Is a Master's in Nuclear Engineering Abroad the Key to Securing a Job in the US?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the prospects of securing a job in the U.S. nuclear engineering sector after obtaining a Master's degree abroad, particularly in France. Participants explore the challenges faced by individuals with specific educational backgrounds and the impact of citizenship on employment opportunities in the field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about the lack of nuclear job opportunities in Canada and discusses their experience applying for positions in the U.S. without success, attributing some of the difficulty to citizenship preferences.
  • Another participant lists major U.S. companies in the nuclear sector and suggests that citizenship should not pose a significant barrier to employment.
  • There is a suggestion that nuclear engineering jobs may still exist in Canada, with a recommendation to consider applying to regulatory bodies, especially for bilingual candidates.
  • A later reply reinforces the idea that bilingualism could be advantageous for positions in Canadian regulatory agencies.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the availability of nuclear jobs in Canada or the impact of citizenship on job prospects in the U.S. Multiple competing views remain regarding the best path forward for the original poster.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the future of specific organizations in Canada and the overall job market in the nuclear sector. There are also unresolved questions about the implications of citizenship status on employment opportunities.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a career in nuclear engineering, particularly those with international educational backgrounds or bilingual skills, may find this discussion relevant.

Yrrepy
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Hey, I was just looking for people's feedback.

I've completed a Bachelors in Engineering Physics (Canada) and a Masters in Subatomic Physics (France -research oriented, was originally leaning towards particle physics research not anymore).

Needless to say theyres basically no nuclear jobs to look for in Canada as the Feds have put them on the chopping board.

So, I've been applying abroad for awhile and basically getting no responses from american nuclear companies (I took a strong nuclear component in my Eng degree: reactors, monte carlo etc). I've had a few interviews with areva france, but ultimately they reject me as I have no direct nuclear experience. I am fully fluent in French. I'm guessing that I'm not getting the american ones as they prefer american citizens.

So, I'm now looking at Nuclear Eng Master's abroad, I've got my eyes on a specific one in France (INSTN) but I also keep thinking that maybe an American one would be good. It is my home continent and maybe I would eventaully tire of beaing abroad (I don't really consider Canada to America as being abroad). And nuclear looks like it's finally back on the upswing in the States.

I very much like the French culture and being surrounded by other cultures. I feel I should do this Master's in the country I intend to work in. I've no intention of doing a PhD. I see myself working for someone like westinghouse or areva or ge in reactor core design.

Any thoughts?

If I did a Master's in the states would I still face major barriers by my lacking citizenship?
 
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Toshiba/Westinghouse, AREVA-US and GEH/GNF are essentially it in the US.

Of course, one could look into CEA or EdF if one remains in France, or GDF-Suez (Tractabel) in Belgium.

Studsvik Scandpower would be another possibility if one is interested in reactor physics. Studsvik is the main independent in core montoring and analysis.

One's citizenship should not be a problem.
 
I'm not sure that nuclear engineering jobs are dead in Canada, although the future of AECL is uncertain. You might consider applying to one of the regulators instead, especially since you are bilingual.
 
Nay, I've been looking consistently at the CNSC (the Canadian regulator). They never have any entry level jobs. And you having bilingualism should be a huge boon for that.
 

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