A Journey to Your Future

Make Discovering Your Career 

an Adventure

A Journey to Your Future

Make Discovering Your Career 

an Adventure
ii i

A Journey to 

Your Future

Make Discovering Your Career 

an Adventure

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Leadership Potential Program Class of 2010

Designed by John Orban and Eric Goss
ii iii iiiAbstract

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s 

Leadership Potential Program Class of 2010 presents, 

“A Journey to Your Future: Make Discovering Your 

Career an Adventure.” The Leadership Potential 

Program Class created this book for middle 

school students as a resource to help with one of 

life’s most challenging decisions—the choice of 

a career. This book provides information about 

careers, including educational requirements, types 

of work performed, and the impact of that work on 

the lives of others. The book is lighthearted, yet 

thought-provoking; imaginative, yet informative. 

Comments and/or suggestions on the information 

presented are welcomed and may be sent 

to the Director, Office of Small Business and 

Civil Rights, United States Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission, Washington, DC 20555-0001. 
iv

vContents

Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iii

Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii

What Do You Want To Be? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Chapter 1: Accountants and Budget Analysts . . . . . .3

Chapter 2: Administrative Support Staff . . . . . . . . . . .9

Chapter 3: Engineers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Chapter 4: Lawyers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Chapter 5: Information Technology Professionals . .23

Chapter 6: Investigators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Chapter 7: Scientists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Chapter 8: Security Specialists and Safeguards

Analysts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

About the Authors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
vi vi viiAcknowledgements

The Leadership Potential Program (LPP) Class 

of 2010 gratefully acknowledges the significant 

contributions of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory 

Commission (NRC). We offer a special thanks to 

Chris Barry, 2010 LPP facilitator, for his leadership, 

guidance, and tremendous effort to make the 

2010 program a meaningful and worthwhile 

experience. We thank NRC senior managers 

who, through their leadership briefs, shared their 

wisdom and best practices for achieving the NRC’s 

mission and upholding its values. We also give a 

special thanks to Marsha Gamberoni, 2010 LPP 

mentor, and to the NRC Offices of Administration 

and Small Business and Civil Rights for their 

unwavering support while we were developing, 

designing, and implementing this project.

Class participation in a week-long training experience at the U.S. Space and 

Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama focused on strengthening leadership skills.
viiiAcknowledgements

ixAcknowledgements

Front row L-R: Mary Spencer, Jason Shay, June Cai, 

Leslie Terry

Back row L-R: Kala Shankar, David Jones, Sandra Valencia

Front row L-R: Doug Broaddus, Colleen Todd, Dori Votolato

Back row L-R: Robert K. Johnson, Chris Barry, Kevin O’Sullivan, 

Gilly Martin

Front row L-R: Undine Shoop, Shana Helton, Florine Williams, 

Brian Doan

Back row L-R: Ray Kellar, Anthony Ulses, Ken Lambert

Front row L-R: Patricia Adelstine, Jason Dreisbach, Jeanne

Dempsey, Brooke Smith, Yoira Diaz-Sanabria

Back row L-R: Eric Oesterle, Michael McCoppin, 

Christopher Cook
What Do You Want To Be?

1What Do You Want To Be?

What do you 

want to be?

What Do You Want To Be?

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” How 

many times have you been asked this question? 

How many times has the answer changed? How 

do you find the one career that is right for you?

Finding a career that appeals to you and builds 

on your strengths can be like going on a journey. 

This adventure may guide you to a future as a 

leader. Or it may guide you to exciting work in 

science or engineering. Whatever career path 

you choose, we hope this book will make the 

journey easier, exciting, and worthwhile.

“A Journey to Your Future: Make Discovering Your 

Career an Adventure” focuses on the careers you 

can find at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 

The many exciting jobs here are the ones that we 

know the best. Most of us took a while to decide 

what we wanted to do because we weren’t sure 

which careers would use our strengths. Some of us 

spent years training for our career because halfway 

through studying for one career we found that it 

wasn’t something that we really liked. Sometimes 

we weren’t sure what we needed to do to prepare 

for the career we wanted. We developed this 

book because we wish we had a road map back 

then to help us discover our future career.

So now the question becomes this: 

Which career will you choose?
2

3Accountants and Budget Analysts

What do accountants 

and budget analysts do?

What Do Accountants and 

Budget Analysts Do?

Accountants analyze and track the way people 

and organizations earn and spend money. An 

accountant follows special rules (“financial rules”) 

and uses special tools to keep track of money. Some 

accountants review financial reports to find out if 

people or organizations followed the rules when 

they spent and earned money. Other accountants 

try to figure out the best ways to use computers and 

spreadsheets so that it is easy to keep track of money.

Accountants help people and businesses 

figure out how much money they must pay 

in taxes. There are many special rules that 

accountants must know to figure out (“calculate”) 

how much money is owed in taxes.

