Present
Trends in the Nuclear Industry
The applications of nuclear technology go well beyond only producing low-carbon electricity. It fuels our most audacious space exploration projects and helps stop the spread of illness; it also helps doctors diagnose and cure patients (EDF, 2022). These numerous applications put nuclear technology at the center of the global movement toward environmental sustainability. New electricity production is needed throughout the world to fulfill the rising energy requirements in many nations as well as to remove outdated fossil energy units, particularly coal-burning ones, which generate large amounts of carbon dioxide.
The capacity of subsequent generations to satisfy their needs is not compromised when current demands are met through sustainable development. It is a comprehensive idea that takes into account justice across nations and ages and calls for the balance of sometimes conflicting environmental, cultural, and economic considerations. The situation is more complicated now, especially in light of worries about global warming and climate change and the foundation for sustainable development. Therefore, providing the advantages of access to contemporary, reasonably priced, and dependable energy services to all must be the cornerstone of any move towards a more egalitarian and sustainable society (Crockett, J, 2021). No innovation is entirely risk-free for the environment or humans. While low-carbon forms of energy, for instance, do not emit greenhouse gases when they are used, they do produce waste and emissions throughout the building, manufacturing, and dismantling phases. Therefore, the suitability of any renewable technology for united nations sustainable development goals must be evaluated relative to competitors.
According to the interview with Michelle Curtis, Training Specialist IV, Northwest Energy. Nuclear health physicist professionals formulate and maintain safety protocols to preserve the health and safety of employees, ensuring safety in the workplace. Specialists gather and evaluate radioactivity data as well as keep an eye on the nuclear activities of materials and methods (EDF, 2022). Physicists, engineers, and other experts use nuclear technicians to help with atomic research or produce nuclear energy. They control specialized machinery and monitor the radiation levels generated in these operations. An atomic science associate’s degree or a closely related field profession is often required for nuclear technicians (Crockett, J, 2021). Some people could have acquired comparable experience through their military service. Additionally, atomic workers receive significant on-the-job training. Nuclear engineers often need to go through a background check and develop some kind of top-secret clearance once they are employed for privacy and protection concerns.
Entry-level Position in the Nuclear Industry
Due to the complexity of the mathematics and theoretical work involved in nuclear engineering, it is a somewhat challenging field to master. Because nuclear technology is not commonly accessible, few engineers get to observe how their work is used in the real world. The nuclear sector offers the opportunity to address issues and enhance processes, making it a lucrative and demanding career option; possibilities might be found alone or in groups. Additionally, job progression and career learning are rewards for creativity and responsibility.
There are nuclear bunkers around the country that need operators to keep them running round-the-clock in case a request to deploy them ever comes in. Despite the fact that this work is sometimes considered to be somewhat monotonous, it is vital to our country’s security. Operators of nuclear missile silos often hold a high school diploma and come from a history in the military with an emphasis on nuclear armament. A nuclear physicist is in charge of researching more ways to produce power from nuclear material as well as investigating how various radioactive elements function (Dwyer, 2020). The cost of building additional capacity can be reduced if they can use the fuel more effectively. A physicist will also ensure that the energy in the existing power plants is working within safe limits.
Dropping radioactive particles rods into the water makes the liquid boil and transform into steaming, the primary way a nuclear power station produces energy. The turbine, having power, is rotated by this excellent steam. It is the responsibility of the nuclear power plant operator to ensure that these rods enter and exit the water at safe intervals. Managers of nuclear power plants frequently need to hold a nuclear engineering bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. Nuclear chemists can use their expertise in a range of positions. So that atomic reactors may produce economic leverage more safely and effectively, they might research how nuclear fuel behaves over time. They can also explore the effects of radioactive material on people. Any system that involves radioactivity or nuclear power must be designed by a nuclear engineer. This covers nuclear power plants, x-ray equipment, and equipment used to treat risk in patients. Although a bachelor’s degree is all that is needed to become a nuclear engineer, the majority of senior nuclear engineers have PhDs.
Level of Competition among Job Seekers
People from a variety of professions and educational backgrounds can find stable, well-paying positions in the nuclear energy sector. The city as a whole receives high-quality employment from nuclear power facilities, which actively recruit from universities, community colleges, the military, and the crafts. There will soon be a new generation of reactors since nuclear energy is in high demand worldwide. If the US can continue to lead the world in nuclear technology, the need for jobs at home will soar. It is anticipated that there will be 1,000 jobs for nuclear engineers (Crockett, J, 2021). It is predicted that all of those roles will become open as a result of the need to replace workers who switch occupations or exit the employee retirement benefits.
