Nuclear Engineering: Expectations vs Reality

[@soggypotato7734]

This is a great video, there’s very little content about this on KZbin. Definitely a career field worth researching

[@mackcullison6316]

Hi, just an update for anybody that cares. I got an internship at INL and it is going really well! I get hands on experience with really cool machines

[@jcg702]

Congrats! I've been thinking about going into this field for a while due to my grandpa being a nuclear engineer for the labs as well as NTS. To my knowledge he just dealt with designing and launching bombs and later managing the department. Never got to talk to him very much about it and the fields obviously changed quite a bit. Thank you for the insight, especially since I was under the impression that it could be a dying field considering the lack of information out there.

[@justagreekdude6051]

@@jcg702 hey, quick question. How tough is nuclear engineering, and what types of maths do you need to know in order to become one? I wanna make sure because I might become a nuclear engineer soon

[@jcg702]

@@justagreekdude6051 depends on the university, easiest thing to do imo is look up the university that interests you and see if they offer the program. It will tell you all the classes you need there. Generally there's a decent bit of math though. As far as toughness goes all I know is what my grandpa went through and I'm sure times have changed and him managing the department didn't help any. We'll just say all he pretty much did until he retired was work. This was back when they were testing nuclear bombs all the time. These days companies understand people like to have a life for the most part lol.

[@justagreekdude6051]

@@jcg702 oh, alright then. thanks alot for the info, i'll try find a university that offers me the classes i need to go to

[@baptistbob1038]

@@justagreekdude6051 Hey bro did you find a university? Are you still interested in this?

[@realzeelink]

Just got my diploma last month in Nuclear Science and Radiation Protection in Canada, this is the ultimate frontier for future and bringing the world out from disasters.

[@benkleschinsky]

I'm actually majoring in nuclear engineering at 24. Work in commercial reactors for about 8-10 years, and then I could go officer school to work on the Naval reactors as an engineer in the Navy shipyards in my state.

[@CareerWatch]

Sounds like a plan. Good luck!

[@jessewhallon348]

Wait, are you saying you want to work as a civilian for 10 years, then become a naval officer at age 34? That makes no sense. I was in the Navy for 9 years, though I did aviation, not nuclear power, they don't want people with the minimum age requirement applying. They want you as young as possible so they can adapt you to the "Navy way" of doing things. If you want to be in the Navy, apply now.

[@nerissacrawford8017]

I am 23 and out of a uni but I am thinking about going back and go for nuclear physics. I found a calling in it.

[@seargantmagor]

Wow small world. I was in the Air National Guard and was in structures. Same school as this student, similar time. Just graduated from university in physical and chemical hydrologic sciences but taking a few classes to transfer into nuclear engineering later in life after I commission in the Navy. Good luck on the PHD bud

[@connorjohnson2831]

Hey, it sounds like I’m about to do exactly what you did. I’m going to be a freshman at Purdue and about to join ANG to pay for it. Then I’d like to commission with navy to fly. I was told switching from ANG to navy wasn’t possible, but it sounds like that’s what you did. Do you have any advice?

[@seargantmagor]

@@connorjohnson2831 Hello Connor, I can absolutely give you some advice. For one, you CAN commission into the Navy after joining the ANG, in fact, you become far more competitive in doing so. The only difficulty you would have is trying to be a pilot in the active duty Air Force as 90% of pilots in the AF are from the Academy. The Navy and AND are much more flexible though. If aviation is your main objective, I would say going as a mechanic in the ANG would give you a huge leg up, not only for the interview but also for the mechanic knowledge for the OAR/ASTBE test you will take in order to be an officer. This test isn't too difficult, but its a lot of random knowledge and math skills - there are many sites that help with this test (Air Warriors I believe is the site I used). The Aviation board focuses on two things: Your OAR/ASTBE score, and your college GPA. I would highly recommend going into a STEM field for your bachelors (not required but favorable), and if your grades drop a bit, taking classes at a community college to artificially raise your GPA is very helpful. They care about your overall GPA, not specifically the classes you take. Since you will be labeled as prior service on your application, you already have an advantage so you have some flexibility, don't be ashamed if you don't match everything I said. Last but not least, start applying as a naval aviator during your SENIOR YEAR! It will take a little over a year after speaking to a recruiter, the OAR, interviews, and finding a school date, before you even start OTS. If you begin to apply during your senior year, you can likely start interviews within a few months after graduation. Best of luck, hope to see you in the sky one day.

[@connorjohnson2831]

@@seargantmagor thanks so much, just a few questions. So if I’m on a 6 year ANG contract, do I have to finish out my 6 years or can I leave early to join the navy? And I am considering the navy reserves instead of ANG, but they won’t completely cover tuition. Do you know of any advantages one way or the other? Thanks again!

