3 answers
Parker
Student
Darby, MT
1
Question
Updated
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Why did you choose to be a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator?
When did you most feel being a Nuclear Power Reactor Operator was right for you?
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3 answers
Joseph Neilson
Radiation Detection Physicist
218
Answers
Oxford, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
I'm not exactly a reactor operator, but maybe one of the next closest jobs you'll find answering questions on here.
There's many reasons someone might choose this kind of role, although there's a few different places the job might take you, and some reasons are specific to different types of reactor operator.
For example, as Tonya mentions, reactor operators can often find work in the Navy, so the idea of serving your country might be a motivation. If you're comfortable with the concept of nuclear deterrence as well as nuclear energy, you might even feel how you can do your part to keep the world safer from large scale war by keeping a second-strike deterrent capability hidden safely below the waves. If that's not your thing, there's other reactor operators in the Navy on hunter-killer subs, and in the US you also have nuclear powered carriers too. Even if you don't fancy spending your whole career in the navy, I hear the training is very good and can set you up well to move into civil nuclear later on; there tends to be quite a few ex-military folks end up in other nuclear roles.
A reactor operator solely working in civil nuclear power might have different reasons for choosing the job however. A big reason might be directly seeing the contribution of nuclear power as a low carbon energy source; together with renewables, a strong commitment to nuclear power is a necessity in our efforts to combat climate change and work towards net-zero carbon emissions. There's also a coolness factor in having responsibility for a gigawatt worth of pretty much always-on power generation at your fingers.
Reactor operators can also be found in a more academic and research environment, with various research and materials testing reactors in operation, along with a number of potential future reactor types in various stages of development. Operators in these environments might be motivated by more academic reasons like a desire to further humanity's collective knowledge.
From a personal perspective, I'd say for me, I'd been interested in the sciences from an early age and knew I wanted to have quite a technical career. I was a little interested in nuclear back then, but for a long time I was thinking more in terms of a career in astrophysics; however I discovered during my undergrad physics study that higher level astro wasn't really for me, whereas I got on much better with the nuclear content of my degree - so went on to study a postgraduate Masters in nuclear physics and technology. From there, I could have easily gone towards other nuclear careers like reactor operator or fuel cycle planning; but after applying for a few different jobs, the first one to offer me a role was in a radiochemistry lab. While that was itself a relatively tedious entry-level job, I soon discovered I could really enjoy tinkering with detectors and exploring the physics of radiation measurements, and I've now built the rest of my career around that starting point.
There's many reasons someone might choose this kind of role, although there's a few different places the job might take you, and some reasons are specific to different types of reactor operator.
For example, as Tonya mentions, reactor operators can often find work in the Navy, so the idea of serving your country might be a motivation. If you're comfortable with the concept of nuclear deterrence as well as nuclear energy, you might even feel how you can do your part to keep the world safer from large scale war by keeping a second-strike deterrent capability hidden safely below the waves. If that's not your thing, there's other reactor operators in the Navy on hunter-killer subs, and in the US you also have nuclear powered carriers too. Even if you don't fancy spending your whole career in the navy, I hear the training is very good and can set you up well to move into civil nuclear later on; there tends to be quite a few ex-military folks end up in other nuclear roles.
A reactor operator solely working in civil nuclear power might have different reasons for choosing the job however. A big reason might be directly seeing the contribution of nuclear power as a low carbon energy source; together with renewables, a strong commitment to nuclear power is a necessity in our efforts to combat climate change and work towards net-zero carbon emissions. There's also a coolness factor in having responsibility for a gigawatt worth of pretty much always-on power generation at your fingers.
Reactor operators can also be found in a more academic and research environment, with various research and materials testing reactors in operation, along with a number of potential future reactor types in various stages of development. Operators in these environments might be motivated by more academic reasons like a desire to further humanity's collective knowledge.
From a personal perspective, I'd say for me, I'd been interested in the sciences from an early age and knew I wanted to have quite a technical career. I was a little interested in nuclear back then, but for a long time I was thinking more in terms of a career in astrophysics; however I discovered during my undergrad physics study that higher level astro wasn't really for me, whereas I got on much better with the nuclear content of my degree - so went on to study a postgraduate Masters in nuclear physics and technology. From there, I could have easily gone towards other nuclear careers like reactor operator or fuel cycle planning; but after applying for a few different jobs, the first one to offer me a role was in a radiochemistry lab. While that was itself a relatively tedious entry-level job, I soon discovered I could really enjoy tinkering with detectors and exploring the physics of radiation measurements, and I've now built the rest of my career around that starting point.
I appreciate your support, Joseph
Parker
Tonya H.
Corporate Communications
2
Answers
Updated
Tonya’s Answer
My husband was a nuclear reactor operator, and here are his thoughts:
After speaking to a recruiter during his junior year in high school, he thought it sounded like an interesting job. He was a nuke for nine years. He was always interested in engineering and physics, and this job was a great fit for him in the Navy. Part of the job is being comfortable with being on a submarine for months at a time.
After speaking to a recruiter during his junior year in high school, he thought it sounded like an interesting job. He was a nuke for nine years. He was always interested in engineering and physics, and this job was a great fit for him in the Navy. Part of the job is being comfortable with being on a submarine for months at a time.
Thanks for the help.
Parker
Amalya Sukiasyan
ESOL teacher at Washington English Center
297
Answers
Yerevan
Updated
Amalya’s Answer
Although this is not related to my field, I'll try to answer.
If you are really interested in the field, enjoy it as an occupation, then it's right for you. This field is usually chosen by people who are interested in engineering, physics, and related disciplines.
If you are really interested in the field, enjoy it as an occupation, then it's right for you. This field is usually chosen by people who are interested in engineering, physics, and related disciplines.
Loved reading this, thanks!
Parker