Accountants write detailed reports about money 

earned or spent. These reports sometimes 

describe patterns that are good or bad. 

Accountants try to figure out how to continue 

good patterns and change bad patterns.

Budget analysts help organizations plan how to 

spend money. Budget analysts develop reports that 

request money (“funding”) so that a business has 

the money to do the work it needs to do. A budget 

analyst has to figure out how much money will be 

earned, and how much money will be spent. A 

budget analyst makes sure businesses do not spend 

more than they have. Budget analysts have to give 

good reasons (“justifications”) when they ask for 

money. These justifications describe the purpose 

of the job, how long it will take to complete the job, 
4Accountants and Budget Analysts

5Accountants and Budget Analysts

and how many people are needed to complete the 

job. A budget analyst also decides how important 

each job is, and whether money is available. 

Budget analysts make sure that businesses spend 

money correctly—how, when, and where.

What Do Accountants and 

Budget Analysts Do at the NRC?

At the NRC, accountants keep track of how the NRC 

spends its money. This is a very hard job because 

the NRC gets money from many different places. The 

NRC needs money to inspect nuclear plants to make 

sure they are safe. The NRC also needs money to 

review new plant designs. Finally, the NRC needs 

money so that all of its workers can do their jobs.

Accountants at the NRC make sure employees 

follow financial rules for keeping track of money. 

It is important for the NRC to tell the public how 

taxpayers’ money was spent. Government 

accountants track money during the current year 

and develop budgets for the next 2 years.

At the NRC, budget analysts put together (“formulate”) 

the budget for the agency. There are many 

different offices within the NRC, and most offices 

have individual budgets. Budget analysts located 

throughout offices within the agency combine each 

of the office budgets into one larger budget. Budgets 

tell the work the NRC needs to do, the cost to do a 

job, and the number of people needed to complete 

the job. This is part of the NRC budget process.

Because of the large amounts of money needed 

to operate the agency, accountants and budget 

analysts have to be honest and trustworthy.

How Do I Become an Accountant 

or Budget Analyst?

To become an accountant or a budget analyst, you 

will need to go to college to study accounting and 

financial management—learning how to keep track 

of how people earn and spend money, and learning 

the financial rules that people and businesses have 

How do I become 

an accountant or 

budget analyst?
6Accountants and Budget Analysts

7Accountants and Budget Analysts

to follow. Accountants and budget analysts work 

with numbers, so you need to be good at math and 

problem solving. Some accountants also take a 

test to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). 

Becoming a CPA shows your commitment to using 

accounting principles in a fair and just manner.

If you want to work at the NRC, you need to have 

a security clearance. Getting a security clearance 

involves getting a background check. During the 

background check, government officials check to see 

if you have ever done anything illegal, abused drugs 

or alcohol, or made serious mistakes with money.

How does the work of an 

accountant or budget 

analyst affect others?

How Does the Work of an 

Accountant or Budget 

Analyst Affect Others?

At the NRC, accountants and budget analysts 

help other people do their work by making sure 

that they have the money and people they need. 

Accountants and budget analysts develop work 

estimates and analyze spending so that work 

does not have to be stopped because there’s no 

more money left. Budget analysts help people 

explain why money is needed for a job. 

Where Else Do Accountants 

or Budget Analysts Work?

Accountants and budget analysts work in many 

businesses and government agencies. Some 

accountants own their own business. Many budget 

analysts work in government agencies because 

of the need to track how taxpayer money is spent. 

Accountants and budget analysts work mostly in 

offices. Because of computers, email, and the 

Internet, some accountants work from home. 

Where Do I Go for 

More Information?

For more information about accountants, go to:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos001.htm

For more information about budget analysts, go to: 

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos003.htm
8

9Administrative Support Staff

What Does the Administrative 

Staff Do?

People who are part of the administrative staff do 

many different things and play many roles. Some 

people work as human resources specialists. They 

help hire and train new employees and help keep 

employees happy in the workplace. Management 

analysts collect and study information in order to 

make recommendations to supervisors. Some 

are administrative assistants (sometimes called 

“secretaries”). They type letters and reports, 

maintain files, schedule appointments, and 

keep track of time and attendance records.

What Does the Administrative 

Staff Do at the NRC?

Human resources specialists at the NRC make 

sure new employees know what their job is and get 

paid. They also help supervisors hire new people 

and get along with their employees. Sometimes this 

means giving advice about how to help an employee 

who isn’t doing a good job. Human resources 

specialists at the NRC are important employees 

who are trained to solve problems between people. 

They understand the laws and rules about how a 

boss should treat his or her employees and also 

how employees should behave while at work.

Management analysts are the people who keep 

track of tasks, documents, contracts, and other 

important things within the NRC. They also work 

with accountants to help develop the budget. 

