<p>One of the careers I have been considering is nuclear engineering. While the field is currently in a slump, it seems to me its only a matter of time before it makes a comeback (the only current realistic source of alternative energy). Do I have to major in it, or can I enter as a grad student with a math/science degree. Any thoughts? My other thought is going med. Anyway to do both?</p>
<p>The nuclear part of a nuclear power plant is pretty small and it is a solved problem. It seems that there are few professions with less opportunities than NE. The possible resurgence in building power plants is going to emply many engineers, but few nukes. </p>
<p>It is also regulation intensive. The typical nuclear engineer spends 15% of his time doing calculations and 85% documenting and verifying. </p>
<p>The research end is largely a sham. Pebble bed reactors, fusion reactors, HTGR - all nice for producing PhD's, but not much for producing megawatts. </p>
<p>That leaves medical related research and bombs. There might be something there - not my fields, I can't say.</p>
<p>If you have a physics undergrad, then you can usually get an MS NE in two years.</p>
<p>My college roomie majored in EE, took bio electives and went to med school.</p>
<p>Bump... (ten characters)</p>
<p>rhymes with lump</p>