Suggest to me which engineering major should I go for

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the choice of engineering majors for a high school student interested in pursuing a career in nuclear engineering, specifically in practical applications such as power plants or shipyards. The conversation explores various engineering disciplines, their relevance to the nuclear field, and considerations for studying abroad.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests pursuing a mechanical engineering degree, arguing it offers broader job opportunities in power plants and marine industries compared to nuclear engineering, especially for foreign nationals.
  • Another participant questions the feasibility of entering the nuclear energy field with an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering and whether it would allow for a subsequent postgraduate degree in nuclear engineering.
  • A participant mentions the importance of considering job availability based on nationality and the potential limitations of a nuclear engineering degree for foreign students.
  • There is a suggestion to explore specific universities and programs that are both affordable and respected, with links provided for further research.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the best engineering major to pursue, with some advocating for mechanical engineering due to its versatility, while others consider electrical engineering as a viable option for future studies in nuclear engineering. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the optimal path for the original poster.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of job market conditions for foreign nationals and the potential need to study abroad, which may limit options based on the original poster's circumstances.

risp
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I am currently in a high school IB student with Physics, Chemistry and Maths as HL.
I want to take up a career in nuclear engineering but not as a researcher instead I want to solve real life problems and work in a power plant or a shipyard which makes nuclear-powered submarines and ships.
I do not want to study for the next 10 years of my life instead I want to start working after my undergraduate or postgraduate but not a PHD.
So can you please suggest me which engineering major should I go for ?
If possible can you also suggest some good college which I can afford ( $15k-20k including living cost for international students)
Thanks in advance
 
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Mechanical. And you should be able to find a decent university without having to go to another country.
.
Why don't I suggest nuclear? We do have that degree in the US. However, many of the jobs you want would not be available to a foreign national. However a power plant in any country has need for a mechanical engineer. And any marine industry also has need for mechanical engineering. And If nuclear is available, you might be able to get onto the worksite with your mechanical. Without a nuclear industry, you won't find work vs a mechanical engineer would have a good chance of working in all of the above fields as is.
 
CalcNerd said:
Mechanical. And you should be able to find a decent university without having to go to another country.
.
Why don't I suggest nuclear? We do have that degree in the US. However, many of the jobs you want would not be available to a foreign national. However a power plant in any country has need for a mechanical engineer. And any marine industry also has need for mechanical engineering. And If nuclear is available, you might be able to get onto the worksite with your mechanical. Without a nuclear industry, you won't find work vs a mechanical engineer would have a good chance of working in all of the above fields as is.

Thanks for your answer.

As an IB student in India, I have no other option, I have to apply in a university outside India.
My dad is suggesting me to take electrical with computer science because it has more scope. Is a job in the nuclear energy field still possible with an undergraduate in Electrical engineering? And is it still possible to do a postgraduate in nuclear engineering after my undergraduate in Electrical engineering
 
risp said:
Is a job in the nuclear energy field still possible with an undergraduate in Electrical engineering? And is it still possible to do a postgraduate in nuclear engineering after my undergraduate in Electrical engineering

Why not ?

two suggestions come to mind

See this thread:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/nuclear-engineering-courses.882759/

take a look at this school, it's where i went in 1960's because it was both affordable and respected in the US midwest.
http://futurestudents.mst.edu/visit/index.html?utm_source=v3topbar&utm_content=visit_link
 

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