[@seargantmagor]

@@connorjohnson2831 Technically, you don't need to finish your 6 year contract because you are commissioning as an officer. Going from enlisted -> officer allows a person to break the contract only to sign a new one. However, this requires approval from your squadron commander. I am also not 100% sure how it works with Airforce to Navy, but I do know that this is possible if you stay within the same branch.* A lot of ANG bases hire within, so if you're a mechanic in your unit, you can board as a pilot in the same base. This improves your likelihood that your commander will be open to breaking the contract, and increase your chances on being a pilot. I want to add that you can NOT be a naval reserve pilot right off the bat. All their reserve pilots were active duty. So your choices are basically Naval active duty, or if you join the ANG enlisted, then you can competitively qualify as an ANG pilot. To answer the benefits of ANG vs Navy reserve: So ANG members are under title 32 which doesn't qualify you as a veteran if you don't get deployed, I'm not sure what the status navy reservists get. ANG units are very flexible when it comes to education, and life issues, but I can't speak much about the navy reserves. I can say that the Air Force has the highest quality of living. While that doesn't sound like a huge perk for the short-term, you eventually appreciate it after being in for 3+ years. I have been stationed on a naval base for 6 months and both branches have a close comparison with living standards, but I would still rank the AF higher. A bit of a side note: I'm not sure how old you are, but the general cutoff age for pilots is 26. If you join the ANG or reserves, your allowed a waiver to the age of 32. Being a pilot is VERY competitive, and it takes some people years to get a slot. So having the extra time is an advantage itself. So whichever choice you decide, you are setting yourself up for a bright future. I will say that the ANG/reserves can interrupt your education from time to time - but focus on having good grades rather than finishing your bachelors early. Remember, the aviation board mostly cares about your OAR, and your grades. If you get that C in Quantum Mechanics, that A in art appreciation will (oddly) help.

[@connorjohnson2831]

@@seargantmagorok, that’s really helpful. I’ve talked to a few recruiters and none of them could answer those questions. Really appreciate it!

[@kyleseageruberalles2222]

I'm 14 and I might work up to going to Oregon State University for nuclear egineering.

[@luisguevara4113]

Yes! please do another interview update. This video was so interesting.

[@issac4936]

I am surprised that the questions that you asked were for the most part surface level. Also I am surprised that this guy has not been to a commercial plant as a PhD candidate in nuclear. I am graduate student in Nuclear Engineering at Missouri S &T and have worked at 2 different nuclear generating stations.

[@CareerWatch]

I am definitely not a nuclear engineer. I wish there was more content out there regarding nuclear engineering on youtube.

[@issac4936]

@@CareerWatch what kind of content would you like to see? What topics interest you in nuclear engineering? Look forward to hearing your response😄

[@sleepymolly1344]

Go issac

[@issac4936]

@Esteb5n Caballero Even if I make videos talking about nuclear engineering there is no guarantee that it will garner any interest. The DOD and military programs advocate for this info to young people it just has not garnered any interest from young people. The younger crowd or in this case the people in my age range 18-25 are more interested in other forms of energy production. That being wind, solar and others and optimizing them.

[@romanmartinez3701]

Issac I’d like to hear more information and what you do.

[@sebastianc8840]

This video was a really good one. I guess I just wish you asked about the kinds of fuel they are planning to use in the gen IV reactors. Are they still using uranium-235 or are they trying out something safer like thorium?

[@CareerWatch]

Will keep this in mind next time.

[@mackcullison6316]

Hi! The US is considering all types of Fuels and different materials. Maybe I could do a video on it? There are 4 fissile materials and a handful of fertile materials, I hope this helps!

[@WarriorBane]

Thnx for uploading this👍

[@Tracks777]

awesome content

[@CareerWatch]

Appreciate it!

[@dinuriperera5015]

Thank you so much for making this video!!!

[@luisguevara4113]

The biggest problem is the capital cost (it's in the billions) and the upkeep cost due to regulation (which it is great that we have a robust NRC)

[@joseg3102]

Nuclear Energy is one of the cleanest if not the cleanest forms of energy prove me wrong.

[@CareerWatch]

Its underrated. Hopefully we build more nuclear plants in the future.

[@joseg3102]

@@CareerWatch I agree. It's almost as if the world works backwards with these politicians running the show 🙄

[@angelguajardo697]

As a chemical engineering is it possible to work in nuclear reactors like a nuclear engineer?

[@Anonymoose66G]

You can work on nuclear waste management and disposal, also R&D however physicists make up the majority of R&D research in nuclear so it'll be hard to break into R&D, breaking into nuclear waste shouldn't be to difficult but there are a limited number of jobs. and/or get a masters in Nuclear engineering.

[@inspireforgreatness7345]

I’m 16 and want to pursue this, what classes should I take senior year to help, I’ve take college level electricity at master level in high school and principles of engineering, kinda looking for science classes that would help

[@deacon6221]

Don’t know if this is too late. If you can try to take Physics classes at your community college, along with as many mathematical classes as you can, shit like Calculus I, II, and III. Nuclear as a whole is a lot of physics, a lot more physics then some of the other engineering fields. If you like math or are at least good at it, recommend.

