Are there any nuclear engineers out there who can advise me on how to help my son know if he likes nuclear engineering?
There are not many of these programs around, and I am at a loss at helping him find out if he would enjoy that field.
I am not a nuclear engineer, but I do work in the nuclear power industry as a mechanical engineer. What about nuclear engineering does your son find interesting? Reason I ask, is that I have met many HS students over the years that have asked me about nuclear engineering and a lot of the work (specifically in the power industry) is not really nuclear engineering. The bulk of it is mechanical, civil, and electrical. If the interest really is in the core/fuel/reactor design, then he is looking in the right direction, but I cannot really provide any meaningful insight.
@decidesomehow thanks - I think the science appeals to him and perhaps the idea of doing something unusual. I am not sure these are the right reasons, but I was just wondering about ways he could find out if that field is for him.
I know UTK has a good nuclear engineering program - maybe I can email someone there.
Are you asking because your son expressed an interest? The biggest nuclear engineering program in the US is with the US Navy.
UTK - UT Knoxville? If so, TVA may be a good local resource. (assuming you are in TN)
@DecideSomeHow yes - UT Knoxville - will see if they have a career day or something.
@NoVADad99 hadn’t thought about the Navy - will look into it. The nuclear engineering thing was something he was interested in (not me haha although I’m sure it’s a rewarding field).
The Navy nuclear engineering program is the most prestigious and rigorous one.
novadad - for the navy program, are you referring to operations by navy personnel? If so, I will agree that they have the best plants in the US. However, they do very little true engineering/design - most of that expertise is handled by contractors. So, depending upon where someone’s true interest lies, a decision needs to be on the path one takes.
I think both JPL and Lawrence Livermore lab have some internships for nuclear engineering major but I think you have to be at least in college.
Nuclear Engineer just has a cool ring to it, sort of like Rocket Science. The problem is that the field has narrowed substantially. After Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukishima, the level of enthusiasm for nuclear power has waned significantly. There are only 22 ABET accredited programs and two of them are in the military (Air Force at Wright-Patterson and Army at West Point). Job opportunities will be fairly limited. Not that he won’t be able to find a job, but they won’t be scattered like all over the nation like Civil, EE and ME jobs. Wish him luck.