thinking about going in the maritime industry?

[TheBeatles93]

hi, i'm a rising senior in high school and was wondering if getting a thirds mate license is a good choice. i'm thinking about attending texas maritime academy and getting a 3/m license, but i heard that its hard to find a job in this industry. is this true? if so, how hard is it to find a job, and what is the starting salary? and lets say i choose to work in a foreign company like carnival cruise lines, will this be possible with a US license? thanks

[kfj]

I dont know anything about salary since its over my ticket but it is hard for the average person to get a job right now but it will take a couple years for you to get a 3/m and it could be a whole different ball game then

[DeckApe]

If you go to a maritime academy you should be fine. If you go into engineering you should have no trouble at all.

The people with the hardest time finding jobs these days are the deck department unlicensed (non-officers), those trying to break into the industry without a license, and those trying to get an officer job without having gone to a four year academy. Most of the chatter on this site about people not finding jobs fall into the above categories.

In good times any bozo can find a maritime job. These are not good times.

[Mr 100-ton]

the job market will change,,,more drillships are coming out and that will increase the demand for mariners,,,,,good luck,,,,you will be away from home more than a desk job but it can and is a rewarding career if you like working on the water

[KennyW1983]

Going to a Maritime Acadamy is the BEST idea if you want to go into the maritime world. You get an Unlimited 3/Ms ticket and you can find a high paying job with the govmt, drilling ships, the big maritime unions, ect, ect plus you still have a 4 year degree to back up on.

I wish I had went to a maritime acadamy.

[trekleader]

In good times any bozo can find a maritime job.

DeckApe, sometimes your answers are so dead-on that I laugh out loud...

[Capt. Lee]

hi, i'm a rising senior in high school and was wondering if getting a thirds mate license is a good choice. i'm thinking about attending texas maritime academy and getting a 3/m license, but i heard that its hard to find a job in this industry. is this true? if so, how hard is it to find a job, and what is the starting salary? and lets say i choose to work in a foreign company like carnival cruise lines, will this be possible with a US license? thanks

This is a great option. I wish I knew that this even existed when I was a senior in High School. My sister went to school at Auburn. Graduated and gets a starting salary in the mid 20's. WTF? A 3rd Mate coming right out of school can make easily 70K first year no problem. More than likely over 100K first Year out of school depending on the number of days worked. A DPO (3rd Mate) over seas is making 150K or more working half the year. Not bad for a 23-24 young man still living at home with his parents. Even an assistant DPO (training position) in the Gulf (no overseas premium) Makes about 85K a year and well over a 100K after attending all the training on his off time. I wish I made that kind of Jack when I was that young. The jobs will be there.

[Capt. Lee]

PS cruise ships don't pay well, but you get to meet a lot of women from what I hear!

[TheBeatles93]

thanks everyone!

[skycowboy]

Any Girl that says she met me on a cruise ship is lying.