Engineering Career advice for a nuclear engineering graduate

AI Thread Summary
The discussion highlights the challenges faced by a recent nuclear engineering graduate from an Asian country in securing a job in the nuclear industry, despite the growing interest in nuclear energy in Europe and the US. The individual has applied to numerous well-known companies and research institutes but has received mostly automated rejections or no responses. Questions arise regarding the hiring practices of nuclear companies for foreign graduates and the competitiveness of the job market for local candidates. The participant also seeks advice on the necessary skill set for entry-level positions, given their background in neutronics and radiation safety. Concerns about transitioning into the nuclear field at mid-career versus returning to a previous role in non-destructive testing are also expressed.
Guan
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Hi everyone,
I'm from an Asian country, and graduated with M.Sc. degree in nuclear power engineering last year from a university in Russia. Since then, I have been looking for jobs related to nuclear engineering but no luck up till now. Seeing that nuclear energy is getting trendy now in European countries, and the US, I have been applying for jobs from well-known nuclear companies like Westinghouse, Entergy, Framatone and some startup companies like Terrapower, Kairos, X-Energy and nuclear research institutes like SCK CEN.

So far, luck is not on my side as I keep getting rejections after rejections via automated emails or totally no response at all and now thinking of giving up seeking to work in nuclear power industry. I thought that having a nuclear education would make me marketable everywhere but it seems like I was wrong...

Does nuclear companies in the European countries and the US usually hire foreigners? How competitive it is even for local nuclear graduates to secure a job in the nuclear industry?

What is the minimum skill set that I need to have to be eligible to begin my career in the entry-level nuclear-related career? I have basic neutronic skills in WIMS D5 and MCNP 4C which I've learned back in my university days, some practical skill in radiation detectors, gamma spectroscopy and research reactor facility. In addition, prior to my postgraduate studies, I worked as an NDT technician for 6 years and used to be a radiation safety supervisor mainly in oil and gas industry.

Since I'm in my mid 30s now, I wonder if it's usual to transition into nuclear industry or just return to my old job an NDT personnel in the oil and gas industry.
Let me know what you guys think...
 
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Guan said:
Hi everyone,
I'm from an Asian country, and graduated with M.Sc. degree in nuclear power engineering last year from a university in Russia. Since then, I have been looking for jobs related to nuclear engineering but no luck up till now. Seeing that nuclear energy is getting trendy now in European countries, and the US, I have been applying for jobs from well-known nuclear companies like Westinghouse, Entergy, Framatone and some startup companies like Terrapower, Kairos, X-Energy and nuclear research institutes like SCK CEN.

So far, luck is not on my side as I keep getting rejections after rejections via automated emails or totally no response at all and now thinking of giving up seeking to work in nuclear power industry. I thought that having a nuclear education would make me marketable everywhere but it seems like I was wrong...

Does nuclear companies in the European countries and the US usually hire foreigners? How competitive it is even for local nuclear graduates to secure a job in the nuclear industry?

What is the minimum skill set that I need to have to be eligible to begin my career in the entry-level nuclear-related career? I have basic neutronic skills in WIMS D5 and MCNP 4C which I've learned back in my university days, some practical skill in radiation detectors, gamma spectroscopy and research reactor facility. In addition, prior to my postgraduate studies, I worked as an NDT technician for 6 years and used to be a radiation safety supervisor mainly in oil and gas industry.

Since I'm in my mid 30s now, I wonder if it's usual to transition into nuclear industry or just return to my old job an NDT personnel in the oil and gas industry.
Let me know what you guys think...
Too bad jim hardy has passed. See for example: https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...y-of-nuclear-power-plant.954258/#post-6048116
Found with this search:https://www.physicsforums.com/search/6448796/?q=nuclear&c[users]=Jim+Hardy&o=relevance
 
I worked in commercial nuclear power in the US for over 40 years. There were many "foreigners" especially working for the reactor vendors. The plant owners (power companies) were more likely to hire local people, mainly because the rural site locations led to higher turnover among people raised elsewhere.

Now when I say "foreigners" I mean people who have immigrated to the US, and subsequently become citizens. I wonder if your citizenship/immigration status is an issue?
 

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