Where do I sign up?

January 2014.

Applications.

Personal Statement.

I started working on my personal statement at the beginning of January and making applications. Before I did all that I had to think real hard about the following questions in no particular order.

WHY DO I WANT TO DO THIS?

HOW WILL I COPE WITH BEING AWAY FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME?

IS THIS LIFESTYLE REALLY FOR ME?

WHERE DO I WANT TO GO WITH THIS?

HOW DO I PROGRESS IN THIS CAREER?

IS THERE JOB SECURITY IN THIS SECTOR?

HOW IS THE COURSE LAID OUT?

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I GET?

WHAT DOES A DECK OFFICER DO EXACTLY?

WHAT TYPES OF VESSELS ARE OUT THERE?

WHO ARE THE SPONSORS?

WHICH IS THE BEST COLLEGE?

I won't be able to answer those questions for anyone but myself. But if your answer to any of those is 'I don't know' or 'I'm not sure' then STOP and find out the answer. You have to consider that whoever sponsors you is putting a whole lot of money into you and a truckload of trust. You are also dedicating a chunk of your life to this. Is it worth it?

Lecture over.

I was given a lot of advice when I went to Warsash open days. I, initially wanted to go on cruise ships. I realised, pretty quickly, that it was highly competitive and I was made aware that a lot of your time is spent entertaining guests and not really learning the practicalities of the job. If I do a job I want to know how to do it well, so that was an important factor for me.

I began researching other vessels and what they had to offer. I'm not a person who is phased by being away from family for long periods of time. I've lived independently since I was 16 without regular contact. With that in mind, I decided on containers ships and supply vessels. 

I applied to various shipping companies, even cruise ships because I wasn't going to narrow down my options. Reason for that is I am willing to do whatever it takes to get my ticket.

Within a month I received interview invites with Maersk and SSTG.