Just starting out

[Raion05]

Alright, I'm new to the forum.

Let me tell you a little about myself.

I'm a 22 yr old female from Toledo, Ohio. I have a 2 yr electrical engineering degree and I am a veteran for the Army (I was a biomed .. we fix hospital equipment.) I have already obtained my MMC and TWIC. Have a passport, passed physical drug tests, background checks .. the works.

So here is where I am having problems with. Where the heck do I start !?

My ex works in the gulf for Helix as an ETO. We've been trying to get me on there but sadly the company hired all new personal in the office so getting hired straight in is a pain. I would like to work in the gulf, however I do not have a STWC95 (although I have been told a lot of companies will help you with it.)

Now I am in Toledo, right on Lake Erie. I am not opposed to working on the Great Lakes at all. I also have family in Louisville so I am not opposed to working in the Ohio River (if that's an option).

I have applied directly to a few companies and I have posted on rigzone .. but my resume was denied ??

So any advice to someone just starting out ?

Thanks for anything guys

[Capt Brian]

Since you have an electrical background, have you thought about checking with the ROV companies? Mako or Oceaneering or C-Innovation.
All working in the GOM and other places in the world. Good luck!

[Raion05]

thanks for the help ! In all honesty, Im just looking for something to get me started. I can always figure out what I want to do from there. I just want some sea legs experience right now.

[Capt Brian]

Check with the ROV companies, they will start you out as a technician helping to launch/recover the ROV working with the pilot. Not a bad way to get the foot in the door and work up to becoming a ROV pilot.

[Raion05]

awesome. I think my biggest problem right now is that I dont have my stwc95 and i hear its expensive as hell to get ...

[Jeffrox]

awesome. I think my biggest problem right now is that I dont have my stwc95 and i hear its expensive as hell to get ...

It's only around $950 most places. Not much in this industry.

[Raion05]

can you provide me with some links as to where I can find a place to get it? I live in Toledo, Oh so if there is something local, that would be a big help ! Thank you so much

[rzwllm]

I don't think this really matches up with what you're looking for, but it doesn't hurt to know your options.

The Seafarers Internation Union (SIU) offers a tuition-free entry level apprenticeship at it's school in Piney Point, MD. They pay for your STCW95 required BST and set you up with your first job.

For more info, check out the website at

http://www.seafarers.org/phc/entry.xml

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Will

[Raion05]

thats amazing. they even have something for veterans. thank you so much for that. I will check them out tomorrow

edit:

on second thought, Ill be gone for 7 months ? I'm sure saving up over seven months might be a better option if I have to go that route ... Pretty neat though

[water]

Here are a couple of good schools, reasonably priced. And ask them about any grants available for tuition.

Young Memorial, Morgan City, LA:
http://www.coastguardtraining.com/marine.htm

L E Fletcher, Houma, LA:
http://www.coastguardtraining.com/marine.htm

Also ask about housing options while taking classes.

Also be sure to call about classes. Schools don't always keeps their web site up to date.

[bluejay]

I attended Young Memorial several years ago just post-Katrina.
There were NO rooms available in the area, but I found that the city park in Morgan City, LA includes a large camping area for tents and RV's. Includes shower facilities, laundry, and power connections. I set up camp for 3 weeks and had a great time.

Yes, it's roughing it, but I saved a bundle.
LA tech is state sponsored and has by far the lowest price for STCW, lifeboat, firefighting, etc.

[ksisk]

seaschool in Bayou la Batre, Alabama cost $635/$795 that includes Food, room and board only five days.

[Jeffrox]

can you provide me with some links as to where I can find a place to get it? I live in Toledo, Oh so if there is something local, that would be a big help ! Thank you so much

Here's the whole list of schools:

http://www.uscg.mil/NMC/training/bst.pdf

[water]

At the beginning of this month Young Memorial had a good (new) discount set up with a NICE lodging motel for $49 per night. Check with YM.

[islandhopper]

How much farther ahead are you by graduating from a maritime college instead of doing these maritime schools? How long would it take someone to work their way up instead of doing the 4 year college route?

[Capt Brian]

seaschool in Bayou la Batre, Alabama cost $635/$795 that includes Food, room and board only five days.

This is actually a decent deal if you crunch the numbers. Think of it as an all inclusive class. Plus, you have a watering hole with in walking distance to the school.

[Raion05]

At the beginning of this month Young Memorial had a good (new) discount set up with a NICE lodging motel for $49 per night. Check with YM.

check with who ?


Also wondering, where is a good resource to locate companies that operate on the Great Lakes. I do live in a port city and perhaps starting out on the Lakes where I dont necessarily need a stcw95 bst might help me get a foot in.

[Capt Brian]

check with who ?


Also wondering, where is a good resource to locate companies that operate on the Great Lakes. I do live in a port city and perhaps starting out on the Lakes where I dont necessarily need a stcw95 bst might help me get a foot in.

YM = Young Memorial. You might want to check into Great Lakes Dredging/Towing. They might be hiring.

[Raion05]

do you know their contact ? I have googled them and I don't think I have the right company ..

[Capt Brian]

Click the words Young Memorial and a link will take you to the correct site.