A maturing Marine Engineering career
I have been sailing as a professional Canadian seafarer since 1996. Its taken me a long time to learn the basics of my craft, and I am not done learning, by any stretch of the imagination. However the business side, the career side of the "game", has become an important factor to consider when planning long term sustainability. As one matures in life, the career matures as well.
In this area I explore the many challenges of my own career, mostly for my own cathartic exercise, but perhaps some of the challenges I have encountered and explore here, may offer you insight on your own aspirations and challenges. The principle career challenge for me (in 2012-2013), is upgrading my Certificate of Competency, and the articles below deal with this topic...
- Reap what you sow - Not alone in this dilemma; in this article written in October 2012, I explore how many engineers have been able to progress through the ranks of Marine Engineering over 20 years, on the West Coast of Canada, and its impact.
- Pressure is building - Written in Aug 2013, this article explores the possible impacts to established Marine Engineers in Canada, by the implementation of the Certificate of Recognition by Transport Canada, as proposed by the Manila Convention (STCW10).
- Upgrading A view from
the bilge - In this article written in January 2013, I explore what some
of the challenges are to upgrading a certificate of competency under the
Marine Engineering Certification system in Canada. To support
A view from the bilge, I
tabulated the costs associated with a Marine Engineering career in Canada,
and they are summarized using the two current stream of entry.
- Costs of becoming an Engine Room Rating (2013)
- Costs to becoming TC 1st Class COC using the Cadet Stream (2013)
- Costs to becoming TC 1st Class COC using the Alternate Path (2013)
- A fork in the career road - With the difficulties of advancing my Marine Engineering career, I explore what the options are for us as a family. Written in Aug 2013.
- One option is the Blue Riband project, a theoretical business model for the year 2020 of a professional Marine Engineering organization and how it may address some of the current issues. You can visit the project website here. Created in January 2012.
- Australian Adventure - In this Aug 2013 article, I tell the story of our "drastic" attempts to immigrate to Australia, for professional reasons.
As always I welcome your views and comments; let me know what you think.