Whether you are beginning or advancing a nuclear consulting career it is important to realize that most nuclear consultants have educational or business backgrounds in nuclear power plant engineering. The best way to meet your professional aspirations, therefore, is to complete a higher education program of study geared toward nuclear power engineers.

Before enrolling in a program, review the following regarding nuclear power consultants education and training:

1. Study for a career in nuclear consulting by completing a bachelor of science degree program.

2. Continue your nuclear power consulting education by obtaining a master's degree.

3. Utilize career and educational resources to help in your nuclear energy consulting ambitions.

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Achieve a career in nuclear power consultancy by obtaining a bachelor's degree

Attaining the appropriate knowledge base and skill set is essential for all nuclear consultancy professionals. To this end, enrolling in an undergraduate program of study relating to nuclear science and engineering is a prerequisite. Depending on where you choose to study, nuclear academic programs can be tailored, to an extent, to meet your career goal needs.

I recommend: Learn about the B.S. degrees available through the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. View the B.S. programs provided by the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Health Physics at Oregon State University.

Enhance your nuclear power plant consulting resume by obtaining a master's degree

Demonstrate your expertise to current and prospective clients by acquiring a master's degree. Continuing your education will set you apart from other nuclear energy consultants and exhibit your commitment to the industry. You can choose from a variety of colleges and universities around the country that will help you meet your professional needs.

I recommend: Take a look at the M.S. degree programs offered by the Mechanical Engineering/Nuclear Engineering Department at The Ohio State University. Visit the Nuclear Engineering Department at the Texas A&M University website to view the graduate degrees available.

Access useful resources to aid in your nuclear consulting services career goals

Accomplish your nuclear engineering services goals by using online career and education resources. Whether it's advice, financial assistance or simply information that you require, there are many assets available to working professionals. Specialized nuclear organizations have a wealth of content designed to help individuals who are pursuing or advancing careers at nuclear power consulting firms.

I recommend: Take advantage of the scholarship opportunities available through the American Nuclear Society. Utilize the career and education resources provided by the Nuclear Energy Institute.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When pursuing either a B.S. or M.S. degree, it is important to remember that you can take individual classes instead of a full course load to accommodate your geographical and time constraints. Though it may take longer to complete your program of study, you will still be qualified to work at nuclear power plant consulting firms.

Nuclear consulting firms help nuclear power plants enhance performance and reliability. By providing clients with authoritative, visionary and integrated environmental solutions, nuclear consultants help businesses capitalize on business opportunities in the ever-changing energy landscape. Nuclear power consultants advise clients through all stages of the nuclear plant cycle, from project management to operational support.

Before beginning your search for nuclear power consulting firms, it is important to define your consulting needs. Clearly identify the goal of your nuclear consultancy, including project scope, services needed, time frame and budget. This information will help you select the best nuclear energy consulting to meet your specific needs.

When selecting nuclear power plant consulting firms, research each consulting practice and evaluate the following:

1. How much experience do the nuclear power plant engineering firms have in providing nuclear power solutions for your business sector?

2. What nuclear consulting services do the nuclear power engineers provide to enhance your business efficiency, productivity and competitiveness?

3. How much should your business invest in nuclear engineering services and nuclear consulting services?

Action Steps
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Hire nuclear power consultants that specialize in your business sector

Select nuclear consultants who are seasoned professionals with extensive experience in your business operations. Ask to see a list of past and present clients, and request references.

I recommend: Integrated Environmental Management provides an extensive list of business sectors served with the firm's radiation protection, radiological engineering and nuclear expertise. O'Donnell Consulting Engineers offers full-service nuclear power plant consulting and features an online client list. FOSTER focuses on consulting service for industrial, commercial and institutional energy consumers.

Choose nuclear energy consultants with proven, reliable skills

Review the nuclear consulting services provided by each nuclear energy consulting firm. Evaluate each firm's experience, qualifications and certifications, and request successful project examples similar in scope to your upcoming project.

I recommend: COLSA Corporation has core competencies in information technology, security solutions, business management solutions, test and evaluation support, software engineering and analysis, modeling and simulation HWI, complex systems integration, intelligence support and engineering services. General Electric Company boasts 50 years of nuclear energy technology experience and provides new reactors, nuclear fuel, reactor services and performance services. NAC has extensive experience in nuclear materials transport, spent fuel storage and transport technologies, nuclear fuel cycle consulting and fuel cycle information services.

Select nuclear power consultants that meet your budget

Many nuclear power consulting firms operate on a project-based or hourly fee structure for short term consulting contracts. Some firms utilize a retainer with discounted hourly fees for long-term relationship clients. Your nuclear power consultancy cost will depend upon the scope of your services.

I recommend: Edlow International Company offers nuclear power consultancy on an hourly, monthly or annual basis depending upon each client's needs and preferences. NUS Consulting provides cost control services on a performance fee basis and offers a variety of nuclear power consulting services on a contingent, fixed or subscription basis.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before signing a contract with a nuclear power consulting firm, research the firm's expertise in the regulatory and compliance consulting arena. Find out what the firm's relationship is with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and evaluate the firm's experience with the Nuclear Materials Management and Safeguards System. Hire nuclear consultants who are leading authorities in energy compliance and have worked with governments to define and develop regulatory policy.

Nuclear power consultants help ensure the safety and productivity of nuclear power plants. These experienced professionals are familiar with the entire nuclear fuel cycle and are able to help nuclear power companies comply with the rules set forth by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

There are many questions to consider when working with a nuclear power consultant. What is the role of nuclear engineers in your project? What makes a nuclear reactor safe and reliable? How do we deal with radioactive waste? Understanding the vocabulary of nuclear power consultants can help you answer these questions.

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Radioactive waste

Radioactive waste is the spent fuel from a nuclear reaction. The radioactivity of a nuclear waste product can vary in lifespan. Spent fuel can be radioactive for thousands of years, making disposal a serious concern.

I recommend: Learn more about radioactive waste at the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management.

Nuclear reactor

A nuclear reactor holds the fission reaction that creates steam, turning the turbine to generate electricity. Parts of a nuclear reactor include moderators to slow the reaction, containment structures and control rods.

I recommend: The World Nuclear Association has further details on types of nuclear reactors.

Nuclear Materials Management and Safeguards System

The Nuclear Materials Management and Safeguards System (NMMSS) is the official record kept by the United States government of the possession and use of nuclear material. This database contains data about the nuclear materials used by federal and commercial facilities.

I recommend: Learn more about NMMSS at the U.S. Department of Energy website.

Nuclear fuel cycle

The nuclear fuel cycle refers to the sequence of events that produces electricity from a nuclear reaction. It involves everything from mining the ore (usually uranium) to storage and disposal of the waste.

I recommend: The Federation of American Scientists offers diagrams of the nuclear fuel cycle, making it easy to visualize and understand.

Nuclear engineer

Nuclear engineers can work in a variety of settings, including at a consulting firm. They are the problem solvers for nuclear power, nuclear medicine and military nuclear applications. Nuclear engineers must have advanced degrees.

I recommend: Discover a day in the life of a nuclear engineer at Payscale. Read an interview with a nuclear engineer who works as a consultant at TryEngineering, provided by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is an organization to control how radioactive materials are used and disposed. The NRC provides regulations and guidance, operational experience, oversight, licensing, decommissioning, certification and support for decisions regarding nuclear power.

I recommend: Get detailed information on the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission website.