CASEnergy Employment Brochure 12.14.11
Content
How Can I Work in the Nuclear Energy Industry?
2
3
Introduction
Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 What You Should Know About Careers in Nuclear Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Nuclear Education & Training Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Financial Support & Scholarship Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Nuclear Energy Facility Access Authorization Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Directory of Associates Degree Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Directory of Undergraduate & Graduate Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Directory of Undergraduate Minor & Graduate Certificate Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 How Can I Work in the Nuclear Energy Industry? Careers are available in the nuclear industry. This guide has been created to help job seekers find the education and training opportunities they need in order to work in the nuclear energy industry.
With new facility construction underway and 50 percent of the nuclear workforce either eligible for retirement (39 percent) or expected to leave their jobs (11 percent) within the next five years, the need at both current and new nuclear energy facilities could translate into tens of thousands of jobs to build, maintain and support new and existing reactors.
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5
What You Should Know About Careers in Nuclear Energy
Abundant Job Market Nuclear energy facilities typically operate up to 60 years, providing long-term career opportunities to eligible candidates. Due to natural attrition rates, there will be an increase in job availability over the next few years. With companies working to build new nuclear energy facilities in the United States and worldwide, they will be looking to hire new workers to cover their expanded work scope as well as to replace retirees. Projections show that to maintain the current workforce, the industry will need to hire approximately 25,000 new workers by 2016. Nuclear energy professionals help produce 20 percent of America’s power and 70 percent of our nation’s clean-air electricity in a cost-efficient and reliable manner without emitting greenhouse gases. It’s a win-win-win: nuclear energy is good for you, good for the U.S. economy and good for the environment. Workers Receive Competitive Salaries & Diverse Opportunities Careers in nuclear energy offer challenging work with highly competitive salaries and benefits. Jobs at U.S. nuclear facilities today pay 36 percent more than the average salaries in their local areas. In addition, every work day is unique, with opportunities to resolve problems and improve processes. Opportunities are available in individual or team environments. Creativity and responsibility are rewarded with career advancement and professional development. Working at a Nuclear Energy Facility is Safe Nuclear energy facilities are among the safest and most secure industrial facilities in the United States. Multiple layers of physical security and high levels of operational performance protect facility workers, the public and the environment. The American nuclear energy industry has long demonstrated its commitment to not only maintaining the highest levels of safety, but continuously updating and improving its best practices to make safe facilities even safer.
Nuclear Education & Training Opportunities
Preparing for a Nuclear Energy Career Some of the typical paths into nuclear energy careers include two-year colleges, universities, the U.S. military and union apprenticeship programs. The education and training provided by these types of organizations are highly sought after by the nuclear energy industry. With a wide range of job opportunities, the nuclear energy industry hires individuals with as little as a high school diploma through those with doctorates. The industry prefers individuals with skills and knowledge applicable to the nuclear energy industry. Associate Degrees Individuals interested in becoming non-licensed operators, radiation protection technicians and maintenance personnel can obtain a nuclear energy technology degree from the community colleges and trade associations listed on page 10. The programs listed are a part of the industry sponsored Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program. Graduates of these programs are eligible to receive a nationally recognized portable credential, which aligns with the industry’s required initial training program. Undergraduate & Graduate Degrees Individuals interested in becoming nuclear engineers or health physicists can attend one of the universities listed on page 12. Nuclear utilities typically hire college graduates with bachelor degrees while nuclear vendors prefer candidates with graduate degrees. Contrary to popular belief, the majority of engineers employed in the nuclear energy industry are non-nuclear engineers. The industry has a high demand for mechanical, electrical, civil and chemical engineers who have an understanding of power systems. Engineering students looking to increase their marketability in the nuclear energy industry can obtain a minor or certificate in nuclear engineering from the universities listed on page 14.
The nuclear industry will need to hire approximately 25,000 new workers by 2016.
Employees working at U.S. nuclear facilities are paid 36 percent more on average than other people in their local communities.
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[continued]
Military Service U.S. military personnel often take advantage of entrylevel and mid-career engineering, technician, operator and security positions. Veterans from all branches of the U.S. military should consider applying for vacancies. In particular, the U.S. Navy’s nuclear propulsion school provides graduates with fundamentals and components education directly applicable to careers at nuclear energy facilities. Apprenticeships Many operators, technicians and maintenance personnel are represented by a union. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Sheet Metal Workers International Association, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters and the Union Millwrights all participate in the Nuclear Mechanic Apprenticeship Program (NMAP). NMAP documents the training provided to apprentices from these unions and aligns it to the required training at nuclear energy facilities.
