How do I become a Merchant Mariner?

Merchant Mariner Exploratory Interview?

• I need at least 3 exploratory interviews for my Careers Class in High School. If you know anyone that is a merchant mariner please send me they're email or if you are one yourself could you please answer these questions. Don't feel like you have to answer all of them. 1. How and why did you start your career? 2. Did you originally want to do this? Why? If not, what was the direction? 3. What do you like and dislike about your job? 4. What hours do you work? Typical Day? 5. What benefits do you enjoy from your career? (Compensation, time off, other benefits) 6. What is your work environment like? 7. Do you any opportunity for additional pay? Is it significant as far as reward? 8. What are personal qualities, skills or experiences are needed for success in this career? 9. Why have people failed at this career? 10. How does your career impact your lifestyle, both negative and positive? 11. Could you see yourself retiring? Why and When? 12. How long did it take for you to get to this current position? Is there a typical path? 13. How did you get to this current position? 14. What are your long-term career aspirations? 15. If you have already reached this goal, what are your new goals? 16. What is your reward for this career? (Money, Satisfaction) 17. What made you interested in this career? 18. What advice do you have for someone interested in starting this career? 19. What education and experience did you need for your career? 20. How long do you plan on staying in your career? Changing career? To what?

• Answer:

  1). I had always wanted to try it, and was afraid that I would be too old to start if I waited any longer. 2). I was a marine scientist, but I spent more time with the crew on my boat than with my associates. 3). Being away from home is hard, but the pay is great, and the job satisfaction is beyond anything else. 4). It varies with the job. I started out at 8-12 hours a day, but as your rank advances, the hours become more variable. My typical day now is to be up at 5:30, at my desk by 6, and out on deck by 7 for a walk-around. Meeting at breakfast, paperwork after, and up and down to the bridge pretty regularly. I like to eat a fast dinner early, then relieve the watchstander and take the navigation watch to let the mate on watch relax for a little over his chow. After dinner, I spend an hour on the bridge, write up night orders, send my emails for the evening, then I can shower and relax for an hour or two before bed. I'll come back up on the bridge just before bed to look over the charts for the night, then sleep. When we are coming into port, my schedule varies, of course, but the paperwork starts 2 days before we arrive. There's always a lot of paperwork! 5). I work 75 days, then stay home for 75. I spend 6 months a year at home, and get paid very well for it. This allows me a lot of time with my family, and no distractions while I'm there. 6. It can be dirty and dangerous, and everything's always moving. You get used to it. 7). If I wanted to own a business at home, I could. The pay is fine, though, and enough to live on without extra work. 8). Being introspective, social, with good management skills, a hard worker, self-directed... all are essential. 9). Unrealistic expectations, changing priorities, too much free time while at home (leading to drinking or other problems). 10). I have a schedule that doesn't allow for flexibility. I have to be willing to adapt my schedule to the needs of my ship. I miss every other Christmas, my kids' birthdays, and my Anniversary. On the other hand, I get to travel to some neat places, I get months to spend with my family without distractions, and there's a nice pension waiting at the end of it. 11. Sure. I qualify when I'm 49. I'm assuming that I'll stay until 60 if I can, but after 49, I can try to become a teacher or go back to being a scientist if I choose. 12. 12 years. There are two paths- an academy will prepare you to become an officer after 4 years of school, or you can work from the bottom up, and truly be a master mariner, which takes about 5 years longer. 13) Hard work, lots of schooling, volunteering for everything, and being dedicated to being a good captain. 14). Becoming captain was always #1. I made it 2 years ago. After this, trying to stay out of an office job is my priority. I like my job and my ship. 15. Being a good dad and husband, ensuring that I'll be satisfied with my life at the end of it, and providing for the people who depend on me. 16. Money, seeing new kids improve their skills under my guidance, intense satisfaction- freedom from the usual ties that bind. 17. My dad was a chief engineer in the heyday of the merchant marine. His sea stories drove me to sea. 18. Maintain your licenses and certificates, never say no to additional training, fight for your career, and let your personal life and your work life complement each other. A good captain is married with family- the stability provided makes you a better decision-maker, without a doubt, and being captain can make being a father easier. 19. Need? A high school diploma and a good work ethic can be enough. A degree really does make things easier. Usually a maritime degree, but my background as a biologist hasn't hurt me at all. 20. I toy with becoming a teacher or going back to being a scientist after I retire, but neither is necessary for anything but my personal satisfaction.