Grad school in science after enlistment

[Mmccoy]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading the site for awhile and had a kind of specific question about career paths after serving as a nuke. Has anyone here gone on to grad school in a science after their time as a nuke, or know someone who has? Mainly, I'm interested in hearing about masters or PhD's in physics, chemistry, biology, something like that (as opposed to an engineering field). Even economics or math.

I know that being a nuke looks really good for engineering careers after but I'm wondering if that's the case for pure science fields too. Do you think universities will appreciate the experience as a nuke, even though its mainly technical?


Some background about me, I have a Bachelor's in physics and want to continue in the field after serving. Due to my low junior and senior year gpa, and no research experience, grad school seems to be out of reach for me now. (The phrase "lack of experience" keeps coming up). So I saw being a nuke as a good way to explore a related field, get some work (and life) experience, and get that laziness streak out of me that caused the low gpa in my last years of college.

I think I will enjoy the work and the time on the ship and traveling, but I also want to know that it's helping my future career goals too.

[HeavyD]

If you're looking for "experience" in physics, not going to find that as an enlisted Nuke.  We operate, maintain and repair the systems and equipment that provides propulsion and electrical generation for carriers and subs.  We also implement and run various administrative programs to support these activities, as well as the Navy's mission overall.

What serving shows a potential employer is that you are, generally speaking, trainable, dependable, reliable, and goal and detail oriented.  I say employers because the grad school entrance process might as well be a job application process.

Best of luck and hopefully this offers a quick peak behind the curtain.

[GLW]

.........Best of luck and hopefully this offers a quick peak behind the curtain.

keep in mind that, while serving as an enlisted nuke in the USN, you will probably not enhance your skills and knowledge regarding the structure and use of the English language,...


of course, if you do know how to correctly spell the correct homonym within the correct context of that homonym, then,....


the detail oriented part of being an enlisted nuke will make you a pain in the ass to the other nukes in your division should you choose to lift all boats with your training goals vis a vis spelling, exemplia gratia,...

[SloGlo]

of course, if you do know how to correctly spell the correct homonym within the correct context of that homonym, then,....

aye could take exception two that, butt that wood bee to much exertation of mine and body.

[HeavyD]

Well played GLW, well played 

Guilty as charged

[GLW]

aye could take exception two that, butt that wood bee to much exertation of mine and body.

regarding the English language,...

SloGlo don't count,...

[GLW]

Well played GLW, well played 

Guilty as charged

nukes and english are a mixture, not a compound,...

[MMM]

I know a girl who got out of the army (diesel mechanic) and got a PhD in Biochemistry and a nuke who got out and is working on his PhD in physics, if that helps. The GI Bill will most likely get you through your Masters, just FYI.

[SloGlo]

regarding the English language,...

SloGlo don't count,...

... yins dew naught want me two go international, yew have enough trubble with english n 'burghese. we mon sewer?

[SloGlo]

nukes and english are a mixture, not a compound,...

cheque, mate.

[spekkio]

Hi everyone,

I've been reading the site for awhile and had a kind of specific question about career paths after serving as a nuke. Has anyone here gone on to grad school in a science after their time as a nuke, or know someone who has? Mainly, I'm interested in hearing about masters or PhD's in physics, chemistry, biology, something like that (as opposed to an engineering field). Even economics or math.

I know that being a nuke looks really good for engineering careers after but I'm wondering if that's the case for pure science fields too. Do you think universities will appreciate the experience as a nuke, even though its mainly technical?


Some background about me, I have a Bachelor's in physics and want to continue in the field after serving. Due to my low junior and senior year gpa, and no research experience, grad school seems to be out of reach for me now. (The phrase "lack of experience" keeps coming up). So I saw being a nuke as a good way to explore a related field, get some work (and life) experience, and get that laziness streak out of me that caused the low gpa in my last years of college.

I think I will enjoy the work and the time on the ship and traveling, but I also want to know that it's helping my future career goals too.

Grad school programs care about your your GPA, your standardized test scores, and your 'extra-curriculars/work experience,' in that order. Your nuke experience will mostly be interpreted as 'prior military' as far as grad school goes, and won't be interpreted much differently than the prior Marine's application right next to yours.