Nuclear engineering undergraduates typically follow one of two paths upon graduation: the pursuit of employment or the pursuit of a graduate education. Students who follow the below goal-specific guidelines have greater success post-graduation.
Employment
Students who plan on pursuing employment upon graduation greatly increase their chances of immediate employment by participating in summer internships or co-op assignments.
TCE students are fortunate to have two offices to guide them as they obtain experience and then transition into the full-time job search. If you are a first-year student or sophomore, your first career contact should be Engineering Professional Practice to discuss opportunities available to you as a co-op student or through engineering internships. If you have other career questions, engineering students are always welcome to schedule an appointment with your TCE Career Consultant Scott Cousino with the Center for Career Development and Exploration at any time as a student and as an alumnus.
In your junior year, you should schedule your first appointment or a return visit with your TCE Career Consultant Scott Cousino to begin or update your career action plan. And as a senior or graduate student, it is imperative that you have finalized your resume and be fully prepared for the job search and interview process by September 1st of your senior or graduating year (that pertains to both December and May graduates). Students are often unaware that many of the engineering job offers are made through the fall recruiting season, so a final appointment with the TCE Consultant is recommended by September 1st to be sure that you are fully prepared.
Below are some helpful steps to help you on your journey.
- Get registered with Handshake (profile and resume) and pay attention to the career e-mails on special events, jobs and resources.
- Get experience, engineering-related is best, through co-ops, internships, part-time jobs or volunteer positions and think about your accomplishments for your resume and interviews.
- Visit a Job Fair before your senior year to begin networking and planning your strategy.
- Network with companies when they visit campus and build your contacts.
- Get involved and seek leadership roles—student groups, athletics, volunteer/community opportunities, band, etc.—this can make a difference to an employer.
- Practice for interviews—never wait until the night before to start preparing.
- Leverage UT resources to begin your career action plan and then make an appointment to visit your Career Consultant Scott Cousino early and often.
Graduate School
Students who plan on pursuing graduate school should get involved with undergraduate research and/or pursue summer internships at national laboratories. For undergraduate research opportunities please email your resume and research interest to Associate Professor and Assistant Head for Undergraduate Studies and Service, Jamie Coble, and check out the Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships.
Important Dates
August:
- Schedule an appointment to meet with your Career Consultant Scott Cousino
September – November:
- Attend Study Abroad Fair hosted by Programs Abroad Office
- Attend Fall Job Fair hosted by the Center for Career Development and Exploration (September)
- Attend the Engineering Expo hosted by the Office of Engineering Professional Practice (September)
- Apply to Internships and Co-Ops
January:
- Schedule an appointment to meet with your Career Consultant Scott Cousino
- Attend Study Abroad Fair
February – March:
- Attend Spring Job Fair hosted by Center for Career Development and Exploration
- Attend the Engineering Expo hosted by the Office of Engineering Professional Practice
March – April:
- Check to see about undergraduate summer research