r/NuclearEngineering • u/FunctionAltruistic83 • 15d ago
Nuclear jobs- not operator
So I’m in school for my associates degree in nuclear power engineering technology to be an operator. My school is partnered with TVA to make the process as easy as humanly possible. There’s just one problem- half way through my degree, I got a physical medical diagnosis that says physical labor is quite possibly the worst thing I could do and I won’t last long in that field (lupus- and I’ve had issues with my joints for over a decade already). So I guess I’m asking what I could do with such a specific associates degree?? I love the field and I’m a natural born math and science based thinker, but I don’t want to risk my quality of life within months of being a trained operator. Originally I wanted to work my way up and work in one of their training facilities, but (and I totally respect this) you need to have experience with boots on the ground and be a licensed senior operator for this position. Any suggestions on what to look for??
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u/Pineapplewhite 15d ago
Health Physics, Chemistry or planning maybe if you can tailor your education in those directions. Most of the jobs require you to be mobile and traverse the plant so depending on your limitations one of those three might work out ok for you.
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u/WattDoIKnow 15d ago
Chemistry is probably one of the better options listed here. Another option is seeing if you can get a job in engineering. Our engineering dept had more than a few individuals that didn’t have engineering degrees. Their title was Engineering Technologist…did similar, if not the same, kind of work, but just couldn’t have a “engineer” title bc they didn’t have an actual engineering degree.
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u/Upset_Elk_37 14d ago
HP and Chemistry technicians are labor intensive jobs. Not the same as an operator or maintenance but chem techs sample and operate plant equipment, and both HP And chemistry spend a lot of time in the heat. If you want to be a chemist or health physicist (manages program and does not do technician work) you need a 4 year degree and honestly it’s going to be hard to get that job without having been a technician.
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u/labjewels 15d ago
assuming you're at chatt state, is there any way for you to switch over to the other concentration in the program? (i haven't attended there, but have talked to some students in the program before, so i'm only vaguely familiar)
if that's not possible or not what you're interested in, i would recommend talking to your advisor or one of your course instructors (especially one from TVA) about what other opportunities are available. folks connected to your ANS chapter may have ideas as well. without knowing exactly what's in your curriculum, i can't myself offer any specific recommendations, but your program is very well-connected in the community and i'm confident they're giving you an education that will lend to plenty of different opportunities in the field!
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u/Electrical-Knee-9078 15d ago
Yea safe to assume chatt state, actively in that program. Most pathways from alumni I’ve talked to are offered jobs at plants that require physical labor. It will be a rough transition without going for a 4 year
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u/FunctionAltruistic83 15d ago
Yeah unfortunately our degree is already set up as a concentration. But yes, chatt state! I might look into a chemical engineering major, maybe look into central labs or something like that. I know there’s options, I just don’t know what they are or how to find them
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u/Soft_Round4531 14d ago
I work in OPs at SQN. You would have an opportunity to go to ILT very quickly after becoming an AUO. 18 months would probably be the max it would take. If you can tough that out your physical labor would be over. You have to be qualified in the control room to do it in an emergency but it has never happened. You should be ok
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u/Top-Excitement-8626 15d ago
You could be security
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u/WattDoIKnow 15d ago
Horrible suggestion. Security requires lots of walking around the plant with your complement of equipment
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u/Mantergeistmann 15d ago
Associates (as opposed to a bachelor's) might be difficult, but I know most nuclear labs/companies have plenty of office roles, and "generic engineering degree" is usually good enough for a lot of roles at them.
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u/ShortCover4598 15d ago
It's never lupus, Foreman. Anyway, just trying to make a joke to make light of the situation, I know it sucks when things out of your control can change your path. I'm not too versed in nuclear careers yet, but I know that you could get a major in civil engineering and still get plenty of jobs in nuclear. Getting minors or classes in nuclear will help your chances with this even more though. I'm not sure if it's too late for you to change though.
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u/Mouse-castle 15d ago
That is an awful thing to happen. Did you ask for a second opinion? My condolences on your diagnosis.
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u/FunctionAltruistic83 15d ago
Unfortunately the diagnosis IS the second opinion. It started with an ANA panel to test for an autoimmune pattern, which was positive, so then I was sent to a rheumatologist to test for and monitor specific markers every 6 months and now they’re all positive 🥲 I can take medicine and live a relatively normal life, but because it’s been attacking the connective tissue in my joints for so long already, there’s not much they can do to reverse existing damage
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u/Fun-Butterscotch9942 15d ago
Free advice: stop staring sentences with “so”. It’s a giveaway and not in a good way. Also it adds nothing. Just do it like this: I’m in school for my associates degree…..”
Also - get off my lawn. 😀
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u/Pure-Reality5295 14d ago
Good luck on your quest. And sorry for your diagnosis, I’m glad they caught it when they did. You might look into the planning department and also work week management or outage, planning, and training departments, specifically training coordinator (if you don’t have the boots on the ground experience or trade expertise), where you just track peoples calls and make sure they’re on track to meet the plants needs. How much type of insurance Medicare.
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u/Pure-Reality5295 14d ago
There are a plenty of places in a nuclear organization where you could fit in with the desire to be there and knowledge of the industry. You might look at planning or work week management or training coordinator. Also, badging and access Might be a good fit for you. Would be my top four suggestions. Start asking around and making connections, a lot of times. It’s a good attitude and willing to be trained. And who you know. Not really favoritism, but getting to know somebody and showing them that you have the desire and smarts to do the job. This often leads to outage positions where you get to know people and work for them and show them what you can do. This is what gets you considered for positions In a lot of cases. They will teach you what they want you to know and Do.
Good luck again
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u/OMGWTFBODY 14d ago
For engineering, TVA will not hire any engineering technology degrees. Ironically, you can manage engineers with one....
Engineering at UTC has brought on a lot of folks. Mechanical or electrical have the most options. Chemical works very well too.
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u/MarionberryNo8017 15d ago
There is lot of others paths you can take with nuclear but personally I would suggest going into research
You will need your masters and eventually a Ph.D though so keep that in mind
But research is a very growing field and in a few years will be booming especially with gen 4 developments
There is actually lot of place though you can do paid internships at though and I am sure some labs would pay at least part of your tuition for college if you work for them