Financial Support & Scholarship Opportunities
There are a variety of options to help reduce the financial burden of nuclear training and education. Learn As You Earn Both unions and the military employ a “learn as you earn” model. Union apprentices receive classroom and on-the-job training while receiving a paycheck. Military completion of these programs makes applicants highlymarketable to nuclear energy companies. Scholarships & Fellowships There are many national scholarships and fellowship opportunities available to individuals who are looking to study fields related to nuclear energy. More information can be found on the websites of the organizations that sponsor these opportunities: • Industry Scholarships & Fellowships www.nei.org/careersandeducation/ educationandresources/scholarships/ industryschlrflw/ • American Nuclear Society Scholarships & Fellowships www.new.ans.org/honors/ scholarships • Nuclear Regulatory Commission Scholarships & Fellowships www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/grants.html#sf • Department of Energy Scholarships & Fellowships www.neup.gov Prospective students should ask their colleges and universities about opportunities available at each institution. How To Apply Job opportunities at nuclear energy facilities are available around the country. You must apply for vacancies via each nuclear energy company’s recruiting website. The Nuclear Energy Institute maintains an online jobs board that lists many of the nuclear energy company’s recruiting websites to simplify the search. The website can be accessed at www.nei.org/careersandeducation.
As many as 3,500 workers will be needed at a single site during peak periods of new nuclear energy facility construction.
8
9
Nuclear Energy Facility Access Authorization Requirements
To ensure that nuclear energy production is in the best and most capable hands, all industry employees are subject to pre- and post-employment examinations. Pre-Employment Background Investigations Safety and security are always a priority at nuclear energy facilities. Therefore, the nuclear energy industry is legally required to perform comprehensive background screenings of all potential employees to ensure that they are trustworthy and reliable before granting them unescorted access to a nuclear energy facility. Background screenings include a thorough review of an applicant’s employment, educational, criminal, military and credit history. Minor infractions like traffic violations and misdemeanors may not preclude applicants from receiving employment as long as all of this information is fully disclosed on the personal history questionnaire. Applicants must also submit to psychological, drug and alcohol testing. These are routine assessments for all nuclear energy employees. Pre-Employment Examinations Many nuclear energy companies require entry-level personnel to pass pre-employment aptitude examinations. These tests help the utility determine who will be successful in the company’s training programs. Applicants should refer to each company’s recruitment website for additional information about required pre-employment aptitude examinations. Continuous Background Investigations All employees are continuously monitored for impaired performance. If hired, all employees will be required to participate in random drug and alcohol testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m not a nuclear engineer. Is there a job for me in the nuclear energy industry? Yes. It is a common myth that nuclear energy facilities only employ nuclear engineers. The industry needs all kinds of technicians, craft workers and other professionals in positions ranging from entry-level to mid-career and those with military training and service experience. Positions available in the nuclear industry include: • • • • Reactor Operators Pipefitters Sheet Metal Workers Radiation Protection Specialists • Masons • Electricians • Chemical, Mechanical & Electrical Engineers • Carpenters • Heavy Equipment Operators • Welders • Millwrights take these tests before starting full-time employment and then periodically throughout their entire career. I’ve been accepted into a nuclear training or degree program, but I don’t have any money to pay the tuition. Is there a scholarship available for someone like me? Yes. Students can apply for a scholarship offered to incoming freshmen through the American Nuclear Society. Please note that the application deadline for this scholarship is in the early spring. Are there minority scholarship opportunities in the nuclear energy industry? Yes. Organizations such as the American Association of Blacks in Energy offer scholarships, as do Historically Black Colleges and Universities with applicable programs. I own a small business. Are there opportunities for small and minority businesses to work with the nuclear energy industry? If so, what are they? Yes. Beyond the industry, there are a wide range of small and minority businesses that are instrumental to the production of nuclear energy. Information on how these businesses can get involved is available from the Department of Energy and can be accessed at http://energy.gov/diversity/working-us/small-businesses.
Safety and security are always a priority at nuclear energy facilities.