Management analysts sometimes work with 

What does the 

administrative staff 

do at the NRC?
10Administrative Support Staff

11Administrative Support Staff

computers to help keep track of work and money. 

Management analysts help supervisors stay on 

top of all the work that needs to get done.

Administrative assistants at the NRC type letters 

and reports and prepare documents for approval 

by the supervisors. They are responsible for 

scheduling meetings, keeping track of important 

documents, and answering and forwarding phone 

calls. Administrative assistants at the NRC are 

usually responsible for keeping track of attendance 

for each employee in the organization.

How Do I Become an 

Administrative Staff Member?

Human resources specialists interact with many 

people every day, so you need to have good 

communication skills and to be a “people person.” 

You may consider taking college courses on how 

people behave, how a business operates, and 

psychology. If you follow this career path, you will 

have access to personal, personnel, and confidential 

information, so you must behave with integrity.

To be a management analyst, you should consider 

taking college courses in business, accounting, 

economics, statistics, or engineering. It will also be 

very important for you to be self-motivated and to be 

able to work on your own, without a lot of supervision.

If you are interested in being an administrative 

assistant, you will need to have excellent 

people skills because this job requires you to 

talk to people at different levels of the NRC. 

You will need to be very organized and able 

to juggle many tasks at the same time.

If you want to work at the NRC, you need to have 

a security clearance. Getting a security clearance 

involves getting a background check. During the 

background check, government officials check to see 

if you have ever done anything illegal, abused drugs 

or alcohol, or made serious mistakes with money.

How do I become 

an administrative 

staff member?
12Administrative Support Staff

13Engineers

How Does the Work of the 

Administrative Staff Affect Others?

The administrative staff affect other people in very 

direct ways. Human resources specialists help 

new employees get acquainted with the NRC and 

guide them throughout their careers. They also 

help employees and supervisors work through 

problems. Management analysts help decide what 

work will be performed. They may also request 

information from other people in the NRC and 

help track tasks, documents, and contracts.

Administrative assistants constantly interact 

with people. They schedule meetings, type 

memos, and file documents. They help people 

get work done and get products distributed.

Where Else Does 

Administrative Staff Work?

Human resources specialists, management 

analysts, and administrative assistants support 

the day-to-day workings of businesses and 

agencies everywhere in the world.

Where Do I Go for 

More Information?

Administrative assistant, go to: 

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos151.htm 

Human resources specialist, go to: 

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos021.htm

Management analyst, go to: 

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos019.htm

What do engineers do?

What Do Engineers Do?

Engineers build and operate things like cars, trains, 

and planes. They also work on buildings, bridges, 

and skyscrapers. Some engineers operate nuclear 

power plants, chemical plants, and factory assembly 

lines. Others design medical devices such as 

pacemakers and artificial limbs. Even computers 

are designed by engineers. Engineers study 

things like math, sciences, and the environment. 

Engineers make life easier by creating things like 

electricity. They also make fun things, such as bikes, 

computer games, and amusement park rides.
14Engineers

15Engineers

What Do Engineers 

Do at the NRC?

Engineers at the NRC make sure that new and 

existing nuclear power plants are safe. They also 

make sure that the facilities that make fuel for these 

plants are operated safely. When the fuel is stored 

in containers to be shipped or stored somewhere 

else, engineers make sure the container designs 

are safe, too. Engineers at the NRC do these 

things by reviewing safety reports and inspecting 

the plants and factories. Engineers may also 

work as project managers and supervisors.

Engineers at the NRC specialize in different technical 

areas. For example, an engineer might be an 

expert on how different materials react to heat or 

cold. This type of engineer is called a mechanical 

engineer. Other engineers, called civil engineers, 

make sure that buildings and other structures are 

strong enough to do what they are supposed to 

do. Nuclear engineers are experts on how radiation 

interacts with matter and make sure that buildings, 

containers, and machinery are designed to keep 

people safe from radiation. Industrial engineers make 

sure that systems are designed to be easy for people 

to use, to help keep people from making mistakes. 

These are just a few examples of the kinds of things 

that engineers at the NRC work on every day.

Engineers at the NRC are constantly working to make 

sure that the public and the environment are protected 

from radiation. Engineers at the NRC read reports, 

take training to stay sharp, and work with computers. 

Their work involves math, physics, chemistry, and 

other subjects. Some engineers review reports to 

make sure that the calculations used in the reports 

are correct. Other engineers are project managers 

who help the NRC communicate with the nuclear 

power plant. Some engineers work as inspectors 

at nuclear facilities to make sure that everything is 

being done safely. Some engineers are supervisors.

What Do Nuclear Engineers 

Do at the NRC?

Nuclear engineers make sure that nuclear power 

plants (and anything else regulated by the NRC) 

are safe. Nuclear engineers also make sure that 

people are safe from radiation. Nuclear engineers 

know a lot about how radiation interacts with 

matter. They are also experts on how fission 

(the splitting of a uranium atom) works and make 

sure that fission reactions are controlled safely.

