough", they won't waive him, either.  But no worries, even if you do fail out, they usually find a place for you.

I know SROs make quite a bit depending on bonus structure (40+ an hour), but haven't worked at St. Lucie since December, so not sure about St. Lucie or who to ask.

Strange, worried about getting a job but not wanting headhunters to contact you....

[jjordan]

Last I checked Progress Energy is in the Southeast and we've been hiring bigtime! CR3 is 1 Hr N of Tampa, Brunswick is 1 Hr N of Mytle Beach, both on the coast. We also have HB Robinson in Hartsville SC, and Shearon Harris around Raliegh, if your scared of the water!!! We always need operators.
JJ

[Fermi2]

When you don't have your license you get paid whatever they hired you in at.


St Lucie doesn't pay their bonus on an hourly rate. They have a weird structure.

The bonus is 43,000 over 3 years. I believe they pay 12k the first two years. The 3rd year if you accept a 19K bonus you also golden handcuff for the next 3 years. And so on and so on. If you don't accept the bonus you're for all practical purposes golden handcuffed anyway.

They're hiring again because they've had a terible time with Instants straight out of the navy. Unfortunately for them it looks like they're about to make that mistake again. It's their money, so I don't care.

Another thing, a friend of mine is getting his License there. He told me it's getting DARNED expensive to live there and if he had a good choice he'd leave.

Mike

[bbishop]

I took the Instant SRO job at St. Lucie.  I applied for a lot of positions in training and ops with other plants.  Progress never called back.  Duke was only looking for NLEOs.  I also applied with some Nuclear Industry vendors.  They offer less money and an enormous amount of travel.  I realize what Broadzilla and others are saying about the difficulty of going this route but I'm willing put forth the effort to make it work out.  The class of instants that's wrapping up at St. Lucie this week has only had one failure and he was a self- made millionaire who decided early on that it wasn't what he wanted to be doing.  I'm very excited about this career opportunity.  Everyone I've met at the plant from the Site VP to the SRO students has been very friendly and professional.  The area is beautiful and the weather can't be beat.  Your right about the cost of living being a little higher in South Florida but the company more than compensates for it with their bonus structure and a mortgage subsidy for the first three years.  Their relocation package is also very impressive.  I got excellent feedback from this forum and email from Nukeworker members throughout my transition.  It is greatly appreciated.

[Fermi2]

Then FPL gets it back with absolutely no retirement benefits eh?

Tell Chuck, Jeff, and Todd I said hello.

How would they know they had only one failure, they just took their exam last week.

Good luck!!!!!!!!

Mike

[Roll Tide]

I would guess "failure" means failed out of the class, not failed the NRC exam.

Congratulations SMISH. PSL has some of my old friends as well. Are you going to stay at Indian River Plantation until you find a house? I would recommend Martin County, whether you are going to be seaside or inland.

[bbishop]

We're looking primarily in Vero Beach.  I'd like to put a house under contract during my house hunting trip later this month and close on it as early as possible.  Martin county seems too expensive and the yards lots are smaller. 

[Fermi2]

SMISH,

When we moved to Tennessee we had a house waiting. Search all the internet sites for realtors in the area. We got lucky, we found an AssistToSale which is a realtor who gets 2995$ out of a house no matter what they sell it for so they aren't just working with the seller. Ours had a realty broker in the office above theirs. Before I started at TVA we already had a beautiful house waiting for us.

I'm not sure if assisttosell is only in Tennessee but I'm sure they have these types of realtors in Florida.

Also, try PMing M1Ark, he's a St Lucie SRO and a hell of a good guy.

Mike

[bbishop]

Thanks.  We already have a realtor that we like a lot.  FPL's relo department gave him our info and he has been in touch everyday.  We already have about 25 houses in at least 10 different neighborhoods that we want to look at.  All of them are much nicer than the house we currently own but not much bigger.  The subsidy helps a lot.  I think we got a good rate too.  I'm preapproved for up to 400K at 5.875% for a 30 year fixed.  I thought interest rates would be much higher.  That's only .2 above my last mortgage.  I've already milked M1Ark for everything he knows.  He has been very helpful.

[M1Ark]

Thanks.  We already have a realtor that we like a lot.  FPL's relo department gave him our info and he has been in touch everyday.  We already have about 25 houses in at least 10 different neighborhoods that we want to look at.  All of them are much nicer than the house we currently own but not much bigger.  The subsidy helps a lot.  I think we got a good rate too.  I'm preapproved for up to 400K at 5.875% for a 30 year fixed.  I thought interest rates would be much higher.  That's only .2 above my last mortgage.  I've already milked M1Ark for everything he knows.  He has been very helpful.

LOL, SMISH I've probably forgotten more than you know.

M1Ark

[Fermi2]

In the past M1Ark has been remarkably adept at getting info, even arcane stuff. So I doubt you milked him for everything he knows!

Mike