What kind of educational background do I need to work at a nuclear facility? The educational background necessary to work at a nuclear facility varies a great deal. Depending on the role, individuals can qualify for consideration with anything from a high school diploma to a doctorate. I passed a drug and alcohol screening test during my previous job. Do I need to take these tests again? Yes. Nuclear energy employees are required to pass drug and alcohol screenings. All employees should expect to
10
Community Colleges & Trade Schools Nuclear Energy Technology Associate Degree Programs
Arizona Estrella Mountain Community College www.estrellamountain.edu California Miracosta College www.miracosta.edu Connecticut Three Rivers Community College www.trcc.commnet.edu Florida Indian River State College www.ircc.edu Miami Dade College www.mdc.edu Georgia Augusta Technical College www.augustatech.edu Wallace Community College www.wallace.edu Idaho ESTEC/Idaho State University www.isu.edu Kentucky West Kentucky Community & Technical College www.westkentucky.kctcs.edu Maryland College of Southern Maryland www.csmd.edu Michigan Lake Michigan Community College www.lakemichigancollege.edu Monroe County Community College www.monroeccc.edu Minnesota Dakota County Technical College www.dctc.edu St. Cloud Technical College www.sctc.edu Missouri Linn State www.linnstate.edu Nebraska Metropolitan Community College www.mccneb.edu Southeast Community College www.southeast.edu New Jersey Salem Community College www.salemcc.edu New Mexico New Mexico Jr. College www.nmjc.edu New York Excelsior College www.excelsior.edu Onondaga Community College www.sunyocc.edu Westchester Community College www.sunywcc.edu North Carolina Gaston College www.gaston.edu North Dakota Bismarck State College www.bismarckstate.edu Ohio Lakeland Community College www.Lakelandcc.edu
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[continued]
Pennsylvania Delaware County Community College www.dccc.edu Luzerne County Community College www.luzerne.edu South Carolina Aiken Technical College www.atc.edu Florence-Darlington Technical College www.fdtc.edu Midlands Technical College www.mid.tec.sc.us Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College www.octech.edu Spartanburg Technical College www.sccsc.edu Tennessee Chattanooga State Community College www.chattanoogastate.edu
Existing & New Nuclear Energy Facilities in the U.S. Existing New
Texas Brazosport College www.brazosport.edu Texas State Technical College www.tstc.edu Wharton County Junior College www.wcjc.edu
Washington Columbia Basin College www.columbiabasin.edu Wisconsin Lakeshore Technical College www.gotoltc.edu
12
Nuclear Engineering & Health Physics Undergraduate & Graduate Programs
California UC Berkeley www.berkeley.edu Colorado Air Force Institute of Technology www.afit.edu Florida University of Florida www.ufl.edu Georgia Georgia Institute of Technology www.gatech.edu Idaho Idaho State University www.isu.edu Illinois University of Illinois www.illinois.edu Indiana Purdue University www.purdue.edu Kansas Kansas State University www.k-state.edu Maine University of Maine www.umaine.edu Maryland University of Maryland www.umd.edu Massachusetts Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.mit.edu University of Massachusetts Lowell www.uml.edu Michigan University of Michigan www.umich.edu Missouri Missouri University of Science & Technology www.mst.edu University of Missouri www.missouri.edu Nevada University of Nevada go.unlv.edu New Mexico University of New Mexico www.unm.edu New York Excelsior College www.excelsior.edu Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute www.rpi.edu North Carolina North Carolina State University www.ncsu.edu Ohio Ohio State University www.osu.edu Oregon Oregon State University www.oregonstate.edu Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University www.psu.edu South Carolina South Carolina State University www.scsu.edu
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[continued]
Tennessee University of Tennessee www.utk.edu Texas Texas A&M University www.tamu.edu University of Texas www.utexas.edu University of North Texas www.unt.edu Utah University of Utah www.utah.edu Virginia Virginia Commonwealth University www.vcu.edu Wisconsin University of Wisconsin www.wisc.edu
Existing & New Nuclear Energy Facilities in the U.S. Existing New
14
Nuclear Engineering Undergraduate Minor & Graduate Certificate Programs
Alabama Auburn University www.auburn.edu/ Arizona Arizona State University www.asu.edu/ California UC Berkeley www.berkeley.edu Idaho Idaho State University www.isu.edu Indiana Purdue University www.purdue.edu Iowa Iowa State University www.iastate.edu Kansas Kansas State University www.k-state.edu Louisiana Louisiana State University www.lsu.edu Maryland University of Maryland www.umd.edu Massachusetts Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.mit.edu University of Massachusetts Lowell www.uml.edu Missouri University of Missouri www.missouri.edu New Mexico University of New Mexico www.unm.edu New York NYU Poly www.poly.edu North Carolina North Carolina State University www.ncsu.edu Ohio Ohio State University www.osu.edu Pennsylvania Drexel University www.drexel.edu Lehigh University www4.lehigh.edu University of Pittsburgh www.pitt.edu Rhode Island University of Rhode Island www.uri.edu South Carolina South Carolina State University www.scsu.edu South Dakota South Dakota State University www.sdstate.edu/ Tennessee University of Tennessee www.utk.edu
