Information Technology

Get Into IT ... As with all of our information here at Get Into Nuclear the aim is to not re-invent the wheel if all of the information is already out there, but to provide a route for you to easily locate, understand and more importantly take action to find yourself your dream role in one of the most exciting industries in the world at this moment in time. With this in mind for a brief overview and some key guidance in a couple of posts from totaljobs.com all around How to get into IT and IT industry job descriptions to give you a brief overview of the Information Technology arena, the roles available and the skills and qualifications that would be required to land a role: ​ It's also worth heading over to prospects.ac.uk and have a look at their information technology section which has a look of info on the sectors, the jobs, the training and course available to you. ​

Get Into Nuclear ... Now that you have it nailed which part of the IT field you fit into you need to consider how you can apply these skills into the nuclear industry. Firstly, a big requirement that you need to satisfy are the added vetting that is apparent within the nuclear industry - this is covered in a separate post. Depending upon the type of work, the company, the customer and the location so the works there will be varying levels of vetting and you will need to be able to satisfy these to land a role within the industry. Additionally, it should also be noted that security within the UK nuclear industry is very stringent and is probably set to become even more so. Experience of work in industries that have similar security issues and have a strong governance in place will ensure that you stand out from the crowd. ​

Roles ... At the time of writing when searching "nuclear information technology" on one of the major recruiting sites the first three jobs you'll find are: IT Manager, IT Support Technician and IT Security Officer. Each of these have differing roles and responsibilities for obvious reasons but the key differentiating requirements for the role for a similar role in a different industry are any specific experience surrounding the roles e.g. the particular companies system or processes and any specific vetting requirements.

Where to go from here ... This is all dependant upon your current qualifications, skills and experience: if you have extensive experience of working in the IT function but not necessarily in the UK Nuclear Industry you can check out our jobs page to find out what roles are going at this moment in time or search out Where To Find Jobs In Nuclear page. If you have limited experience and are just starting out you can still check out the current jobs page and have a look at the work available in the industry and also the associated salaries as this make be the deciding factor if you want to pursue a career down this path. Alternatively, if you have limited or no experience and want to find out more information on the qualifications and courses available to you check out the prospect.ac.uk website here to find out more information. We will be creating our own GetIntoNuclear specific pages in the near future; if you want to be informed when you do please register at our Contact Page.

The typical day for an IT professional in the nuclear industry can vary depending on the specific job position and company requirements. However, here is an example of what a typical day might look like:

1. Review Emails and Messages: The day may start with reviewing emails, messages, and notifications to stay updated on the latest issues, updates, and tasks.

2. Monitor and Troubleshoot Systems: The IT professional may spend time monitoring and troubleshooting computer systems, network devices, and software applications to ensure they are operating correctly and securely.

3. Collaborate with Team Members: IT professionals in the nuclear industry often work as part of a team, and they may collaborate with other team members, including engineers, technicians, and project managers, to discuss and address issues or plan new initiatives.

4. Participate in Meetings: IT professionals may attend meetings with other departments or team members to discuss project status, identify issues, and plan solutions.

5. Perform System Upgrades and Maintenance: IT professionals may perform routine system upgrades and maintenance tasks, including software upgrades, patch installations, backups, and disaster recovery tests.

6. Ensure Compliance with Industry Regulations: The IT professional may spend time ensuring that the computer systems and applications they support comply with industry regulations, including security standards, data privacy laws, and safety regulations.

7. Training and Professional Development: IT professionals may also engage in training and professional development activities, such as attending webinars, taking courses, and earning certifications to stay up to date with the latest technologies, industry regulations, and best practices.

Overall, a typical day for an IT professional in the nuclear industry can involve a mix of technical work, collaboration with team members, and compliance with industry regulations.