which route is best?
Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 10:38 am
My name is J Sopuck, and I am trying to make a career as a marine engineer. When I started working for BC Ferries at the age of 19 as a wiper, my grandpa told me to get the hell out of the marine industry while I had the chance. He had joined the merchant navy at 15, and was at sea for a large portion of his life.
I am now 22. I have been in and out of school including courses in mechanical and civil engineering. After my 14 months at BCF, I took off and traveled the world with my savings. After exploring around 15 countries I have discovered how great the world is. So I started thinking, career in an international environment would also be great. Why not do marine engineering?
After working with guys who have been deep sea for many years, I have heard many negative things about working in this industry. At the same time, I have heard many positive things especially when it comes to near future job opportunities due to the aging maritime workers.
What I don’t understand is why TC makes it so ridiculously hard to get your tickets?
I could try and get into BCIT Marine for their 4-year cadet program. Spend over $50,000 on education and living costs, work for peanuts in the co-op terms, and write the TC exams. All this only to leave the program with a 4th class ticket. And since anyone with sea time can write the exam in a few hours, I don’t see the point in spending $50,000, which I don’t have, when one could just pass the TC exams. There should be a happy medium to this situation.
Apparently doing everything on your own is harder. But say I take a MEOL type course, get a job on some ship, rack up sea time, and make money. I can earn the sea time, experience and money. Then write and pass my TC exams and acquire my engineering 4th class. If I can do this in 4 years or less, would it not be the smarter route? Or am I missing something huge here?
What do you guys suggest?
Cheers,
J Sopuck
I am now 22. I have been in and out of school including courses in mechanical and civil engineering. After my 14 months at BCF, I took off and traveled the world with my savings. After exploring around 15 countries I have discovered how great the world is. So I started thinking, career in an international environment would also be great. Why not do marine engineering?
After working with guys who have been deep sea for many years, I have heard many negative things about working in this industry. At the same time, I have heard many positive things especially when it comes to near future job opportunities due to the aging maritime workers.
What I don’t understand is why TC makes it so ridiculously hard to get your tickets?
I could try and get into BCIT Marine for their 4-year cadet program. Spend over $50,000 on education and living costs, work for peanuts in the co-op terms, and write the TC exams. All this only to leave the program with a 4th class ticket. And since anyone with sea time can write the exam in a few hours, I don’t see the point in spending $50,000, which I don’t have, when one could just pass the TC exams. There should be a happy medium to this situation.
Apparently doing everything on your own is harder. But say I take a MEOL type course, get a job on some ship, rack up sea time, and make money. I can earn the sea time, experience and money. Then write and pass my TC exams and acquire my engineering 4th class. If I can do this in 4 years or less, would it not be the smarter route? Or am I missing something huge here?
What do you guys suggest?
Cheers,
J Sopuck