So, would a nuclear engineering degree be good now?

end3r7

I understand that nuclear power is not very "in" here in the US of A, but Texas A&M offers a good nuclear engineering program. I was wondering if you guys would recommend getting a degree in it or not.

brewnog

Even when there's no nuclear plants being built, there's always nuclear plants being operated, maintained, audited, and decommissioned. These aspects are arguably more important than planning, designing and commissioning in the first place.

Do you want a degree in nuclear engineering? If you're that worried about career prospects, perhaps you could consider studying a broader discipline for your undergrad degree, and then specialising in nuc eng later (either in an academic or industrial environment).

end3r7

It isn't for me, it's actually for a friend (I know it may sound like I'm lying but I truly ain't).
He is a good friend, and I was worried if he would find a career, although I probably should be worrying about sorting out my life most of all.

Morbius

end3r7,
Texas A & M is a very good school in the Nuclear Engineering field.
I number a couple of friends on the TAMU NE faculty. Prof. Fred Best was one of my
contemporaries when I was a graduate student at M.I.T. Prof. Marvin Adams was
formerly one of my collegues here at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Dr. Gregory Greenman
Physicist

Astronuc

MIT has a great program too.

Actually I would recommend if one goes into nuclear, also try to specialize in another field like mechanical, structural, electrical, aerospace, or materials, or perhaps even physics. The field is very competitive.

Unfortunately NASA's Prometheus program has stalled, but NASA is continuing to look at nuclear energy for space applications.

The NAVY has an ongoing nuclear propulsion program, and the commercial nuclear power industry is ongoing, but it is somewhat fluid in terms of hiring and downsizing.

The nuclear industry does need engineers with a good materials background.

In the world of today, engineers need to be more diverse, i.e. specialists in two or more engineering disciplines, in order to have job security.