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[continued]
Texas Texas A&M University www.tamu.edu Texas Tech University www.ttu.edu/ University of Texas www.utexas.edu Utah University of Utah www.utah.edu Virginia Virginia Commonwealth University www.vcu.edu
Existing & New Nuclear Energy Facilities in the U.S. Existing New
About the Clean and Safe Energy Coalition
The Clean and Safe Energy (CASEnergy) Coalition is a national grassroots coalition formed to support the increased use of nuclear energy to ensure an environmentally clean, safe, affordable and reliable supply of electricity. Nuclear energy enhances America’s energy security and economic growth, helps attain cleaner air and improves the quality of life, health and economic well-being for all Americans. The CASEnergy Coalition’s mission is to educate the American public on the benefits of nuclear energy. The coalition represents a broad cross-section of members united in their support for nuclear energy. Members include business, environmental, academic, consumer, minority, industry and labor communities. CASEnergy needs your support. Please consider joining the mission to support nuclear expansion in the U.S. You can become a member of the CASEnergy Coalition today at: www.CleanSafeEnergy.org.
Blog: Clean Energy Buzz at blog.casenergy.org · Twitter: @CASEnergy · YouTube: CASEnergy Coalition www.CleanSafeEnergy.org · 202.338.2273
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Introduction
Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 What You Should Know About Careers in Nuclear Energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Nuclear Education & Training Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Financial Support & Scholarship Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Nuclear Energy Facility Access Authorization Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Directory of Associates Degree Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Directory of Undergraduate & Graduate Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Directory of Undergraduate Minor & Graduate Certificate Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 How Can I Work in the Nuclear Energy Industry? Careers are available in the nuclear industry. This guide has been created to help job seekers find the education and training opportunities they need in order to work in the nuclear energy industry.
With new facility construction underway and 50 percent of the nuclear workforce either eligible for retirement (39 percent) or expected to leave their jobs (11 percent) within the next five years, the need at both current and new nuclear energy facilities could translate into tens of thousands of jobs to build, maintain and support new and existing reactors.
4
5
What You Should Know About Careers in Nuclear Energy
Abundant Job Market Nuclear energy facilities typically operate up to 60 years, providing long-term career opportunities to eligible candidates. Due to natural attrition rates, there will be an increase in job availability over the next few years. With companies working to build new nuclear energy facilities in the United States and worldwide, they will be looking to hire new workers to cover their expanded work scope as well as to replace retirees. Projections show that to maintain the current workforce, the industry will need to hire approximately 25,000 new workers by 2016. Nuclear energy professionals help produce 20 percent of America’s power and 70 percent of our nation’s clean-air electricity in a cost-efficient and reliable manner without emitting greenhouse gases. It’s a win-win-win: nuclear energy is good for you, good for the U.S. economy and good for the environment. Workers Receive Competitive Salaries & Diverse Opportunities Careers in nuclear energy offer challenging work with highly competitive salaries and benefits. Jobs at U.S. nuclear facilities today pay 36 percent more than the average salaries in their local areas. In addition, every work day is unique, with opportunities to resolve problems and improve processes. Opportunities are available in individual or team environments. Creativity and responsibility are rewarded with career advancement and professional development. Working at a Nuclear Energy Facility is Safe Nuclear energy facilities are among the safest and most secure industrial facilities in the United States. Multiple layers of physical security and high levels of operational performance protect facility workers, the public and the environment. The American nuclear energy industry has long demonstrated its commitment to not only maintaining the highest levels of safety, but continuously updating and improving its best practices to make safe facilities even safer.
