An office, a power station or a construction site could be the home of a nuclear engineer. Nuclear science and technology continue to advance regardless of their location. Some people have negative opinions about the nuclear sector, but these are very few. It is a rewarding field with many benefits.
Perspectives on the job
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics nuclear engineers have a good job outlook. The field is expected to grow by 4 percent annually until 2020, but not as fast as other fields. Due to the increasing dependence on natural gas, the nuclear industry may see a decrease in its number of engineers. There will also be more medical applications of nuclear science, which will increase the need for qualified engineers.
Nuclear engineering could be a career choice if you are passionate about science and excel at mathematics and statistics. There are many job opportunities in this area. You might be able to become a manager or supervisor in nuclear engineering, or even a sales representative depending on what your specialization is. Remember to keep up with your continuing education, professional certifications, and other activities. Although job growth is unpredictable in this field, there are many career options available for nuclear engineers.
Education requirements
Many options are available to students who desire to become nuclear engineers. They can complete a four-year degree program at an accredited university and complete a senior design project while working at an employer. Dual-degree programs in nuclear engineering can be offered by some schools. Students can earn their bachelor's or master's degrees in as little as five years. Typically, a nuclear engineer's curriculum includes core coursework in radiochemistry and reactor analysis. A variety of advanced courses are offered in medical physics and enterprise management. Students often complete research-intensive thesis projects.
Nuclear engineers can move up to various positions depending on their job requirements. They may be technical specialists, managers or supervisors. However, in order to remain competitive, nuclear engineers must continually expand their knowledge of the field and maintain their professional certifications. The job market is constantly changing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the number of positions in this field will drop by eight percent between 2020-2030.
Work environment
Although the work environment for nuclear engineers is varied, most involve working in teams. They usually supervise technicians and less-educated staff. They may also be responsible to manage larger research projects. They might also be responsible to train other employees. Safety is paramount in this field. An engineer in nuclear engineering must be aware of the radiation levels they are exposed.
While the work environment for nuclear engineers can be technical, it can also allow for creativity. Many work in design engineering, creating new nuclear power devices or equipment for the processing and disposal of radioactive waste materials. Some work in nuclear research and develop new equipment and systems that aid scientists in understanding matter, energy, and other topics.
Salary
A graduate trainee position is the most common way to get a job in nuclear engineering. You will usually work slowly and steadily. Depending on your experience, you can advance to a management role or a supervisory role. You can eventually choose to specialize in a specific area of the field. Whatever your choice, nuclear engineers must be willing to learn more.
Many employers can employ nuclear engineers. They may work for a private company, a government agency or a research organisation, depending on where they are located. They might also work for the nuclear power industry or manufacturing.
FAQ
Elon Musk: What kind of engineer would you be?
He is an inventor who enjoys thinking outside the box.
He's also an avid risk-taker.
He isn't afraid of trying new ideas and is willing to take chances.
Elon Musk is an excellent example of someone who thinks differently than others. He doesn't follow what everyone else says. Instead, he tests out his ideas before deciding if they worked. He changes his ideas if they don’t work and then he tries again until he has something that works. This way, he gets better at solving problems and developing innovative ideas.
What jobs are there for engineers?
Engineers can find jobs in almost every industry including manufacturing, transportation energy, communications, finance and government.
Engineers with specializations in particular areas can often find work at companies or organizations that specialize.
As an example, engineers might work for telecommunications providers, medical device producers, or computer chip companies.
Software developers may work for websites or mobile app developers.
Computer programmers could work for tech companies like Google or Microsoft, Apple, Amazon or Facebook.
Are there special qualifications required to study engineering in Canada?
No. No. All that's required is a good grade in your GCSEs. Some universities require that applicants achieve certain academic achievements before they can be accepted. For example, Cambridge University requires applicants to obtain A*-C grades in Maths, English Language, and Science.
If you do not meet these requirements, you'll need to take additional courses in order to be prepared for university entrance tests.
You might need to learn additional math/science subjects, as well as a course in a foreign language. Talk to your school guidance counselors for more information.
Statistics
- 8% Civil engineers solve infrastructure problems. (snhu.edu)
- 14% of Industrial engineers design systems that combine workers, machines, and more to create a product or service to eliminate wastefulness in production processes, according to BLS efficiently. (snhu.edu)
External Links
How To
Which type of engineering should you study?
For anyone who is interested in technology, engineering is a great career choice. There are many types and levels of engineers. Each type has its own set skills and responsibilities. Some are skilled in mechanical design and others specialize in electrical systems.
Engineers often work directly alongside clients to design buildings or bridges. Others might spend their time behind the scenes developing programs or analyzing data.
You can choose to be an engineer of any type, but you will still learn how to use scientific principles to solve real-world issues.
Along with technical skills, students learn valuable business and communication skills. Engineers often work with accountants, managers and lawyers to develop innovative products and services.
As a student, topics include biology, science, chemistry, biology, and physics. You'll also learn how to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Engineers have many advancement opportunities, regardless of whether they work for a large firm or a small company. Many people find work right after graduating. But there are also many options for those seeking further education.
You can earn a bachelor's in engineering. This will provide you with a strong foundation for your future career. A master's degree can be pursued to further your training in specialized areas.
A doctorate program allows you to delve deeper into a particular field. The typical Ph.D. program is completed after four years of graduate study.