[@mr.quacky7151]

@@deacon6221 I know this isn't my comment but thanks :>

[@spiggensengineering1963]

Great video! Currently in viechle engineering, thinking about doing nuclear engineering for my master!

[@jagmohankhanna4905]

Interesting conversation

[@dess5600]

Is there a lot of field work involved or is it strictly office work?

[@strawhatluruto8115]

Hi I'm 12 and I'm aspiring to be a nuclear engineer . What Is the normal pay and what talents do i need to do this

[@Xarishher]

Way too young to start thinking about that now lol

[@Anonymoose66G]

@@Xarishher I don't agree, it's to young to make a final decision but thinking about these things is a very good thing and a sign of maturity.

[@Anonymoose66G]

@@Xarishher I don't agree, it's to young to make a final decision but thinking about these things is a very good thing and a sign of maturity.

[@Anonymoose66G]

I'm not sure about the American education system which I'm assuming is where your from. Really anything to do with physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, geography and geology Research more and talk to people in the field to see wether your really sold on it or not. Focus on your grades, perhaps get a little work experience, do extracurriculars and figure out what universities you want to go to, degree you want to do, wether or not you want to study abroad for free in certain European countries, what branch and sector you want to work in ect, GL.

[@Anonymoose66G]

I'm not sure about the American education system which I'm assuming is where your from. Really anything to do with physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, geography and geology Research more and talk to people in the field to see wether your really sold on it or not. Focus on your grades, perhaps get a little work experience, do extracurriculars and figure out what universities you want to go to, degree you want to do, wether or not you want to study abroad for free in certain European countries, what branch and sector you want to work in ect, GL.

[@TheInvisibleOne1026]

Ha, we are shutting down TMI, and numerous nuc plants, I know, I work there.

[@SanjacPr0ductions]

This dude needs to engineer a less fucked up haircut for himself

[@rebekasultana5639]

Should i go for this subject? Please! Help me.I am from Bangladesh. There is only one University for NE.

[@afrin304]

You can...MIST have Nuclear and science Engineering!

[@eileenbatycki2123]

Yes

[@HamzasaeedKhan]

why you are using so big headphones in this 2022?

[@calebschenck4493]

Actually there are a lot of jobs for material engineering.

[@CareerWatch]

Yeah I just did a recent video on that. Tons of jobs for them right now.

[@pwboss3350]

is nuclear engingeer jobs riskly and dangerous?

[@CareerWatch]

Not dangerous.

[@pwboss3350]

@@CareerWatch bro are u sure its not dangerous and riskly?

[@riche5272]

PW Boss lmao

[@pwboss3350]

@@riche5272 what do u mean?

[@riche5272]

PW Boss what does pew stand for

[@maxamedshaafiabdirahman5679]

If you want to make and design bombs and weapons what kind of engeneering is required of you

[@mqfxtraders8327]

And why do you want to do that?

[@mackcullison6316]

Nuclear, mechanical, electrical, aerospace, or chemical engineering, then find a DoD research lab.

[@maxamedshaafiabdirahman5679]

Guys who of url is a nuclear engineer or is still studying?

[@bdasaw]

I graduated with a BS in nuclear engineering

[@jessewhallon348]

I applaud those who want to work in nuclear engineering, but it seems like a career field where you are one bad public relations story from unemployment. The science/engineering challenges are not as big as the public opinion challenges it seems.

[@bdasaw]

Could say the same about the aviation industry (planes), When planes crash there's a huge media shitstorm but its actually the *safest* and most efficient way to travel, more safe than traveling by road in a car.Its just that whenever there's a car crash, there isn't a media shitstorm, because cars crash so often, it would be dumb to announce it everytime but reactors are so safe that the rare one time something goes wrong, everyone starts talking. Its just a matter of perception at the end of the day and people not looking at the bigger picture.The Aviation industry had to deal with public opinion since inception and it is still thriving today, so I don't see why the nuclear industry wont survive public opinion as well.

[@Anonymoose66G]

@@bdasaw The most efficient way of travel is walking, public transport or cycling but I get your point 😂. To be more specific it's the most efficient transportation system for vast distances over oceanic territories.

[@zeeshanelias_excommunicado7891]

To all nuclear engineers please don't make any nuke or nuclear weapons.

[@wandering5381]

I’d imagine all nuclear engineers have thought at one point of making one, or doing their own calculations for it.

[@Hershal721]

Im going to make nuclear weapons.

[@bulgingbattery2050]

Anatoly Dyatlov was a nuclear engineer.

[@lowqualityentertainment4886]

Director of Chernobyl lol

[@bulgingbattery2050]

@@lowqualityentertainment4886 Deputy chief engineer at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. If he had succeeded in completing the safety test on reactor 4 on the night of April 26, 1986, then he would have taken the job of Nikolai Fomin as the top dog of CNPP.

[@kylebell7879]

Bill gates..... sigh