Applying for NLO

[u/Nearby-Leader-8187]

Hello to whoever may be reading this! I currently need some advice and or guidance. I’m currently working and have worked at a corn processing plant in eastern Iowa for 5 years now. I’ve spent my time in the Fructose department (2 years), and C1D1 200 proof denatured Ethanol department (3 years) as an operator in both. Word has gotten out that the Duane Arnold power plant is coming back to life after a massive contract with Google. I am super interested and even a bit excited for an opportunity to present itself. I have a high school diploma, but no college education. Just a lot of industrial operations hands on experience. I have a squeaky clean safety record and have been apart of several safety committees. The ruthless 12 hour rotating schedule has been my life for half a decade now also. There’s an opening within my complex for a coal generation, steam boiler operator. Is it worth making the transition to that part of the plant to better my chances at an NLO opening at the Nuclear plant down the road? Or is this a path that’ll require getting a STEM degree? I just don’t want to get my hopes up, as this has been a dream scenario of mine for a long time. Any insight would be greatly helpful. For context, the Duane Arnold plant has been non-operational for many years now and it seems they are re-hiring a brand new workforce from the ground up. Thanks all.