Nuclear Education & Training Opportunities
Preparing for a Nuclear Energy Career Some of the typical paths into nuclear energy careers include two-year colleges, universities, the U.S. military and union apprenticeship programs. The education and training provided by these types of organizations are highly sought after by the nuclear energy industry. With a wide range of job opportunities, the nuclear energy industry hires individuals with as little as a high school diploma through those with doctorates. The industry prefers individuals with skills and knowledge applicable to the nuclear energy industry. Associate Degrees Individuals interested in becoming non-licensed operators, radiation protection technicians and maintenance personnel can obtain a nuclear energy technology degree from the community colleges and trade associations listed on page 10. The programs listed are a part of the industry sponsored Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program. Graduates of these programs are eligible to receive a nationally recognized portable credential, which aligns with the industry’s required initial training program. Undergraduate & Graduate Degrees Individuals interested in becoming nuclear engineers or health physicists can attend one of the universities listed on page 12. Nuclear utilities typically hire college graduates with bachelor degrees while nuclear vendors prefer candidates with graduate degrees. Contrary to popular belief, the majority of engineers employed in the nuclear energy industry are non-nuclear engineers. The industry has a high demand for mechanical, electrical, civil and chemical engineers who have an understanding of power systems. Engineering students looking to increase their marketability in the nuclear energy industry can obtain a minor or certificate in nuclear engineering from the universities listed on page 14.
The nuclear industry will need to hire approximately 25,000 new workers by 2016.
Employees working at U.S. nuclear facilities are paid 36 percent more on average than other people in their local communities.
6
7
[continued]
Military Service U.S. military personnel often take advantage of entrylevel and mid-career engineering, technician, operator and security positions. Veterans from all branches of the U.S. military should consider applying for vacancies. In particular, the U.S. Navy’s nuclear propulsion school provides graduates with fundamentals and components education directly applicable to careers at nuclear energy facilities. Apprenticeships Many operators, technicians and maintenance personnel are represented by a union. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Sheet Metal Workers International Association, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers, United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters and the Union Millwrights all participate in the Nuclear Mechanic Apprenticeship Program (NMAP). NMAP documents the training provided to apprentices from these unions and aligns it to the required training at nuclear energy facilities.
Financial Support & Scholarship Opportunities
There are a variety of options to help reduce the financial burden of nuclear training and education. Learn As You Earn Both unions and the military employ a “learn as you earn” model. Union apprentices receive classroom and on-the-job training while receiving a paycheck. Military completion of these programs makes applicants highlymarketable to nuclear energy companies. Scholarships & Fellowships There are many national scholarships and fellowship opportunities available to individuals who are looking to study fields related to nuclear energy. More information can be found on the websites of the organizations that sponsor these opportunities: • Industry Scholarships & Fellowships www.nei.org/careersandeducation/ educationandresources/scholarships/ industryschlrflw/ • American Nuclear Society Scholarships & Fellowships www.new.ans.org/honors/ scholarships • Nuclear Regulatory Commission Scholarships & Fellowships www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/grants.html#sf • Department of Energy Scholarships & Fellowships www.neup.gov Prospective students should ask their colleges and universities about opportunities available at each institution. How To Apply Job opportunities at nuclear energy facilities are available around the country. You must apply for vacancies via each nuclear energy company’s recruiting website. The Nuclear Energy Institute maintains an online jobs board that lists many of the nuclear energy company’s recruiting websites to simplify the search. The website can be accessed at www.nei.org/careersandeducation.
As many as 3,500 workers will be needed at a single site during peak periods of new nuclear energy facility construction.