How do I become 

an engineer?
16Engineers

17Engineers

What do chemical 

engineers do at the NRC?

What Do Civil Engineers 

Do at the NRC?

Civil engineers make sure that nuclear plants are 

protected from “natural phenomena.” Natural 

phenomena include earthquakes, tornadoes, 

hurricanes, heavy rains, snow, and flooding. Civil 

engineers make sure that buildings and equipment 

can withstand all of these events—even earthquakes.

What Do Mechanical 

Engineers Do at the N?

Mechanical engineers make sure that equipment can 

operate at certain pressures and temperatures. They 

make sure that pumps, piping, and ventilation systems 

work. Mechanical engineers look at how water and 

steam flow through pipes at a nuclear power plant. 

They also do things like making sure that pipes are 

built, installed, and tested so that they are safe.

What Do Chemical Engineers 

Do at the N?

Chemical engineers analyze chemical processes 

to ensure that they are used safely. They make 

sure that people and the environment are safe from 

chemicals. To make sure that dangerous chemicals 

do not contaminate the environment, they analyze 

chemicals in the water and air near power plants.

How Do I Become an Engineer?

If you want to be an engineer, you will have to 

graduate from college and earn a Bachelor of 

Science degree. When you are in high school, you 

should take classes in math, including geometry, 

algebra, and calculus. You should also take 

science classes, including physics, chemistry, 

biology, and geology and earth science. You 

should also check out special courses, projects, 

or field trips that focus on computers, technology, 

robotics, or similar activities. Reading, writing, 

and speaking skills are also important.

Once you go to college, you may choose one of 

many different types of engineering degrees, such 

as architectural, aerospace, biomedical, chemical, 

civil, environmental, electrical, industrial, marine, 

materials, mechanical, mining, nuclear, petroleum, 

and structural. Once you graduate with your 

Bachelor of Science degree, you can earn a Masters 

of Science in Engineering by studying another 2 

years or so. After earning an engineering degree, 

most graduates take a test called the Engineer-inTraining (EIT) exam. The EIT will test how much 

you know about engineering fundamentals. You 
18Engineers

19Lawyers

must pass the EIT to get a Professional Engineers 

(PE) license. To get a PE license, you must also 

work under the supervision of a PE for 4 years. 

Becoming a PE shows your commitment to the 

safety of engineered products and services.

If you want to work at the NRC, you need to have 

a security clearance. Getting a security clearance 

involves getting a background check. During the 

background check, government officials check to see 

if you have ever done anything illegal, abused drugs 

or alcohol, or made serious mistakes with money.

How Does the Work of an 

Engineer Affect Others?

The work of engineers helps to make our lives 

easier. Engineers build bridges that allow us to 

cross rivers. Engineers design air conditioners 

that keep us cool. They operate plants that make 

electricity and even design computer games that 

entertain us. An engineer designed the roof over 

your head that keeps you dry when it rains.

Where Else Do Engineers Work?

Engineers work everywhere. Almost every 

company that operates equipment or makes 

a product has engineers. Engineers also 

work in Federal and State governments.

Where Do I Go for More Information?

For more information about engineers and how to 

become one, go to: http://www.nspe.org or 

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm

What Do Lawyers Do?

Lawyers (also called “attorneys”) are advisors and 

representatives. People who are helped by lawyers 

are called clients. Lawyers help clients avoid or solve 

legal problems. They advise their clients of their 

legal rights and responsibilities. They also advise 

people of the consequences of their actions. Lawyers 

must listen carefully to their client’s questions and 

concerns. They do legal research to help think of 

possible actions to help avoid or solve problems.

Sometimes, lawyers represent clients before 

courts, legislative bodies, and administrative 

boards. Lawyers must research the laws, 

statutes, regulations, ordinances, and judicial 

decisions to help their client’s case.

Lawyers hold positions of great responsibility 

and must obey strict rules of professional and 

What do lawyers do?
20Lawyers

21Lawyers

ethical conduct. These rules require lawyers to 

be knowledgeable, hard-working, and timely when 

serving clients. Lawyers who fail to obey these rules 

may be punished by being banned from working 

as a lawyer temporarily—or even permanently.

Not all lawyers work as lawyers. Some lawyers 

use their legal education to pursue other careers. 

Lawyers can be found working in international 

relations, finance, and civil rights. Some lawyers 

serve in public office. Others, after gaining 

experience as a lawyer, become judges.

What Do Lawyers Do at the NRC?

Some NRC lawyers represent the NRC’s technical 

staff in licensing and enforcement cases before 

administrative boards and the Commission. 

