NukeWorker Forum

Career Path => Nuclear Operator => Topic started by: Idks16 on Mar 25, 2017, 01:40

Title: Mechanical engineer to nuclear equipment operator or college?
Post by: Idks16 on Mar 25, 2017, 01:40
 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?
 
Title: Re: Mechanical engineer to nuclear equipment operator or college?
Post by: ddickey on Mar 25, 2017, 05:38
1. No
2. Fully qualified ~ $43+
3. Yes
4. Not even going there
Title: Re: Mechanical engineer to nuclear equipment operator or college?
Post by: MMM on Mar 27, 2017, 04:41
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.
Title: Re: Mechanical engineer to nuclear equipment operator or college?
Post by: GLW on Mar 27, 2017, 05:18

3. Yes


just so long as this is your idea of a lovely winter:
(https://s.w-x.co/jim_teske_boylston.jpg)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C4ALIQ7UEAAWGqd.jpg)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C4ALIQ8UMAA_w72.jpg)


(http://wdef.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/cbsnews2.cbsistatic.comhubir20170313a5d1de00-9b15-4024-b992-3b63e2bd2dcdresize620xfa12eb78bd180d30f9b7d3d2fe7068daiice-house-c90a7d4871d71a6f94a0dd6b6e1ff01b28fb5d95.jpg)
Title: Re: Mechanical engineer to nuclear equipment operator or college?
Post by: retired nuke on Mar 28, 2017, 06:57
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