Job Skills Recent BS in Comp Sci graduate looking to get into fusion

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on seeking career advice for entering the fusion energy field, particularly for someone with a background in computer science and a desire to transition into fusion research or industry roles. The individual has a challenging academic history, initially graduating with a low GPA but later achieving a high average after returning to school. They express concerns about lacking the necessary physics or engineering background for fusion jobs, despite recognizing the value of software engineering skills in the industry. Two main options are considered: reaching out to fusion companies with a motivational cover letter or pursuing a second bachelor's degree in physics or mechanical engineering, taking advantage of tuition benefits in Texas. The conversation also touches on personal challenges, including PTSD and navigating disability appeals, highlighting the importance of finding supportive resources. The individual expresses a strong desire to contribute to fusion research, particularly in software development for simulations or machinery controls.
grizzly_vet
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Hi all, per the title I'm looking for career advice on getting into fusion. Whether that is working at a fusion company or doing research in the field.

The university I graduated from was the best I could get into at the time, due to the poor grades I left there with (~2.5 GPA) from 06-08.

I returned there in spring 2019 to resume my studies and averaged a 3.82 over the next 5 semesters while living out of my car (PTSD and money issues). Although my goal since returning has been to work in fusion, I stuck with CS to complete my degree before my GI Bill benefits ran out. To finish in time I was also taking pretty difficult course loads 3 semesters in a row, with 5 courses (3 of which were CS, not engineering/physics level difficulty, but often huge programming workloads for each).

I don't think I have the physics/engineering background to get a job with a fusion company, even though I know software engineering is useful pretty much everywhere these days.

My current thoughts are to either:

1) Try and email fusion companies with my admittedly meh resume and a thorough cover letter explaining my high levels of motivation to work my ass off and be an asset however I can.

2) Return to university for a 2nd bachelors in either physics (knowing I would need to work to a PhD) or mechanical engineering (maybe less likely to need grad school).

I'm from Texas originally and with the Hazelwood Act I could attend any Texas public university I get accepted to tuition free for up to 150 hours now that I've used up my GI Bill. So money isn't a huge obstacle in returning to university.

Thanks for reading, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
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grizzly_vet said:
I returned there in spring 2019 to resume my studies and averaged a 3.82 over the next 5 semesters
Well done, and thank you for your service. Sorry to hear about the PTSD, and I hope you have good resources to help you with that. (If not, please PM me by clicking on my avatar and "Start a conversation")

So is your goal to write simulation software in fusion research?
 
Well done, and thank you for your service. Sorry to hear about the PTSD, and I hope you have good resources to help you with that. (If not, please PM me by clicking on my avatar and "Start a conversation")

Thank you and I appreciate that. Part of the problem has been an 8 year disability appeal with the VA that thankfully was resolved in my favor December of last year. I've been avoiding therapy as the 8 or so that I've been to in the past haven't been very helpful. I know I need to keep looking for someone I do like, life has just been very unstable these past few years.

So is your goal to write simulation software in fusion research?

I would enjoy doing that or writing embedded software for the machinery controls/sensors. I really just want to be involved.
 
berkeman said:
Well done, and thank you for your service. Sorry to hear about the PTSD, and I hope you have good resources to help you with that. (If not, please PM me by clicking on my avatar and "Start a conversation")

So is your goal to write simulation software in fusion research?
Probably should have you used the quote function so you'd get notified instead of just using quotes in-line haha.
 
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