Other NRC lawyers develop rules for safe and 

secure operation of nuclear power plants and the 

safe and secure production and use of nuclear 

materials. They also argue cases in the United 

States Courts of Appeals. NRC lawyers can 

advise NRC employees on nearly every part of 

the NRC’s work. Lawyers must act with integrity, 

openness, and respect to do their jobs well.

How Can I Become a Lawyer?

If you want to be a lawyer, you will need to graduate 

from college and then go to law school. After you 

graduate from law school, you will have to pass a 

very tough exam known as a bar exam. In college, 

you should major in a subject that helps develop your 

reading, writing, problem solving, and speaking skills. 

When you are in high school, you should take classes 

in English, literature, history, and civics, and study 

a foreign language. Do not forget to take math and 

science classes! Participating in speech competitions, 

debate teams, mock trial teams, and theater can 

also help you develop skills used by lawyers.

If you want to work at the NRC, you need to have 

a security clearance. Getting a security clearance 

involves getting a background check. During the 

What do lawyers 

do at the NRC?
22Lawyers

23Information Technology Professionals

background check, government officials check to see 

if you have ever done anything illegal, abused drugs 

or alcohol, or made serious mistakes with money.

How Does the Work of a 

Lawyer Affect Others?

The people most affected by a lawyer’s work 

are a lawyer’s clients. A lawyer’s clients may be 

individuals, organizations, businesses, or parts of the 

government. They may also include the citizens of 

a county, city, or state. A client can even be all the 

citizens of the United States. Lawyers work within a 

legal system that affects almost every part of our lives.

Where Else Do Lawyers Work?

Lawyers work in offices, law libraries, and courtrooms. 

Lawyers spend much of their time researching and 

writing. They may travel to meet with clients, gather 

evidence, or appear before courts or other legal 

authorities. Many lawyers work in law firms. Some 

lawyers work for banks or other businesses. Other 

lawyers work for local, county, or State governments. 

Still others work for the Federal Government.

Where Do I Go for 

More Information? 

For more information about lawyers and how to 

become a lawyer, go to: 

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos053.htm and 

http://www.bls.gov/k12/law02.htm. 

What Do Information Technology 

Professionals Do?

Information technology professionals (often called 

“IT professionals”) work with computers and a 

variety of other technologies. They develop and 

maintain the information technology systems that 

support a company’s operations. These systems 

may include phone systems or computer systems. 

IT professionals can work with regular phones 

What do information 

technology professionals do?
24Information Technology Professionals

25Information Technology Professionals

and cell phones, desktop computers, and laptop 

computers. They also work with large data computers 

called servers. All of these systems connected 

together are called a network. IT professionals 

may also create Web sites (such as Google) and 

computer software (such as a video game).

What Do Information Technology 

Professionals Do at the N?

IT professionals at the NRC have many 

responsibilities. They are responsible for the 

agency’s computer systems. They help employees 

when there are problems with their computers. 

They also make recommendations about what 

information technology products the agency should 

buy. IT professionals also manage the NRC’s 

communications equipment. They are responsible for 

all of the phone systems at the NRC. They provide 

support for video-teleconferencing. IT professionals 

also help support the NRC’s Operations Center. 

This is a very important job because the NRC uses 

the Operations Center for emergencies. Finally, IT 

professionals are responsible for how employees and 

the public access the agency’s information. They 

maintain the NRC’s internal and external Web pages.

How Do I Become an Information 

Technology Professional?

If you want to work with information technology, 

you will need to go to college and earn a bachelor’s 

degree. Or you may go to a technical institute, which 

requires 2 years of study instead of the typical 4 

years in a college. While you are in middle and high 

school, you should take classes in math, science, 

computer science, and Web site development.

If you want to work at the NRC, you need to have 

a security clearance. Getting a security clearance 

involves getting a background check. During the 

background check, government officials check to see 

if you have ever done anything illegal, abused drugs 

or alcohol, or made serious mistakes with money.

How Does the Work of an 

Information Technology 

Professional Affect Others?

IT professionals make it possible for organizations to 

automate their daily work operations and activities. 

Every facet of technology that is used as part of the 

day-to-day operations of an organization is developed 

and maintained by IT professionals, including phone 

systems, computer systems, Web sites, and software.

How do I become an 

information technology 

professional?
26Information Technology Professionals

27Investigators

Where Else Do Information 

Technology Professionals Work?

Almost every workplace that has telephones or 

computers employs IT professionals. Information 

technology professionals work in almost every 

industry or business. They can also be found 

in most government agencies and nonprofit 

organizations. Some IT professionals own 

their own companies, while others support 

large corporations or governments. 

Where Do I Go for 

More Information?

For more information about IT professionals and how 

to become one, go to: 

http://www.bls.gov/k12/computers.htm. 

What Do Investigators Do?