Electric power development is expected to provide fewer jobs, but engineering technological advancements, as well as organizational, scientific, and specialized management consulting, are expected to create more jobs. Nuclear engineers’ employment is projected to grow by 4% between 2016 and 2026, which is less than the global average (Energy Services Group International, 2017). The majority of nuclear engineers have historically worked for utilities that own or construct nuclear power stations. However, utilities are increasingly choosing to convert electricity generation to less expensive natural gas. Additionally, the economics of conventional nuclear power generation are under strain due to the growing feasibility of sustainable power. Demand for nuclear engineers to create novel treatment modalities will also be driven by advancements in nuclear medicine, diagnostic testing, and cancer therapy.
Future
Opportunities for Career Advancement
People of various ages, genders, and levels of expertise can face particular problems, fair compensation, and career prospects in the nuclear industry. Additionally, as the world’s attitudes gradually shift, nuclear energy is considered a way to defend our environment from the usage of fossil fuels. As a result of this paradigm change, there are more and more opportunities to hire people for jobs of all levels and sorts who want to further the advancement of emission-free power generation. The search for the best personnel in the sector is becoming more competitive as nuclear power is adapted (Dwyer, 2020). Leading contenders in nuclear energy will have a wide range of skills and expertise. A person’s performance in this dynamic business will be boosted by having a variety of abilities they may draw on, whether it be manufacturing, marketing, finance, or computers.
Employment in the nuclear and energy industry provides women and men equally difficult work, attractive incomes and benefits, and prospects for promotion, in contrast to some of the other more specialized areas. The job done by nuclear workers actively contributes to environmental protection by assisting local efforts to generate more electricity without emissions. Growing demands and fiercer rivalry among companies for the best personnel in the sector result from this shift in viewpoint. The most qualified applicants in this profession come from many different academic fields. Engineers, technicians, skilled tradespeople, and technology employees, as well as a broad spectrum of finance, human resource management, communications, training, and administrative specialists, have a ton of job prospects supporting nuclear-related businesses and infrastructure.
To make sure that security, public health, and the ecosystem are taken into account, nuclear reactors need to undergo ongoing inspections. There are several opportunities accessible for people who can handle sophisticated technologies and have good organizational abilities. A job in nuclear energy would be ideal for someone who has completed their education and training in the nuclear industry at the university level. Due to the vital need for maintenance and health professionals needed to fulfill the world’s requirement for consistent emission-free energy, those with significant training in nuclear power and power plants will not have any trouble finding employment.
A rewarding profession is being a mechanic or engineer at a nuclear power plant. Interacting with cutting-edge technology on a daily basis will provide extraordinary obstacles that might make for a challenging yet fulfilling day at work. People who have a passion for solving issues and want to work to make a difference might think about a profession in nuclear energy. If people desire to advance in their jobs in nuclear power, inventiveness is another fantastic quality to possess. There are many other reasons why people should commence their profession in the nuclear sector, and there is growing pressure than ever before if they want to make a significant difference or gain competitive pay.
The Nuclear Industry Changes in the Future
Power transmission development is expected to provide fewer jobs, but engineering technological advancements, as well as managerial, academic, and professional advisory services, are expected to create more jobs. The majority of nuclear engineers have historically worked for companies that own or construct nuclear power stations. However, utilities are increasingly choosing to convert electricity generation to less expensive natural gas. Additionally, the economics of conventional nuclear power generation are under strain due to the growing feasibility of sustainable power. Demand for nuclear engineers to create novel treatment modalities will also be driven by advancements in nuclear medicine, diagnostic testing, and cancer therapy.
According to the interview with Michelle Curtis, job opportunities are anticipated to be somewhat scarce. Openings should result from older nuclear power stations receiving operational extensions. The chances of those with expertise in emerging professions, including nuclear medicine, should be better. The systems, tools, and procedures used to harness nuclear energy and radiation are studied and developed by nuclear engineers. Many of these engineers discover uses for radioactive substances in pharmaceutical and biological settings, such as in devices used in healthcare diagnostic and therapeutic. Others focus on creating nuclear power plants for use in ships or spaceships. Additionally, nuclear engineers are at the forefront of discovering ways to employ nuclear material in neuroimaging (PET) scanners and other diagnostic imaging technology. They may also create particle acceleration, which generates a powerful beam used in the medical field to cure malignant tumors.
