Career Advice For a Navy Nuke
Brian
the time my current enlistment is up, I will have completed a BSEE. I am at
the midpoint in my career and am deciding on whether to stay in for 20 years
and retire.
The disadvantage is that I am 30 now and by the time I reach retirement, I
will be in my early forties. Is it feasible to begin a second career in
engineering? How much of a factor will my age play in being able to get a
job? Lastly, will I be competitive for something more than an entry level
position?
The advantage to staying is that I would be able to finish a Masters before
retirement and I will have even more managerial experience under my belt.
I would greatly appreciate the advice of anyone who was in similar
circumstances. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Brian Long
jeff_sr
Lockheed, CSC at EAFB, Rockwell. Stay where you are if you like what
your doing. Gov. Contractors do not keep many people past the age of
40, and do req. degrees. I mean they will find a way of getting rid of
you. 2 years ago, My brother got a degree in Computer Networking in San
Jose, could not get a job in that field, tried for over a year, he's
52. Before getting his degree he was a tire store manager for 15
years. Now he teaches school Math...
R&D hardware design. 30yrs in audio,analog,video,rf,digital, electro-
mechanical design. Burglar & Security systems.
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
BillyFish
>Date: Thu, Jun 29, 2000 7:49 PM
>Message-id: <7VT65.22660$Yr4.4...@news1.rdc1.tn.home.com>
I am probably not the best person to answer because I have been retired for
about 10 years. It is hard to predict what will happen in 10 years. Nuclear
energy and power in the US is not in good shape now but who knows what can
happen in 10 years. Ultimately, we will, actually you because I will not be
around, have to rely on nonfossil energy. Be ready for anything. Good luck.
Bill
John Gilmer
"Brian" <long...@home.com> wrote in message
news:7VT65.22660$Yr4.4...@news1.rdc1.tn.home.com...
> I am currently enlisted in the Navy as a nuclear trained electrician. By
> the time my current enlistment is up, I will have completed a BSEE.
Unless you did something really stupid (like screw the commander's dog) you
should be able to get a direct commission. Considering your field and
experience you may get a quick jump to O-3 (Lt in the USN). Even if they
start your at O-1 you will make O-3 is 2-3 years. With your BS you have a
very good shot at O-5 (O-4 is a given is you don't screw up.)
I say, stay in the USN. You will be able to draw some retirement at 20 and
you might want to stay in longer.
When you retire from the USN, you should be able to find something (likely
from a USN contractor) and you don't really need job security because of
your pension!
> I am at
> the midpoint in my career and am deciding on whether to stay in for 20
years
> and retire.
> The disadvantage is that I am 30 now and by the time I reach retirement, I
> will be in my early forties. Is it feasible to begin a second career in
> engineering?
If you stay in as an officer you will (on paper) likely be working in
engineering.
>How much of a factor will my age play in being able to get a
> job? Lastly, will I be competitive for something more than an entry level
> position?
> The advantage to staying is that I would be able to finish a Masters
before
> retirement and I will have even more managerial experience under my belt.
> I would greatly appreciate the advice of anyone who was in similar
> circumstances. Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Brian Long
>
>
William D. Allen Sr.
Every case is different but here's my experience.
I had an engineering degree from Princeton that the Navy paid for so I was
obligated beyond my career midpoint. I retired on twenty as a Commander and
was hired by Rockwell International as a program manager.
After I saw the typically short life span of program mangers at Rockwell,
while engineers with some specialty that the company needed were staying for
years, I went looking for an engineering slot. [We were working ICBM
guidance systems].
After twenty years at Rockwell together with twenty in the Navy I was ready
to retire for rood. While the Navy retirement pay is greater than the
Rockwell pension together they adequately provide for my wife and me.
However, I had a 401(k) savings plan at Rockwell that significantly
increased my net worth by the time I retired.
If you are or will be married soon and have children you may find that as
your children advance into high school it is very hard on them to change
schools whenever the Navy transfers you. At least we did with our five
children.
Right now there is a shortage of BSEEs. If you leave the Navy you may have
no problem finding employment. One of my son's is a BSEE and was making $85K
when he recently decided to go to law school.
I suggest you talk to some head hunters to see what the job market is for
you. Then maybe you can visualize your situation in ten or so years as
either retired from the Navy and looking for an engineering job or
alternatively, having accumulated ten years experience as an engineer.
I hope the above helps in your decision.
Good Luck,
WDA
end
Brian <long...@home.com> wrote in message
news:7VT65.22660$Yr4.4...@news1.rdc1.tn.home.com...
> I am currently enlisted in the Navy as a nuclear trained electrician. By
> the time my current enlistment is up, I will have completed a BSEE. I am
at
> the midpoint in my career and am deciding on whether to stay in for 20
years
> and retire.
> The disadvantage is that I am 30 now and by the time I reach retirement, I
> will be in my early forties. Is it feasible to begin a second career in
> engineering? How much of a factor will my age play in being able to get a
ElectricPete
immediate family feel about your current position.
But on a financial basis alone, I'd say the Navy retirement is your best
bet. Particularly if you can manage to squirrel away some savings while
you're there.
Your value to potential employers will grow with more technical and
managerial experience in the Navy. I think in general
you'd get a lot more of that (particularly the mangerial side) during the
next 10 years if you stay in the Navy.
I'm 39 and have switched jobs twice in the last two years and I haven't seen
any evidence of age discrimination.
One thing possibly working in your favor if you end up struggling to find a
job would be that if you have Navy benefits, then you can work at a very
small consulting company and furnish your own benefits. Benefits end up
being very expensive for small companies to provide due to high rates
charged to insure small groups. Also if benefits are not a problem, then
starting your own consulting practice might even be an option.
I'd say regardless of which way you're headed, a PE is much more important
(and easy to obtain) than an MSEE. With a little bit of creative
explanation on your application you might be able to sell you Navy
experience as engineering experience (it has been done before).
electricpete