8
9
Nuclear Energy Facility Access Authorization Requirements
To ensure that nuclear energy production is in the best and most capable hands, all industry employees are subject to pre- and post-employment examinations. Pre-Employment Background Investigations Safety and security are always a priority at nuclear energy facilities. Therefore, the nuclear energy industry is legally required to perform comprehensive background screenings of all potential employees to ensure that they are trustworthy and reliable before granting them unescorted access to a nuclear energy facility. Background screenings include a thorough review of an applicant’s employment, educational, criminal, military and credit history. Minor infractions like traffic violations and misdemeanors may not preclude applicants from receiving employment as long as all of this information is fully disclosed on the personal history questionnaire. Applicants must also submit to psychological, drug and alcohol testing. These are routine assessments for all nuclear energy employees. Pre-Employment Examinations Many nuclear energy companies require entry-level personnel to pass pre-employment aptitude examinations. These tests help the utility determine who will be successful in the company’s training programs. Applicants should refer to each company’s recruitment website for additional information about required pre-employment aptitude examinations. Continuous Background Investigations All employees are continuously monitored for impaired performance. If hired, all employees will be required to participate in random drug and alcohol testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m not a nuclear engineer. Is there a job for me in the nuclear energy industry? Yes. It is a common myth that nuclear energy facilities only employ nuclear engineers. The industry needs all kinds of technicians, craft workers and other professionals in positions ranging from entry-level to mid-career and those with military training and service experience. Positions available in the nuclear industry include: • • • • Reactor Operators Pipefitters Sheet Metal Workers Radiation Protection Specialists • Masons • Electricians • Chemical, Mechanical & Electrical Engineers • Carpenters • Heavy Equipment Operators • Welders • Millwrights take these tests before starting full-time employment and then periodically throughout their entire career. I’ve been accepted into a nuclear training or degree program, but I don’t have any money to pay the tuition. Is there a scholarship available for someone like me? Yes. Students can apply for a scholarship offered to incoming freshmen through the American Nuclear Society. Please note that the application deadline for this scholarship is in the early spring. Are there minority scholarship opportunities in the nuclear energy industry? Yes. Organizations such as the American Association of Blacks in Energy offer scholarships, as do Historically Black Colleges and Universities with applicable programs. I own a small business. Are there opportunities for small and minority businesses to work with the nuclear energy industry? If so, what are they? Yes. Beyond the industry, there are a wide range of small and minority businesses that are instrumental to the production of nuclear energy. Information on how these businesses can get involved is available from the Department of Energy and can be accessed at http://energy.gov/diversity/working-us/small-businesses.
Safety and security are always a priority at nuclear energy facilities.
What kind of educational background do I need to work at a nuclear facility? The educational background necessary to work at a nuclear facility varies a great deal. Depending on the role, individuals can qualify for consideration with anything from a high school diploma to a doctorate. I passed a drug and alcohol screening test during my previous job. Do I need to take these tests again? Yes. Nuclear energy employees are required to pass drug and alcohol screenings. All employees should expect to
10
Community Colleges & Trade Schools Nuclear Energy Technology Associate Degree Programs
Arizona Estrella Mountain Community College www.estrellamountain.edu California Miracosta College www.miracosta.edu Connecticut Three Rivers Community College www.trcc.commnet.edu Florida Indian River State College www.ircc.edu Miami Dade College www.mdc.edu Georgia Augusta Technical College www.augustatech.edu Wallace Community College www.wallace.edu Idaho ESTEC/Idaho State University www.isu.edu Kentucky West Kentucky Community & Technical College www.westkentucky.kctcs.edu Maryland College of Southern Maryland www.csmd.edu Michigan Lake Michigan Community College www.lakemichigancollege.edu Monroe County Community College www.monroeccc.edu Minnesota Dakota County Technical College www.dctc.edu St. Cloud Technical College www.sctc.edu Missouri Linn State www.linnstate.edu Nebraska Metropolitan Community College www.mccneb.edu Southeast Community College www.southeast.edu New Jersey Salem Community College www.salemcc.edu New Mexico New Mexico Jr. College www.nmjc.edu New York Excelsior College www.excelsior.edu Onondaga Community College www.sunyocc.edu Westchester Community College www.sunywcc.edu North Carolina Gaston College www.gaston.edu North Dakota Bismarck State College www.bismarckstate.edu Ohio Lakeland Community College www.Lakelandcc.edu
