1. Careers Opportunities in Nuclear Science and Technology
Prepared for UML Boy Scout Merit Badge Event
March 22, 2014 By
Steven Stamm
American Nuclear Society – Northeastern Section

2. More nuclear professionals are needed
The demand exceeds the supply of graduates trained in nuclear science and technology.
Many nuclear professionals are retiring and need to transfer their knowledge to the next generation of experts.
Nuclear careers exist in medicine, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and security.

3. Exciting opportunities in nuclear careers
Knowledgeable and experienced professionals serve as instructors and mentors to students entering nuclear careers.
Scholarships, awards, and honors exist for student education and research.
Nuclear Engineers have the 3rd highest median income among the engineering professions at $102,000/year.

4. What types of careers are available?
Government
- Regulatory
- Department of Energy Military Utility Power Generation Engineering, Design, Construction Medical Academia Health Physics
Research
Consulting
Manufacturing

5. Government Where: Jobs: Education: DOE, NRC, National Labs, CIA
Program Manager, Researcher,
Inspector, Analyst
Education:
Most require a college degree
BS, MS, PhD

6. Military Where: Jobs: Education:
Navy, Naval Reactors (Bettis, KAPL, and others),
other branches
Jobs:
Reactor Operator, Instructor,
Designer
Education:
High School diploma, BS, MS, PhD
Military provides nuclear education

7. Utilities Where: Jobs: Education: Nuclear Power Plants
Reactor Operator, Equipment
Operator, Shift Technical
Advisor, Core Designer, Safety Analysis
Education:
High School Diploma to MS/PhD

8. Power Industry Where: Jobs: Education: Reactor Vendors, Engineering &
Construction, Manufacturing Firms
Jobs:
Designer, Core Analysis,
Engineering Support, QA
Education:
BS,MS and PhD, or equivalent

9. Medical Where: Jobs: Education: Hospitals, Clinics, Labs
X-ray Technician, Nuclear
Medicine,Equipment Design,
Research
Education:
High School, BS, MS, PhD, M.D.

10. Academia Where: Jobs: Education: Colleges and Universities
Professor, Researcher,
Reactor Operator/staff
Education:
Most require College Degree: BS, MS, PhD

11. Can you think of any other jobs in nuclear science?

12. How to Prepare for Career in Nuclear
Attend local ANS NE Section Meetings -
High School – classes in math and science
College selection: Consider college with nuclear department
UMass Lowell, MIT, Penn State, URI, Wisconsin, Missouri,
Texas A&M, Tennessee, Ohio State, U of Florida and others
Option:
Undergraduate degree in engineering, nuclear physics, biology, supplemented by graduate courses in nuclear area.
Undergraduate degree in nuclear engineering
2 year associate degree in nuclear
Work/Intern experience at local nuclear companies
Altran, CB&I, Dominion, EPM, Nextera, Invensys, Mass DOE

13. Good Resources American Nuclear Society – Northeastern Section
American Nuclear Society
Nuclear Energy Institute
Department of Energy
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
UMass Lowell
Other Useful Websites