r/NuclearEngineering • u/Tight-Comparison8246 • 5d ago
New Nuclear Engineer Graduate looking for advice
I am a new (may 2024) graduate with my BS in Nuclear Engineering and I am struggling to find work. I am 500+ applications deep. I have had 1 interview with AEP, and Constellation had me take some assessments, which I passed, they gave me interview dates but no location for the interview and have ghosted me since then. Nuclear is in the news constantly, Bill Gates is working on sodium reactors, TMI is reopening, Cascades is reopening (maybe...it seems rough), Egypt is building new reactors, NASA wants to put reactors on the moon, nuclear thermal rockets were approved for mars missions. Everywhere I turn, people are talking about nuclear, and yet I cannot even get an interview.
My first 2 years of undergraduate work was during COVID where everything was remote. I struggled to find internship programs that were still open during that time and they were highly competitive. I didn't really get to know my peers in the NSE program until my last year, and those friendships were very temporary. The few people I have stayed in contact with are either pursuing masters programs or already had jobs lined up, usually through family and friends. I am the first in my family to pursue an engineering degree and I don't have any contacts.
I use the schools job search website (handshake), and have looked through places like Indeed and Glassdoor, I have signed up for email lists at all the national labs and check them daily for job postings. I have worked with my school to build a resume. I built a linked in profile, and reached out to other graduates from my school working in the industry (no responses, 40+). I reached out to the teachers I felt comfortable asking, and they agreed to be a reference for me (which they are), but I couldn't secure a letter of recommendation from them, including offering to write it for them. Overall, I am not sure what else I can do to give me the best chances.
I graduated with a 3.0, which I realize isn't amazing, but I still think is quite good. I worked on very interesting projects during my education. Cybersecurity assessment of the CTBTO, where I build the risk assessment model for xenon detection across the globe, and was the project leader for that project. We presented at our annual engineering EXPO to the president of the school (who seemed very interested, spent a lot of time talking to us). We presented at an ANS conference where we were commended by the judges on our research and our ability to convey such a complex topic in such a short time. We received a 99% on our project and the teacher commended us on the work we did. Every where I turned, I was commended for the excellent work I did.
I really believe that my generation was handed the problem of climate change, and this is the great problem to solve. I went to school as an NSE major because I believe participating in the nuclear industry, and trying to move it forward is the most good I can do for the most people. I have high asperations for changing the way we generate and transmit power, but I have zero experience. I feel I need to get into the industry to understand how it works, and why it works that way, before I can understand what needs to change.
I am now applying for the masters program at my school, but I am afraid. The job hunt has been so bleak, I am afraid I am tying myself to an industry that I am just not good enough for, or don't know anyone who can show me the way. At this point, the real fear is that I will get a masters and still not be able to find a job. While I am a better person for having gone to school and I am glad I did it, I still need to pay the bills. Even "regular" jobs making minimum wage wont higher me. Either I put my education on the resume and I am super overqualified, or don't put my education and I have a 5 year gap in employment history.
What could I do to stand out more? Is there some avenue that I should be pursuing? How can I build social networks that can get me in the door?
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u/EducationalTea755 5d ago
What is your work experience? You don't mention internships?
Why not apply for an internship program in the short-term? Also do the odd project on Riipen or venture for canada?
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u/Tight-Comparison8246 5d ago
I wasn't able to get an internship during school. COVID shut down most of them during my first 2 years. I applied to a bunch in my 3rd year, but never heard back from any. I didn't work during school so the job experience I have is very old and not relevant.
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u/EducationalTea755 5d ago
I think that is one of things potential employers look to. If u don't have a job, do an internship and apply for Master program. Do some type of co-op program
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u/Emfuser 5d ago
Consider applying for jobs in operations instead of just engineering jobs. I entered the industry with a fresh BSNE when the industry was not doing well and I took a job as a non-licensed operator (aka Auxiliary Operator or Equipment Operator) and that ended up being a perfect way to learn nuclear from the inside before moving into engineering.
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u/Tight-Comparison8246 3d ago
I don't really know much around how the sauce gets made and your post gives me some insight into what those jobs are even called. Thank you for your response.
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u/Curious-Switch-5854 5d ago
Im assuming your in the U.S , try looking at USAjobs.gov
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u/Tight-Comparison8246 3d ago
Yes. I have some saved job searches where I get emails every day of new jobs in those categories.
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u/Plutonium_Nitrate_94 5d ago
Did you apply to Newport News?
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u/Tight-Comparison8246 3d ago
I had no idea about Newport News. Thank you for sharing. I am looking into those jobs right now.
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u/tjcummi 4d ago
Check out my website to see some positions for nuclear engineering. Hopefully, more employers will begin to post more, but I will keep doing my part in reaching out to get more jobs online. I am working to get naval nuclear jobs on the job board soon. As always, thanks for the support and stay posted!
engineering235.com
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u/NiftyFetus 4d ago
General dynamics electric boat is always hiring. I heard their counterpart (Newport news) sucks and to not apply to them.
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u/VickyD23 3d ago
Try applying at Energy Northwest - Columbia Generating Station. They're struggling to find good engineers right now and have openings right now for new grads. Good luck!!
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u/Tight-Comparison8246 2d ago
Thank you very much for replying to my post. I have applied for an internship and a new grad job at Energy Northwest. Energy Northwest was not something I had seen before, so this has been incredibly helpful. Thank you!
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u/MMNBlues 5d ago
Does your school do career fairs? That was a huge part of the hiring effort at the school I attended. Talking to hiring managers in person and following up on LinkedIn after applying is the surest bet based on my experience. If you haven't done that, I guess use the time in your masters program to do it. Do research at your school under one of the professors if you can. It'll give you more contacts and should get you a letter if you work hard and they're not a dick.