Modernization with Technology
While it may not be feasible to predict the future, nuclear technological advancements suggest that it will likely be scalable and modular. The energy business NuScale Power has just made the first request for compact nuclear power station accreditation. This is revolutionary because the reactor is anticipated to offer reasonably priced, reliable, clean electricity in a manner that is readily adaptable and capable of gradually increasing facility production in response to shifting demand (Energy Services Group International, 2017). Such compact modular reactors have been dubbed a new generation of safe, dependable, reduced nuclear energy innovation by the US Department of Energy. The construction of these machines is anticipated to increase employment opportunities in the nuclear energy sector as outdated infrastructure and closed operations are refurbished. Additionally, there will be a rise in the need for experts who can construct, manage, and run the new reactors as the field adopts this new technology. That is good news for the labor market since increasing populations will eventually lead to rising electrical consumption.
Future nuclear power will be a vast improvement above what people now know and utilize. In reality, a whole range of cutting-edge nuclear technology is currently being developed and is scheduled to be put into use the following year. Molten salt reactors, reactors with molten material cooling, and high-temperature gas reactors are some examples of these cutting-edge reactor types. The DOE also disclosed that it would contribute up to $80 million in cost-share funding to assist the sophisticated reactor designs being developed by X-energy LLC and Southern Co. Services in collaboration with research centers, academic institutions, and other businesses (Energy Services Group International, 2017). As they collaborate closely with the nuclear energy business and offer technical, governmental, and financial experience, the DOE is becoming engaged.
Characteristics of the Profession
The Work Environment
The place and function of the facility where nuclear specialists operate frequently affect their job responsibilities and designations. The majority of nuclear specialists operate units and other gear at nuclear power plants to ensure that they are run safely and effectively. Radiation protection specialists and operational technicians are two types of experts that operate in nuclear power facilities. Under the direction of nuclear reactor controllers and engineers, working specialists monitor the operation of nuclear power facilities using computers, gauges, and other tools. They use computations to evaluate the equipment’s performance based on variables including temperatures, strain, and solar radiation. By using valves correctly and shutting off electricity, operators can improve the efficiency of nuclear weapons and other equipment.
Nuclear technicians often work in buildings and control centers at nuclear power facilities, where they utilize computers and other technology to oversee and support the operation of nuclear reactors. Nuclear specialists must go to several manufacturing sites during the workday in order to assess levels of radiation on-site. Laboratories are often where nuclear specialists who do scientific testing for scientists and designers work. Nuclear personnel must exercise caution when working with or near radioactive materials. They frequently need to don protective gear and wear film badges that indicate if they have been exposed to high levels of radiation. As an additional safety measure, many technicians use breathing masks.
The industry that produces, transmits and distributes electric power employs more than half of the electricity generation managers, distributors, and emergency responders. Sixteen percent of people worked for the government, the majority of them in municipal administration (Oil and Gas Job Search, 2022). In control rooms, controllers, wholesalers, and emergency responders often sit or stand at a command center. Although not physically demanding, the task demands continual concentration. Outside of the command center, employees may make rounds, inspect machinery, and do other tasks.
Security is a top priority for utility businesses since electricity transportation is crucial and vulnerable to assault. Thus, employees should be ready to operate in these settings. Operators working outside the command center or on rounds might be at risk for burns, falls, and electrical hazards. Even yet, these jobs had lower injury and sickness rates than the national average for all occupations. Operators, wholesalers, and emergency responders often work alternating 8- or 12-hour shifts because energy is available 24/7 (Oil and Gas Job Search, 2022). Therefore, the fewer appealing shifts are shared by all operators. Because of the frequent variations in wakefulness and sleep cycles, operating on different shifts can be difficult and exhausting.
