Nuclear Reactor Operators and Technicians

Career services offices at high schools, vocational schools, and colleges are good sources of information about a career as a nuclear reactor operator. The librarians in these institutions also may be helpful in directing you to introductory literature on nuclear reactors. The International Atomic Energy Agency provides an overview of nuclear energy on its Web site, https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-is-nuclear-energy-the-science-of-nuclear-power. GetIntoEnergy (https://getintoenergy.org/careers-in-nuclear) is another good resource.

Opportunities for exploring a career as a nuclear reactor operator are limited because nuclear power plants are usually located in places relatively far from schools and have strictly limited visiting policies. Very few commercial or research reactors provide tours for the general public. However, many utility companies with nuclear power plants have visitors' centers, where tours are scheduled at specified hours. In addition, interested high school students usually can arrange visits to non-nuclear power plants, which allows them to learn about the energy-conversion process common to all steam-powered electric power generation plants. Students can also tour the B Reactor National Historic Landmark at the Manhattan Project National Historical Park (https://www.nps.gov/mapr). It is the world's first full-scale plutonium production reactor. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers tours of its Nuclear Reactor Lab. Visit https://nrl.mit.edu/outreach/tours for more information.

Participate in information interviews with nuclear reactor operators and technicians. In such an interview—which can be conducted in-person, on the phone, or through video-conferencing technology—you will get the opportunity to ask operators and technicians about their job duties, work environment, likes and dislikes about their careers, educational training, and other topics that will help you to learn more about the field.