Engineering Nuclear Engineering in Australia

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Pursuing a career as a Nuclear Engineer in Australia presents challenges due to the lack of local undergraduate programs specifically in Nuclear Engineering. The suggested path involves obtaining a degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related science, followed by a Master's in Nuclear Engineering at UNSW. This raises concerns about job competitiveness, particularly when applying for positions overseas against candidates with dedicated Nuclear Engineering degrees. However, it is noted that many nuclear engineers come from mechanical engineering backgrounds, and having a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering along with a Master's in Nuclear Engineering is unlikely to disadvantage job seekers in the market. The specialized nature of nuclear engineering degrees, which build upon mechanical engineering principles, supports this perspective.
Sarrum
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I am currently in Grade 10 in Australia and wish to pursue a career as a Nuclear Engineer. And unfortunately, there are no universities in Australia that offer Nuclear Engineering as a degree. Instead, I would have to obtain a degree in any other form of engineering (Mechanical) or science, then study a Masters in Nuclear Engineering at UNSW. So I would end of with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and a Masters in Nuclear Engineering.

To get a job in this field, I would have to work overseas where I am competing for jobs with others who hold a degree in Nuclear Engineering, whereas, I would only have a masters.

Would I be at any disadvantage when it comes to being hired by companies because I would have a masters, and others would have full degrees?
Thanks
 
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Sarrum said:
I am currently in Grade 10 in Australia and wish to pursue a career as a Nuclear Engineer. And unfortunately, there are no universities in Australia that offer Nuclear Engineering as a degree. Instead, I would have to obtain a degree in any other form of engineering (Mechanical) or science, then study a Masters in Nuclear Engineering at UNSW. So I would end of with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and a Masters in Nuclear Engineering.

To get a job in this field, I would have to work overseas where I am competing for jobs with others who hold a degree in Nuclear Engineering, whereas, I would only have a masters.

Would I be at any disadvantage when it comes to being hired by companies because I would have a masters, and others would have full degrees?
Thanks

What do you mean "full degrees", Kemosabe?
 
Sarrum said:
I am currently in Grade 10 in Australia and wish to pursue a career as a Nuclear Engineer. And unfortunately, there are no universities in Australia that offer Nuclear Engineering as a degree. Instead, I would have to obtain a degree in any other form of engineering (Mechanical) or science, then study a Masters in Nuclear Engineering at UNSW. So I would end of with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and a Masters in Nuclear Engineering.

To get a job in this field, I would have to work overseas where I am competing for jobs with others who hold a degree in Nuclear Engineering, whereas, I would only have a masters.

Would I be at any disadvantage when it comes to being hired by companies because I would have a masters, and others would have full degrees?
Thanks

The way nuclear engineers degrees are set up, they're essentially more specialized versions of mechanical engineering (adding courses like reactor physics and whatnot); lots of mechanical engineers become nuclear engineers; I don't think a BS ME and a master in NE would hurt you in the job market.
 
clope023 said:
The way nuclear engineers degrees are set up, they're essentially more specialized versions of mechanical engineering (adding courses like reactor physics and whatnot); lots of mechanical engineers become nuclear engineers; I don't think a BS ME and a master in NE would hurt you in the job market.

Thanks. I was just worried that employers would pick those with a N.E. degree over one with a BS ME and a Masters in NE
 
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