Nautical and marine graduates have other career opportunities available aside from becoming a seafarer.
You don’t have to blindly follow the crowd and take the path most taken. Its already overcrowded and many gave up that idea due to desperation.
Besides, we sometimes know in our heart that seafaring is not for us. I met quiet a few who can’t adapt to the life at sea. However, they are very interested in working in the maritime industry.
If you are one of those people, read on. But first, let’s take a look why career opportunities for nautical and marine graduates seem few and limited. This can be rooted in school.
Its not taught in school
In maritime college, we are sold to the idea of seeing the world for free while earning real dollars. We saw this as good. Working on merchant ships seemed like the only path if we take BSMT or BSMarE course.
Besides, the curriculum have specific program description to those taking nautical or marine courses. It is anchored on Regulation II/I of the STCW Convention, 1978, as amended.
Specifically, it states that maritime education program shall cover mandatory education and training of Officers in Charge of Navigational Watch and Engineering Watch.
Such training puts emphasis in becoming a competent officer.
The idea strengthens with the establishments of maritime scholarships all over the country.
Specific Professions/ Career Opportunities for BSMT and BSMarE Graduates
During my time in college, I only know of two things where this career could go. First was working on merchant ships. The second was becoming part of the Philippine Coast Guard.
However, there are other options that we can explore here. If you feel that seafaring is not for you, take a look at these career opportunities.
Career Professions for Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) and Marine Engineering (BSMarE) Graduates
graduate of BSMT and BSMarE program may find careers in the following fields.
1) Merchant Marine profession including offshore – normal go to of maritime graduates.
2) Maritime Industry– everything related to maritime sector often ancillary to shipping. They are shore based and have direct involvment with ships.
- Ship building and ship repair– shipyard jobs. If you happen to be in a shipyard, observe how they work especially the high ranking officers.
- Ship operations and management– running the ship on the shore side. This is where crewing, company employees and superintendents belong.
- Port operations and management– in charge of the safe and efficient movements in port. Examples for career opportunities in this area are port managers, harbor master, port captains, vessel traffic control officers.
- Ship surveying and inspection– third party surveyors for vessels or its cargoes. This may include port state control officers, vetting inspectors, cargo surveyors, class surveyors, technicians, among others.
- Ship Brokerage– connecting shipowners and cargo owners. You serve as a middle man between the two so that a business is made.
- Ship Chandling– providing orders and requisitions for ships like spare parts and provisions.
- Shipping Agents– provide vessels with all the necessary documents and information in a certain port. Assists vessels with everything they need before and during port stay.
3) Maritime Education and Training– if you want to impart your knowledge and experience, you can teach in CHED and MARINA accredited maritime schools or training centers in Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas or Mindanao.
4) Government– the government also needs talents and skills to best run its maritime sector including defense.
- Philippine Navy– task of protecting the sovereignty of our country within our territorial waters.
- Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)– performs maritime search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, maritime safety, marine environmental protection and maritime security.
- Maritime Industry Authority– lately, MARINA is hiring seafarers who want to work with them.
Additional Training
Each of these professions may require additional training specific to the job. This is normal and is similar to working on merchant vessels.
The more you go up the rank in the shipboard organization, the more training courses you need to take.
Nautical and engineering graduates basically have the same career options. But the way I look at it, engineers has more opportunities due to their skills.
The list here is not exhaustive. Most of them have pays that don’t match that of on board. However, such career opportunities opens you to different choices.
May the winds be on your favor.
