Thanks! I've done a lot of research and I do want to go down the nuclear power path. I guess I could have clarified that much. I've done a lot of research before starting school, and I've long been a supporter of nuclear power. I know the CNSC limits exposure to 5 REM a year, while CNL limits it to 2 REM a year. Even in my spare time I've always been a chemistry and physics nerd, so this is right up my alley.
I'm not actually nervous about the exposure, but quite the contrary. I think being able to say that I safely work in close proximity to alpha/beta/gamma is very exciting! I've done research outside of ALARA as well. I'm not a smoker, but seeing that a heavy (two pack a day) smoker can be exposed to upwards of 1.3 REM a year is a great way to put it into perspective. It's only my second week of the program right now, but I feel like these forums and all of you people will be an amazing resource for me to clarify any concepts I'm having difficulty with and to hopefully make some connections in the industry!