Investigators search for information or ask people 

questions about an event, such as an accident or 

a crime. They connect clues to find facts about 

legal, financial, or personal matters. An investigator 

can work at a public agency, such as a police 

department, or at a private firm. Some investigate 

Where can I go for 

more information?
28Investigators

29Investigators

do background checks. Sometimes investigators 

use cameras and microphones; sometimes 

they do computer searches to do their jobs.

What Do Investigators 

Do at the NRC?

At the NRC, investigators look for illegal 

behavior by the people or companies that the 

NRC regulates. NRC investigators have slightly 

different roles than police investigators. This is 

because NRC investigators have to know about 

laws that regulate people and companies. NRC 

investigators work the same way as other types of 

investigators—they do interviews and computer 

database searches. NRC investigations start 

when the NRC gets a tip, or after an inspection.

Some investigators at the NRC focus their 

attention on NRC workers and procedures. These 

investigators are looking for people wasting 

money, committing a fraud, and other kinds of poor 

performance. One of the main focuses of these 

investigators is to figure out if NRC employees may 

be threatening health and safety by performing poorly.

The NRC also has investigators known as civil rights 

specialists. They investigate and try to resolve 

disagreements between agency employees.

How Can I Become 

an Investigator?

If you want to be an investigator, you need to have 

special skills that are usually learned on the job. 

computer crimes, such as identity theft. Others 

work for lawyers to investigate individuals who 

may have done something against the law. They 

also conduct surveillance to prove that people 

are telling the truth about where they are and 

what they are doing. Sometimes investigators 

go undercover, pretending to be someone else in 

order to get information. They interview people and 

What do investigators 

do at the NRC?
30Investigators

31Investigators

You should consider getting a college degree in 

criminal justice. Some investigator jobs may require 

that you have worked in law enforcement. If you 

want to be an investigator who works mostly with 

computers, you will need to get a college degree in 

computer science. For some types of investigative 

work, such as investigating businesses, you 

may need a college degree in accounting. Many 

investigators have special training from the military 

or law enforcement agencies. Investigators should 

know about court decisions on constitutional 

rights, and what evidence can be used in court. 

NRC investigators have college degrees and at 

least 5 years of experience as an investigator.

Investigators must be neutral and objective, 

which means that they do not take sides. 

Their primary interest is learning and 

sharing the facts about a situation.

If you want to work at the NRC, you need to have 

a security clearance. Getting a security clearance 

involves getting a background check. During the 

background check, government officials check to see 

if you have ever done anything illegal, abused drugs 

or alcohol, or made serious mistakes with money.

How Does the Work of 

Investigators Affect Others?

Investigators can provide evidence that leads 

to a person going to jail. Investigators can 

help someone find something—or someone—

that is missing. Investigators who work for the 

police help protect people from crimes.

NRC investigators help to make sure that people 

and companies are following the NRC’s rules. 

This means that NRC investigators help keep the 

public and the environment safe from radiation. 

They also make sure that NRC employees are 

following rules and doing the best work they can.

Where Else Do 

Investigators Work?

Investigators work for many different public and 

private agencies. They work for cities, counties, 

or states. Some investigators work for lawyers, 

helping them find evidence for their cases. 

Investigators also work for private companies 

that do research on many different topics.

Where Do I Go for 

More Information?

For more information on the different types of 

investigator jobs available in your area, go to: 

www.indeed.com/q-Investigator-jobs.html. 

Another site to check for information about 

investigators is http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos157.htm.

Where else do 

investigators work?
32 33Scientists

What Do Scientists Do?

Scientists usually do research and analysis and 

perform experiments to gain new knowledge or 

develop new materials. Scientists work closely with 

engineers. Scientists use math, physics, chemistry, 

and biology to improve life for people. Scientists have 

made most of the major new discoveries during the 

last few centuries and continue to take the lead in 

expanding our knowledge through scientific discovery.

What Do Scientists 

Do at the NRC?

Scientists at the NRC help with the agency’s 

technical work. This involves reviewing designs 

for nuclear power plants and the fuel that they 

use. Scientists also make sure that containers 

used to ship and store new and used nuclear 

fuel are safe. They even look at the places that 

make nuclear fuel to be sure that they are safe. 

Scientists learn about things such as soil, rocks, 

rivers, streams, lakes, oceans, and annual weather 

What do scientists 

do at the NRC?
34Scientists

35Scientists

buildings do not settle, crack, or fail under these 

conditions. Geologists may also do inspections or 

help with investigations. Sometimes, geologists 

drill many holes in the ground to take and study 

small amounts of soil and rock. These tests 

are very important for finding out how to design 

buildings and structures for any new nuclear 

facility. The tests are also very important for finding 

out how things move around after getting spilled 

onto the ground during a nuclear accident.

What Do Statisticians 

Do at the NRC?

Statisticians at the NRC use statistics (a type 

of math) to help the NRC figure out how risky a 

decision might be. They also consider other factors 

to help the NRC make decisions. Statisticians 

help develop recommendations for how the 

NRC regulates its licensees. They also use 

computers to help prepare for emergencies.

