Second engineering degree?

[MrNE]

Hello all.

I'm about to pick up a bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering. I field that I am very interested in and would most probably enjoy working in.

The choice had always been between nuclear and electrical, and I had choosen nuclear because I thought it would make me stand out.

However I was forced to take an electrical course during my time here (just so I know the basics) and I loved it. I went on to take the follow up of that course and another EE course (both of which were not required).

Now I really love EE. The classes that I have taken I have really enjoyed.

I have a few questions to the engineers who would know:

- How would I benifit with a Nuclear engineering degree and an Electrical engineering degree?

- Would just any job say it would be okay to work and go to school. Or go to work, take time off school, and then go to work? (For a degree that probably has nothing to do with them)

- Would it be easier and more benificial to get a masters in nuclear engineering while working? (Many have suggested this)

- How are most companies about continuing your education?

I'm definetly willing (and used to) putting in the extra hours and effort to pull this off.

I'm thinking hard about this and would like any and all suggestions.

I will get this degree, sooner or later, so not doing it is not an option for me.

Thank you!

 

[GrimesFrank]

MrNE,

I have a degree in nuclear engineering. I don't know how yours was based but it required me to take senior level courses in power and instrumentation although my base discipline was mechanical.

Now I work as a design engineer for a utility. I am responsible for process/instrumentation design. I leave the power concepts to another for resource-sake. I would say get your MScEE if you want to get into that work. The pure nuclear engineers I work with stay in the reactor safety, fuel physics.....if you want to design the nuts and bolts you need a specialty to get the chance.

Good luck.

Frank "Grimey" Grimes
Rule 25. of Swanson's "Unwritten Rules of Management"
Have fun at what you do. It will reflect in your work. No one likes a grump except another grump.

 

[jpankask]

MrNE, If you have all the credit you need to leave, I would start looking at nuclear power plants for an engineering position. My BS was in Nuclear Engineering. I took a job out of college with a manufacturing plant where I gained some electrical knowledge and then I got a job at a nuke plant in Electrical Systems. You probably have all the electrical knowledge you need to get into an electrical systems job somewhere. I loved working in electrical systems because you don't really need to know all the electrical theory you get from an EE degree to do well. I think I said somewhere above, a lot of "electrical" components are really mechanical systems that do electrical jobs. A generator is a huge mechanical system to generate an electric current. Circuit breakers are very intricate mechanical devices to permit/stop the flow current, etc. You may have to look to find a hiring electrical supervisor who can have some vision for the special knowledge you can bring to an electrical position, without a BSEE, but they are out there. A second option would be take whatever position you can get (licensing or reactor engineering) with a company that pays tuition and start on your MSEE. Then transfer to an electrical position when it comes up.

Also, 42 hours to complete a BSEE...do some online looking and find some MSEE programs. They should have listed the types of prerequisites they require and if they don't call. There is probably only 8-12 hours of classes you HAVE to have to start on the MSEE. In the time it would take you to finish your BSEE, you could have the prerequisites and a MSEE, which will be much more worth your time than a second BS.

Good luck.

 

[lacajun]

There are earning's curves for all levels of education and time. Earning increases are for higher levels of education not garnering multiple degrees at the same level. Experience will increase your earnings to a point. The old addage about 20 years of experience vs. one year repeated 20 times is very true.

I'd recommend what many others have, get your MSEE. That will benefit you more immediately and in the long run.

I will also vote for obtaining the PE but for nuclear and EE. A PE will open doors for you that otherwise will be shut.

I would also vote for going straight through school for the master's. That is the voice of experience. You'll gain a higher starting salary with your MSEE.

I do instrumentation and controls and love it. It is a fascinating and ever changing field. However, if you have your eyes on management, even project management, many companies will look over you in favor of a mechanical or civil engineer. If you desire management eventually, I would suggest taking some business courses at some point and ensuring you gain experience in other areas of your company.