Skills and Abilities to be Successful in the Nuclear Industry
People with dedication and honesty who work as guardians of public health, security, and the ecosystem are necessary for the safe and dependable operation of diverse nuclear power reactors. A requirement for qualified, trained, and technologically adept employees to follow that attitude of dedication. To aid the nation’s need for dependable, affordable, and emission-free power, new nuclear plants must have skilled staff with a solid safety record in running nuclear facilities. As a result, there is a growing need for more people who are knowledgeable, professional, and motivated to learn new things. Complex production activities and super sophisticated technologies provide obstacles that might alter every day. The nuclear sector offers the opportunity to address issues and enhance operations, making it a lucrative and demanding career option. In the industry, salaries are among the most competitive. Additionally, there is a greater need for talent than ever before due to several industry-related issues that influence recruiting efforts.
The last human performance (HP) principle, engagement with people, technologies, and the environment, examines collaboration and interpersonal connections. The idea is that people’s interactions with one another have an influence on how well they do on their own. The impact of people’s interactions with others, technology, and their surroundings is specifically examined, as well as how these relationship factors are responsible (Yardley, 2021). To guarantee that people abide by the stated norms and etiquette, regulations have been put in place. Regulations may be created with HP’s assistance so that individuals can work as hard as they can to stay safe while doing so.
The third HP concept, “Adapting to Changing Demands,” is explicitly focused on how individuals respond differently to the demands of their workplace environment, particularly in dynamic situations. Although a workplace’s procedures could be stable, the work itself is engaged, making this concept crucial to application performance. The fourth HP aspect of risk evaluation and trade-offs is the result of the fact that although one individual may view a job or scenario as safe, another employee may view it as dangerous. Each person evaluates these risks and trade-offs uniquely, whether it is altering a technique, facing criticism from peers, or being late to a meeting.
To assist in the construction of facilities and machinery that create the materials required by diverse sectors, nuclear engineers must determine design components. The capacity of nuclear engineers to collaborate with other designers and workers is crucial to their job. They must successfully communicate verbally and in writing. The management of nuclear plants is done by nuclear engineers. They must always keep a careful eye on what is going on and make sure that activities adhere to all rules and laws relevant to environmental protection and employees. According to the interview with Michelle Curtis, in order for people to follow their textual information and instructions, they must arrange the material rationally and adequately. Calculus, trigonometry, and other sophisticated mathematical concepts are used by nuclear engineers in their profession for assessment, design, and problem-solving. Nuclear engineers must foresee issues before they arise and take precautions against them due to the risk presented by nuclear materials and catastrophes at installations.
The Nuclear Industry Fundamentals
The heating process creates steam, which ultimately turns wind generators to produce energy; it is a spotless and effective process that can be done using nuclear power. The fission of uranium atoms by nuclear fusion in a nuclear reactor is a method by which low-enriched or unenriched uranium is used in nuclear power plants to generate power. Small, strong ceramic pellets stored in long, vertical tubes are fissile materials. From an environmental point of view, nuclear power has a lot to offer. Power plants do not cause combustion effects because they do not burn any substances. Nuclear power facilities also help reduce pollution and slow down environmental problems because they do not emit greenhouse gases. No other power source compares to nuclear in terms of performance and dependability. Nuclear power facilities are capable of producing significant quantities of power constantly and without interruptions for several months at a time.
Numerous demanding and gratifying careers with high pay and perks are available in the nuclear business. In addition to offering a route for lifelong learning, the diversity of career choices also shows that individuals are actively trying to provide the community with the strength and vitality it needs to reach its full potential. There are several difficulties associated with such a possibility. Even if some people balk in the face of challenges, those that are eager to learn and advance in their positions can discover some of the most lucrative prospects in the whole power production sector. The notion that the nuclear industry is gearing up for a significant rebirth, spurred by the need to upgrade existing nuclear reactors and construct new units to repair an aging network of nuclear power plants, is one of those critical difficulties.
Engineers, scientists, technicians, workers in skilled trades and technology, professionals in management and entry-level positions, as well as those in the fields of energy production, uranium mining and milling, used fuel injection systems, nuclear medicine, investigations, environmental and earth fields of science, industrial production, agriculture, and more, all have opportunities for employment. Across the region and abroad, new nuclear power plants are being proposed, offering even more exciting opportunities for professional development.
Education and Pursuing the Career
A bachelor’s degree is necessary for entry-level nuclear engineering positions in the commercial sector. Some entry-level jobs in nuclear engineering can call for a Ph.D. or at least a master’s degree. Students interested in pursuing nuclear engineering should take algebra and geometry and science classes in biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as coursework in algebra, trigonometry, and calculus. In order to get a bachelor’s degree, students must complete classroom, laboratory, and fieldwork in courses including algebra and engineering fundamentals. Service-learning programs are offered by the majority of schools and universities, allowing students to get job experience while finishing their degrees.