What Do Physicists 

Do at the NRC?

Physicists at the NRC perform reviews to make 

sure that facilities are safe. Physicists analyze what 

could happen in a potential accident to make sure 

that the public and environment are not exposed 

to too much radiation. Physicists at the NRC may 

also do research to learn more about things like 

new materials or fire safety. They may also help 

develop new computer software to help predict 

how nuclear reactors (or other things) will work. 

Physicists at the NRC may also do inspections.

conditions at each nuclear location. Scientists look 

at all of this information to help protect the public 

and environment from radiation. Sometimes, 

scientists help perform inspections of things 

regulated by the NRC. Scientists may also become 

project managers and supervisors at the NRC.

What Do Geologists 

Do at the NRC?

Geologists at the NRC are experts on such 

things as soil type and density, seismic hazards, 

and groundwater. They make sure that the soil 

and crushed stone (or other dense materials) 

used under and around buildings behave within 

limits during natural events like earthquakes 

and flooding. Geologists help to make sure that 

What do geologists 

do at the NRC?
36Scientists

37Scientists

What Do Health Physicists 

Do at the NRC?

Health physicists at the NRC are experts on how 

radiation affects humans, plants, and animals. 

Health physicists make sure that people and the 

environment do not get exposed to too much 

radiation. They also review how nuclear materials 

are used to be sure that they are used safely. Health 

physicists inspect facilities to make sure that workers 

are exposed to as little radiation as possible.

How Do I Become a Scientist?

If you want to be a scientist, you will need to go 

to college to earn a Bachelor of Science degree. 

You may also need an additional degree, called a 

master’s degree. In college, you may choose one 

of many different types of science degrees, such as 

astronomy, biology, chemistry, environmental science, 

geology, earth science, medicine, meteorology 

(weather), oceanography, metallurgy, or physics. 

When you are in high school, you should take classes 

in math, including geometry, algebra, statistics, and 

calculus. You should also take physics, chemistry, 

biology, environmental science, and geology and 

earth science. You should check out special courses, 

projects, or field trips that focus on computers, 

technology, robotics, or similar activities. Reading, 

writing, and speaking skills are also important.

If you want to work at the NRC, you need to have 

a security clearance. Getting a security clearance 

involves getting a background check. During the 

background check, government officials check to see 

if you have ever done anything illegal, abused drugs 

or alcohol, or made serious mistakes with money.

How Does the Work of a 

Scientist Affect Others?

Scientists help expand our understanding of the 

world through research and testing. They also help 

invent new products and develop new services. 

Scientists may also help ensure the safety of the 

public and the environment. In general, the work of 

a scientist helps to make our lives easier and safer.

How does the work of a 

scientist affect others?
38Scientists

39Security Specialists and Safeguards Analysts

What Do Security Specialists 

and Safeguards Analysts Do?

A security specialist provides safety for people, 

property, and computers. The job of a security 

specialist can take many forms. A security 

specialist could be a bodyguard for a celebrity 

or a guard for a special building. Some security 

specialists protect computer networks from 

hackers. They use special software and watch the 

network for hackers. They try to prevent breaches 

and fix the network after attacks happen.

Where Else Do Scientists Work?

Scientists work at colleges, universities, and 

national laboratories, where they do research, 

testing, and teaching. They also do research 

and testing in various industries, companies, and 

sectors of the Federal and State governments.

Where Do I Go for 

More Information?

For more information about different kinds of scientists 

and how to become a scientist, go to these Web sites:

Atmospheric Scientists: 

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos051.htm

Biological Scientists: 

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos047.htm

Chemists and Materials Scientists: 

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos049.htm 

Environmental Scientists: 

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos311.htm 

Geologists and Hydrologists: 

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos312.htm 

Physicists and Astronomers: 

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos052.htm 

What do security specialists 

and safeguards analysts do?
40Security Specialists and Safeguards Analysts

41Security Specialists and Safeguards Analysts

keep a watchful eye for intruders by monitoring 

things like motion detectors, alarms, walls, and 

fences. Security specialists and security analysts 

know the best way to respond to emergencies.

Security specialists at the NRC also make sure 

that nuclear material does not get stolen or used 

for terrorist activities. Security specialists make 

sure that nuclear material is safe while it is being 

used, stored, and transported. Safeguards 

analysts write the rules that security specialists 

use. They help security specialists figure out 

the best ways to protect nuclear material.

How Can I Become a Security 

Specialist or Safeguards Analyst?

Security specialists and safeguards analysts have 

special skills. If you want to be a security specialist 

or a safeguards analyst, you will need to either go 

to college or get trained by someone who is already 

experienced. Most security specialists have military 

or law enforcement training and experience. Security 

specialists who protect computers have special 

training and experience in the hardware and software 

that protects computers and telecommunications.

