NukeWorker Forum

Career Path => Resume & Interview => Topic started by: anadas on Oct 21, 2009, 11:45

Title: NE Interview Volunteer
Post by: anadas on Oct 21, 2009, 11:45
My son has a school project on nuclear power and would like to interview a nuclear engineer as part of the assignment. He's e-mailed some professors of engineering, but none have responded to his request. It would be a short interview via e-mail questions. Would anyone be interested.
Thank you in advance.

Title: Re: NE Interview Volunteer
Post by: Content1 on Oct 22, 2009, 12:28
Why settle for an engineer, go for a scientist like at the Livermore National Lab.   It would be wise to have a set of questions you plan to ask and some sort of goal you are trying to get from the interview.   They all are busy folk, very intelligent and want someone to do their homework.  That will go for whomever you go with.   You did not say the age or grade level involved.   Need Details.
Title: Re: NE Interview Volunteer
Post by: Smooth Operator on Oct 22, 2009, 02:56
Why settle for an engineer or a scientist when you can ask a nuclear operator?
Title: Re: NE Interview Volunteer
Post by: Gamecock on Oct 22, 2009, 10:16
I am a nuclear engineer (MS degree from MIT).

I would be happy to answer any questions.

Send me a PM.

Cheers,
GC
Title: Re: NE Interview Volunteer
Post by: RDTroja on Oct 22, 2009, 10:31
Why settle for an engineer, go for a scientist like at the Livermore National Lab.   It would be wise to have a set of questions you plan to ask and some sort of goal you are trying to get from the interview.   They all are busy folk, very intelligent and want someone to do their homework.  That will go for whomever you go with.   You did not say the age or grade level involved.   Need Details.

Now, that is funny. Settle for an engineer? I have met my share of Bozo engineers, but a good engineer is every bit as capable as any scientist (and generally more practically useful.) Also, more to the point, the request was about nuclear power, not nuclear research or nuclear theory. Scientists at Livermore are good for theory, but most probably have little practical nuclear power experience (which may also explain why the professors are unresponsive to the requests.)

My suggestion would be a Scientist if the assignment is about pure theory only, an Engineer for design and an Operator for practical application. The operator could probably give the scientist a run for his money on theory too, as long as the theory is pertinent to the particular plant design on which he is trained.
Title: Re: NE Interview Volunteer
Post by: HydroDave63 on Oct 22, 2009, 12:15
Why not just post the questions here in open forum, and see who bites?
Title: Re: NE Interview Volunteer
Post by: anadas on Oct 26, 2009, 07:55
I just wanted to thank everyone for their interest. My son was able to reach someone and it worked out very well. Very nice folks on this site.