11
[continued]
Pennsylvania Delaware County Community College www.dccc.edu Luzerne County Community College www.luzerne.edu South Carolina Aiken Technical College www.atc.edu Florence-Darlington Technical College www.fdtc.edu Midlands Technical College www.mid.tec.sc.us Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College www.octech.edu Spartanburg Technical College www.sccsc.edu Tennessee Chattanooga State Community College www.chattanoogastate.edu
Existing & New Nuclear Energy Facilities in the U.S. Existing New
Texas Brazosport College www.brazosport.edu Texas State Technical College www.tstc.edu Wharton County Junior College www.wcjc.edu
Washington Columbia Basin College www.columbiabasin.edu Wisconsin Lakeshore Technical College www.gotoltc.edu
12
Nuclear Engineering & Health Physics Undergraduate & Graduate Programs
California UC Berkeley www.berkeley.edu Colorado Air Force Institute of Technology www.afit.edu Florida University of Florida www.ufl.edu Georgia Georgia Institute of Technology www.gatech.edu Idaho Idaho State University www.isu.edu Illinois University of Illinois www.illinois.edu Indiana Purdue University www.purdue.edu Kansas Kansas State University www.k-state.edu Maine University of Maine www.umaine.edu Maryland University of Maryland www.umd.edu Massachusetts Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.mit.edu University of Massachusetts Lowell www.uml.edu Michigan University of Michigan www.umich.edu Missouri Missouri University of Science & Technology www.mst.edu University of Missouri www.missouri.edu Nevada University of Nevada go.unlv.edu New Mexico University of New Mexico www.unm.edu New York Excelsior College www.excelsior.edu Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute www.rpi.edu North Carolina North Carolina State University www.ncsu.edu Ohio Ohio State University www.osu.edu Oregon Oregon State University www.oregonstate.edu Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State University www.psu.edu South Carolina South Carolina State University www.scsu.edu
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[continued]
Tennessee University of Tennessee www.utk.edu Texas Texas A&M University www.tamu.edu University of Texas www.utexas.edu University of North Texas www.unt.edu Utah University of Utah www.utah.edu Virginia Virginia Commonwealth University www.vcu.edu Wisconsin University of Wisconsin www.wisc.edu
Existing & New Nuclear Energy Facilities in the U.S. Existing New
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Nuclear Engineering Undergraduate Minor & Graduate Certificate Programs
Alabama Auburn University www.auburn.edu/ Arizona Arizona State University www.asu.edu/ California UC Berkeley www.berkeley.edu Idaho Idaho State University www.isu.edu Indiana Purdue University www.purdue.edu Iowa Iowa State University www.iastate.edu Kansas Kansas State University www.k-state.edu Louisiana Louisiana State University www.lsu.edu Maryland University of Maryland www.umd.edu Massachusetts Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.mit.edu University of Massachusetts Lowell www.uml.edu Missouri University of Missouri www.missouri.edu New Mexico University of New Mexico www.unm.edu New York NYU Poly www.poly.edu North Carolina North Carolina State University www.ncsu.edu Ohio Ohio State University www.osu.edu Pennsylvania Drexel University www.drexel.edu Lehigh University www4.lehigh.edu University of Pittsburgh www.pitt.edu Rhode Island University of Rhode Island www.uri.edu South Carolina South Carolina State University www.scsu.edu South Dakota South Dakota State University www.sdstate.edu/ Tennessee University of Tennessee www.utk.edu
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Texas Texas A&M University www.tamu.edu Texas Tech University www.ttu.edu/ University of Texas www.utexas.edu Utah University of Utah www.utah.edu Virginia Virginia Commonwealth University www.vcu.edu
Existing & New Nuclear Energy Facilities in the U.S. Existing New
About the Clean and Safe Energy Coalition
The Clean and Safe Energy (CASEnergy) Coalition is a national grassroots coalition formed to support the increased use of nuclear energy to ensure an environmentally clean, safe, affordable and reliable supply of electricity. Nuclear energy enhances America’s energy security and economic growth, helps attain cleaner air and improves the quality of life, health and economic well-being for all Americans. The CASEnergy Coalition’s mission is to educate the American public on the benefits of nuclear energy. The coalition represents a broad cross-section of members united in their support for nuclear energy. Members include business, environmental, academic, consumer, minority, industry and labor communities. CASEnergy needs your support. Please consider joining the mission to support nuclear expansion in the U.S. You can become a member of the CASEnergy Coalition today at: www.CleanSafeEnergy.org.
Blog: Clean Energy Buzz at blog.casenergy.org · Twitter: @CASEnergy · YouTube: CASEnergy Coalition www.CleanSafeEnergy.org · 202.338.2273