Safeguards analysts protect important nuclear 

material by keeping track of how much nuclear 

material there is and where it is located, much 

like a bank accounts for money. This makes 

sure that nuclear material does not fall into 

the wrong hands, since terrorists or other 

criminals could steal nuclear material secretly if 

this information is not tracked. Protecting this 

important information about nuclear material helps 

to protect the public and the environment.

What Do Security Specialists 

and Safeguards Analysts 

Do at the NRC?

Security specialists and security analysts at the 

NRC ensure the safety and security of nuclear 

materials and buildings where nuclear materials 

are stored. They might do this by looking at the 

security of a building. Some nuclear material is 

more hazardous than others. Security specialists 

make sure the most hazardous nuclear materials are 

in the strongest and most secure buildings. They 

How can I become a 

security specialist or 

safeguards analyst?
42Security Specialists and Safeguards Analysts

43Security Specialists and Safeguards Analysts

affect the public. They also analyze crime and 

recommend ways to eliminate it. Sometimes security 

specialists are bodyguards or security guards. 

Where Do I Go for 

More Information?

To find out more about how to become a security 

specialist, go to: 

http://degreedirectory.org/articles/How_Do_I_

Become_a_Security_Specialist.html.

For more information on the different types of security 

specialist jobs available in your area, go to: 

http://www.securityspecialistjobs.com.

If you want to work at the NRC, you need to have 

a security clearance. Getting a security clearance 

involves getting a background check. During the 

background check, government officials check to see 

if you have ever done anything illegal, abused drugs 

or alcohol, or made serious mistakes with money.

How Does the Work of Security 

Specialists and Safeguards 

Analysts Affect Others?

Security specialists and safeguards analysts protect 

the public. They make sure that nuclear material 

is kept out of the wrong hands, and that it is used 

safely. At the NRC, they make sure that nuclear 

materials aren’t used by terrorists to harm people. 

Security specialists and safeguards analysts work 

with the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the 

Central Intelligence Agency, and Nuclear Security 

Administration—the “intelligence community.” 

The analysts make sure that users of nuclear 

material are good at keeping track of how much 

nuclear material they have and where it is. They 

also make sure that users of nuclear material 

have plans in place in case of emergencies.

Where Else Do Security 

Specialists and Safeguards 

Analysts Work?

Security specialists protect people, property, and 

computer networks in all areas of the community. 

In the military and on police forces, a security 

specialist identifies situations where terrorists may 

Where do I go for 

more information?
44Conclusion

45Conclusion

Which Career Did You Choose?

“A Journey to Your Future: Make Discovering Your 

Career an Adventure” answers your questions about 

certain careers: the educational requirements, types 

of work, and effects on the lives of others. This 

book also has information about additional career 

resources. We hope that after reading “A Journey 

to Your Future: Make Discovering Your Career an 

Adventure”, you are closer to making a decision 

about your career—a career that will be exciting, that 

will build on your strengths, and that might result in 

your becoming known as an “expert” in your field.

Once you’ve become an expert in your 

career field, you can continue to do great 

work by becoming a leader. This could mean 

that you supervise or manage a group of 

people or that you manage a project. 

At the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 

leaders help make sure that the agency meets 

its goals. Leaders accomplish this by working 

hard to connect the agency’s values of integrity, 

service, openness, commitment, cooperation, 

excellence, and respect with its mission to 

protect people and the environment.

Thank you for your interest in this book, 

and good luck on your journey!

Which career did

you choose?
46 47About the Authors

The U. S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 

periodically conducts training programs for 

employees who demonstrate they have potential 

to be leaders. One such program is called 

the Leadership Potential Program (LPP). 

This book, “A Journey to Your Future: Make 

Discovering Your Career an Adventure,” was 

developed by the LPP class of 2010 as an action 

learning project and demonstrates our commitment 

to public service and interest in helping provide 

insight to students who are exploring career 

choices. “A Journey to Your Future: Make 

Discovering Your Career an Adventure” is a book 

that we wish we had when we were beginning to 

think about our careers, because it provides so 

much information about how to prepare, what type 

of work to expect, and what the rewards may be 

for many exciting, different careers. We hope the 

book helps you find your way on your journey.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Leadership 

Potential Program of 2010 includes:

Doug Broaddus

June Cai

Christopher Cook

Yoira Diaz-Sanabria

Jason Dreisbach

Shana Helton

Robert K. Johnson

David Jones

Ray Kellar

Ken Lambert

Gilly Martin

Michael McCoppin

Kevin O’Sullivan

Eric Oesterle

Kala Shankar

Jason Shay

Undine Shoop

Brooke Smith

Mary Spencer

Leslie Terry

Colleen Todd

Anthony Ulses

Sandra Valencia

Dori Votolato

Florine Williams
48 49
50 51
NUREG/BR-0474

June 2010