Does Nuclear Engineering give good job oppurtunities?

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>I'm currently a student in a community college, and just finished my first semester. Lately, I've been thinking a lot about what kind of engineering major I want to pursue, and the one that I'm most interested is Nuclear Engineering. Were I to do this, I would almost certainly go to NC State, as I could pay in-state tuition and live at home. </p>

<p>However, reading about Nuclear Engineering has caused me to wonder whether it is a good field with regard to job placement. I've also seen conflicting reports about unemployment, as some say it has a very high rate while others say it has a very low rate. </p>

<p>Basically, what I'm asking is whether a Nuclear Engineering degree from NC State would let me get a good job after graduation. I don't intend to go to graduate school, so these questions refer to bachelor's degrees only. </p>

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<p>You can find employment data (and forecast) on the Bureau of Statistics website:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm#17-0000”>http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_stru.htm#17-0000&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Job outlook (growth), from 2012 to 2022 is 9% (As fast as average).</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/nuclear-engineers.htm”>http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/nuclear-engineers.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>You can compare this to other fields, such as BME (27%) and ME (5%). Keep in mind this is only a forecast. Also, a field with lower job growth, may have less competition than one with a higher growth rate (it may be easier getting that NE job than a BME job). It’s a place to start (and compare majors), but it should just be one factor out of many you use to choose your major.</p>

<p>The field is in flux, as we continue to have issues getting new reactors built (while the old ones age). It has it’s advantages (working for utilities or the federal government), but do your research.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the reply. I’ve seen the BLS projections, but are they really a good indicator? I find it rather strange that the so-called “big three” (ChE, ME, EE) engineering types are all listed as below average. I took particular notice of the fact that Chemical Engineering, the other field that really interests me, is listed by the BLS as having the poorest growth out of the three. Are these engineering fields really less desirable than specialized ones like NE?</p>

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Statistics are funny things…

First, pick the field you’re going to be about and can see your self being involved with for 30+ years and not whatever happens to be the hot field today (what’s “hot” tends to go in cycles).

Is Nuclear Engineering more “desirable” because it’s projected growth is 9% vs. ME’s 5%? Or is ME’s is more “desirable” because it’s going to grow a base of 258K jobs by 12,000, vs NE’s base of 20,000 jobs that will grow by only 1,900? Both fields will have enough “entry” positions to support the number of engineering graduating with each degree.

When I look at these statistics, I get a sense of the number of folks working in each occupation, where the jobs are located, what are the top industries for folks with this type of degree, and how fast it may be growing.

If I was thinking of going into NE, I would notice that salaries look fine (compared to other engineers), that jobs are mostly in Power Generation, and then Federal Government and research; that the highest paying jobs are in consulting and research; and that jobs are much more common in states like Virginia (Fed’s) and Tennessee (power generation) and rare in states with neither (Oregon, Arkansas, etc.).

Based on that data, I would know which industries to target. If I wanted to go into power generation, I would look to get internships and co-ops. After a few years, I may then want to go back to school for my MS and then move to a Federal Government (or consulting) role.

If I wanted to do research, then plan on getting a MS and then a PhD and focus on undergraduate research (vs. internships). Most universities that offer a NE program do a decent job of supporting undergraduate research, but if yours does not, then that would be a red flag if you’re thinking of going the NE-Research route.

Good Luck!

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I like your decision making process @Gator88NE‌