And I'm not afraid to put my money where my mouth is, so I've signed on as a gold member today. I have an M.S. Chemistry and I'm interested in Chem and NLO-->SRO positions. I've already made contact with a few of you through private messages and I'm grateful for the help and advice. Looking forward to sharing a pot of coffee with you on-site in the future.
Welcome aboard! good luck in your endeavors!
Quote from: Papa Nuc on Jul 11, 2011, 10:03
And I'm not afraid to put my money where my mouth is, so I've signed on as a gold member today. I have an M.S. Chemistry and I'm interested in Chem and NLO-->SRO positions. I've already made contact with a few of you through private messages and I'm grateful for the help and advice. Looking forward to sharing a pot of coffee with you on-site in the future.
Quote from: Starkist on Jul 11, 2011, 11:51
Welcome aboard! good luck in your endeavors!
(http://www.katzy.dsl.pipex.com/Smileys/c000.gif)
Just keep the crystal ball at home ... (http://www.katzy.dsl.pipex.com/Smileys/c008.gif) (http://www.katzy.dsl.pipex.com/Smileys/c005.gif)
Quote
Oh, and (http://www.katzy.dsl.pipex.com/Smileys/welcome.gif)
Quote from: MacGyver on Jul 12, 2011, 12:09
(http://www.katzy.dsl.pipex.com/Smileys/c000.gif)
Just keep the crystal ball at home ... (http://www.katzy.dsl.pipex.com/Smileys/c008.gif) (http://www.katzy.dsl.pipex.com/Smileys/c005.gif)
Oh, and (http://www.katzy.dsl.pipex.com/Smileys/welcome.gif)
Great commercial, I had not seen that one yet.
If anyone wants to offer advice that I can't find by searching, I'm all eyes.
Look over Region II Plants. The fall postings should be out shortly for OPS (NLO--->SRO; sic). Those positions should be starting around the fall to spring depending on the utility. As for chemistry, well that isn't my speciality. It would be a useful time cruncher to set-up an account (career page) at all the utilities you would like to work. Once you have set-up a 'career page' use one of the notification tools on the career homepage to alert you when a job / position opens. Apply for all positions available since most are union shops. Senority will allow you to bid on openings internally. Be willing to start at the bottom. I started as a NLO/AUO. Look at me now ... :P
Quote from: MacGyver on Jul 12, 2011, 06:55
Look over Region II Plants. The fall postings should be out shortly for OPS (NLO--->SRO; sic). Those positions should be starting around the fall to spring depending on the utility. As for chemistry, well that isn't my speciality. It would be a useful time cruncher to set-up an account (career page) at all the utilities you would like to work. Once you have set-up a 'career page' use one of the notification tools on the career homepage to alert you when a job / position opens. Apply for all positions available since most are union shops. Senority will allow you to bid on openings internally. Be willing to start at the bottom. I started as a NLO/AUO. Look at me now ... :P
That's great news, because I live in Region II right now! Seriously though, thanks for the advice. I do have an account on most of their websites right now. A note to potential applicants: Progress Energy has the best submission website I've seen to date, and not just among power companies. It is a breeze to create a profile and apply. Now the Navy on the other hand....
And if anyone of you senior members are available to review my resume, I would be very thankful.
Well, things are moving pretty slowly. I'm still waiting to hear back on numerous positions I've applied for. I've spoken directly to a couple of HR recruiters at power companies, but nothing solid yet. I've been biding my time studying the ARCO spatial relationships book, and the DOE fundamentals. I just need someone to give me an opportunity...
One recruiter told me that hiring for permanent positions slows to a crawl approaching their outage season. Does that sound accurate at your companies?
(RE: "outage hiring cycle"); YES, all the companies I know of hire around outage schedules. An outage is an all hands evolution ... so ... even HR has assigned duties other than HR. Most all training is scheduled around th outage too (for the same reason). Although not so much recently due to the operations needs throughout the industry. Don't worry though it will happen soon. :)
Too bad you weren't looking last year. My phone was ringing off the hook! ;D It hasn't rung in a long time recently. :( Just letting you know that it comes and goes in cycles in this industry. So don't get discouraged and keep doing what the people on this site suggested.
Quote from: MacGyver on Sep 08, 2011, 05:22
(RE: "outage hiring cycle"); YES, all the companies I know of hire around outage schedules. An outage is an all hands evolution ... so ... even HR has assigned duties other than HR. Most all training is scheduled around th outage too (for the same reason). Although not so much recently due to the operations needs throughout the industry. Don't worry though it will happen soon. :)
Thanks Mac that makes a lot of sense. I'm optimistic that I am applying at the right time in the hiring cycle since I have seen a lot of NLO openings across the industry lately. Time will tell.
I passed the POSS this week, Gents. 8) One leap closer...
Congratulations.
Great job in setting your goal and continuing to work towards it!
Since my last posting I have passed the POSS again, the BMST, and accepted an offer as an operator! Thank you all for your support, and encouragement. It seems we will have that pot of coffee after all, MacGyver >:(
Congratulations! Now the real work will begin! Glad to see you stuck to your goal and got an offer.