Opportunities for college grads?

[Hawaii50]

I am a 23 year old college student wanting to become a mariner after I graduate in 2 years. I looked into the US Maritime Academy, but they only accept applicants younger than 25 years old (I will be 26 when i graduate with a nursing degree).

Are there maritime opportunities for college graduates over the age of 25? If so, where can I start looking?

Any help would be appreciated Thanks!

**As a side note, my interest in maritime was sparked by meeting a group of guys who graduated from the academy. They claimed it was a great opportunity to travel, learn new skills, gain leadership experience, and get paid for commitments that lasted only one year or so. Does this sound right?

[weski]

Cruise ships need nurses - check the various cruise lines and staffing agencies.

[Fuji]

Hawaii50,

I encourage you to check out the state maritime academies - like Massachusetts Maritime Academy. We do not take age into consideration when reviewing applicants for admission.

I wish you well with your search!

Fuji

Roy "Fuji" Fulgueras
Director of Admissions
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Fuji@maritime.edu
1-800-544-3411
FAX 508-830-5077
http://www.maritime.edu
http://twitter.com/MMAAdmissions

[KEVD18]

if you're set on working as a mariner instead of a nurse, you have two choices.

1) get into an academy, go back to college, get another degree and in another few years, start as an unlimited third.

2) get an mmc and start at the ground working as an unrated deck/engine ape.

now, you could also work as a nurse aboard ship, either in a dedicated medical role or as a dual.

if you want to work just as a nurse, you'll need to get a certificcate of registry as an rn. the nmc website can tell you how to do that.

if you wanted to work in a dual capacity and get out there right away(relatively speaking) you'll still need to get an mmc and a cor then find a jos as an os/medic somewhere. the guy that works opposite me on my r/v is an os/rn. i'll warn you ahead of time, its much more deck than medical.

[danzante]

I am a 23 year old college student wanting to become a mariner after I graduate in 2 years. I looked into the US Maritime Academy, but they only accept applicants younger than 25 years old (I will be 26 when i graduate with a nursing degree).

Are there maritime opportunities for college graduates over the age of 25? If so, where can I start looking?

Any help would be appreciated Thanks!

**As a side note, my interest in maritime was sparked by meeting a group of guys who graduated from the academy. They claimed it was a great opportunity to travel, learn new skills, gain leadership experience, and get paid for commitments that lasted only one year or so. Does this sound right?

You should first do some due diligence on what segment of the industry you are interested in. Maritime Academies are a great way to get a 4 year degree and an unlimited 3rd's license; perfect for working on cargo ships, tankers, etc. But, since you already have a 4 year degree, you might want to look into various workboat 2 year programs with the end result being a 500/1600 ton license and possibly a Mate of towing.
Either way, welcome aboard and good luck!

[bob]

Dude........ get your RN
Take the sign-on bonus
Start out gettting $25/hr plus shift diff and OVER TIME at time and 1/2.
My 2nd ex makes $32/hr as an RN.

WIth all that money youre making buy and live on a sailboat and have some fun with all the other RNs an PTs who make $80K+/year working 40 hours/week. You can marry a woman who can take her career to any town and make you lots of money. Plus you can be home every day so you can watch your kids play T-Ball and soccer.

THe oilfield is HOT, noisy, rusty, and not very supportive of "college educated idiots", plus you can lose a finger pretty easy. OH, and try dating a hot girl working 28/14. It just aint gonna work out.
Bob