A bachelor’s and a master’s degree can be earned in five years at some colleges. An engineer can work as a professor at a university or in research and innovation with a doctoral degree. Some 5- or 6-year cooperative education programs integrate work-based learning with classroom instruction, allowing students to obtain experience and pay for a portion of their education. Comprehensive mathematics and engineering principles are covered in the classroom, laboratories, and research components of masters and doctoral degrees. These programs involve the satisfactory conclusion of a research study on a private or government grant application, typically carried out in collaboration with a professor.
Employers in the energy sector view internships as a tried-and-true strategy for attracting, developing, and maintaining top personnel. Apprenticeships in nuclear energy, an “earn-while-you-learn” concept, offer the chance to acquire marketable skills under the direction of seasoned experts who have perfected their art. In order to learn about both regimen and exceptional process engineering, maintenance, and recharging for blackouts or emergency situations, Radiation Protection Apprentice must complete rigorous technologist instruction. They must also ensure that all operations comply with company strategies, processes, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
To maintain the flawless operation of crucial equipment, people in these jobs collaborate closely with knowledgeable mentors. These experts identify and fix issues with nuclear reactors, turbines, quality and excellent sprinkler systems, and station compressors, in addition to process control and instrumentation of combustible equipment. Examining, maintaining, adjusting, changing faulty components, and repairing electrical engineering equipment and management are all part of the job (Learn.org, 2022). For people who enjoy working with devices, apparatus, and gauges and who enjoy troubleshooting and problem-solving, this type of apprenticeship is appropriate.
Students who lingered after class and learned more about how items functioned in order to pique their intrinsic interest were frequently nuclear architects. These engineers employ their propensity for problem-solving in their work as designers and developers of advanced new nuclear reactors and associated technologies. To enable quicker reactor design construction, they use an integrated method for neutronics, thermal hydrodynamics, structural, and safety studies (Learn.org, 2022). Operators of nuclear power reactors have comparable roles to orchestra conductors in that they manage nuclear reactors. To create a seamless and perfect final result, they assemble a team of talented professionals. By altering fuel rods, reactor technicians regulate the amount of power a reactor produces. Reactors, compressors, generators, and cooling equipment are all under constant observation, and any required adjustments are made.
Findings
It had been deemed necessary to establish a set of fundamental safety and radiological protection standards for nuclear reactors ever since the nuclear industry had been established. Although there were concerns about security when these factories first started operating, the methodology of determining safety standards by trial and error was not used, despite the fact that this method had been used for many other kinds of industrial endeavors and other operations (TheKoreaTimes, 2016). Nuclear engineers must choose design elements to help with the building of structures and equipment that produce the materials needed by many industries. For the job to be successful, nuclear engineers must be able to work well with other designers and employees. Both verbal and written communication must be effective. Nuclear engineers are responsible for managing nuclear power stations. They must constantly monitor what is happening and ensure that all regulations and laws pertaining to employee safety and environmental preservation are followed.
Nuclear power in the future will be a tremendous upgrade above what humans currently know and use. In fact, a variety of cutting-edge nuclear technologies are now being researched and are expected to be operational. Nuclear technical breakthroughs imply that while it may not be possible to anticipate the future, it will probably be scalable and modular. The energy company NuScale Power has officially submitted the initial application for certification of a small-scale nuclear power plant. The reactor is expected to provide fairly cost, dependable, clean power in a way that is easily adaptable and capable of progressively expanding facility production in response to fluctuating demand, making it a breakthrough development.
References
Crockett, J. (2021). Nuclear power employment in 2021: Trends to look out for. Airswift.
Dwyer, C. (2020) The appeal of a nuclear energy career. Energy Services Group International.
EDF. (2022). Working in nuclear: An interview.
Energy Services Group International. (2017). Can you talk about the nuclear industry in 2030?
Learn.org. (2022). Careers in nuclear science.
Oil and Gas Job Search. (2022). Why you should consider a career in nuclear energy.
TheKoreaTimes. (2016). The disaster movie “Pandora” rings true more than ever. Koreatimes.
Yardley, C. (2021).The five principles of human performance. Unitingaviation.Com.