Nuclear Engineering as a viable profession?

[onlypolar]

Hello everyone,

I'm brand new to the forums, though I've been going through the forums daily for months. I'm a high school junior at present, which means that the all-too familiar career discussions come up often. I'm torn between EE, pre med, and nuclear engineering. Truth be told, I very much inclined towards nuclear engineering, but my parents are dead against that. I'm just wondering if you guys could give me some information regarding that field. It'd be wonderful if anyone can help. Here are some of the questions that I have:
1) How many years of education do I need to start off from a respectable post?
2) How is the job market? How long will it take for me to find a job?
3) How is the job like?
4) Do you spend the entire time inside a reactor, or will you be placed elsewhere, taking short trips to the reactors?
5) Any good universities? (anywhere in Texas would be very ideal)

Thank you so much!

 

[WatermelonPig]

I can only answer like half of your questions:

-yes there will be plenty of jobs as 1/3 of current nuclear engineers are retiring in a decade and Obama may or may not also do something to increase jobs
-Texas A&M has a great program
-I believe that nuclear engineers will usually not be at the reactor itself (but don't quote me on it)

 

[FAlonso]

Nuclear Energy is the best deal for future so it's going to grow. I believe if you go for it you won't be disappointed at all. Wind, solar etc may have their charms but they are not a complete package like nuclear

 

[Shaun_W]

Unless people go back to living in caves or are happy with wind turbines being literally everywhere, nuclear energy is the future. So I think that nuclear engineering is probably quite a viable profession.

When people's lights start going off, that might spur governments into investment.

 

[thegreenlaser]

If your parents are dead against nuclear engineering because of moral reasons, I would avoid going into it unless you can convince them to change their views on it. Cutting ties with your family is not a good thing to do. I'm not accusing you of rebelling or anything, but I would try and get your parents to support you before trying to do nuclear engineering. Keep doing research like you seem to be doing, get clear evidence to present to them, and I'm sure you'll win them over; just try not to fight with them over it. You definitely don't want a sour relationship with your parents as you go into adulthood.