Does holding a 3rd Officers Unlimited hold much value in the shore side world?

[ConfusedCadet89]

I am a cadet at one of the maritime academies due to graduate in December 2012 with a B.S. in International Maritime Business…..However…..about 2 months ago I started playing around with the idea of staying in school and pursuing an additional degree in marine transportation ( AKA the Deck Program). It would take roughly 3 years to complete and then I would be able to sit for my 3rds unlimited.

The plan is to obtain the 3rds in 3 years and sail for 5 or so years to 1) have some great experiences 2) give me some credibility in the shore side maritime business world and 3) to make (and save) some good money, and then transition into shore side employment with the business degree

Tug and barge operations and the off shore supply vessels are what interest me the most. Due to the fact that they are short runs (30 days on 30 days off etc) and also because there really aren’t many deep water jobs for Americans anyway.

I have since decided to go through with it and am currently enrolled to start my first class in the program next week (coastal navigation I)

Before making the decision I had spoken extensively with many people in the industry. Some X captains who have 30 years sailing experience, some who obtained 3^rd mate USCG licenses and never used them and have very successful careers in chartering and one as a ships agent.

Out of the 10 or so people I have spoken to, about half say it is a smart thing to do (gives you some experience, ability to make some money, etc…. Others say that it won’t really have to big influence in the business world and not to go through with it unless you are sure that you want to sail.

I guess what I am trying to say is……..to those of you in the industry that have sailed and since transitioned shore side, is it worth it to go the route of 3 more years for another undergraduate degree, sail a maximum of 5 years, and transition shore side with the business degree at the age of 31 with no real shore side employment besides a few internship????????

Any input what so ever, positive or negative is strongly encouraged

Thanks for taking the time to read

(P.S. To anyone in the marine insurance industry, I would love to hear your input specifically, marine insurance is a strong interest of mine for a possible career)

[c.captain]

A third mate's license plus Maritime Academy degree equals entry level management at many places...insurance, terminal ops, brokerage, etc...

A third mate's license without degree equals management trainee at a Walmart or if really lucky...a Target!

A UL master with or without a degree equals a cardboard box, a harmonica, a trenchcoat from the Salvation Army and a dirty felt hat

[Capt. Phoenix]

There are many management jobs only available to people with licenses. I would recommend going to suny for their graduate degree license program. You still get the 3m but you also get a masters dredged in business. That is significantly better on a resume...

[tugsailor]

Absolutely

[Jetryder223]

I have a family member who graduated SUNY with a MT degree. Sailed for the Navy for 6 years then segwayed into industry. Started as a production clerk and worked up to Manager of Production Control. Then semi-retired and continues working as a management consultant for the Navy. There is hope after the wheel house.

[Mikegb88]

There are many management jobs only available to people with licenses. I would recommend going to suny for their graduate degree license program. You still get the 3m but you also get a masters dredged in business. That is significantly better on a resume...

Same with TMA. If you have a bachelors, you can get a masters degree from Texas A&M in Maritime Administration and Logistics along with your third mates license.

[c.captain]

I am a cadet at one of the maritime academies due to graduate in December 2012 with a B.S. in International Maritime Business

I am shmelling a stinky here. How are you a "cadet" and not in a license track? You one of them ReggiMental types? If so, aren't you supposed to go active dootie? Having second thoughts?

[Capt. Phoenix]

I am shmelling a stinky here. How are you a "cadet" and not in a license track? You one of them ReggiMental types? If so, aren't you supposed to go active dootie? Having second thoughts?

You can choose to be in the regiment even if you are a non license major...

[c.captain]

You can choose to be in the regiment even if you are a non license major...

So these students choose to be in a little kiddie toy soldier regiment without becoming a merchant vessel OR military officer? Just to march with flags and salute and say "no excuse sir" and wear spiffy dress uniforms to the keedet's katillion?

...roll eyes in disbelief

[ConfusedCadet89]

I am shmelling a stinky here. How are you a "cadet" and not in a license track? You one of them ReggiMental types? If so, aren't you supposed to go active dootie? Having second thoughts?

I am at mass maritime, all students are required to live in the regiment licensed majors and non licensed. We have all the same obligations of standing room inspections, watches, getting drug test etc.

Jetryder223 thanks for informing me about the SUNY Maritimes grad program, I have researched it and am definitely considering it. I am going down to check out the school and find out more about the program in a few weeks. It seems most of the other maritime academies all have grad programs for business, I hear rumors that MMA is going to start one but I have heard nothing officially. Thanks for everyone’s inputs.

[cappy208]

I got the impression he is thinking about going back for a masters, or another degree to make himself feel better about job possibilities.

Give him credit. Even before graduation he is realizing that the license is pretty much useless(In a competitive job market)! He realizes he needs more. Pretty astute if you ask me.

[MattyB]

I just started working at a new job where I competed with Master Mariners for the position. I only hold a Chief Mate's license, but hold a Masters in Transportation Management and went back to school for another degree in Marine Technology. Those degrees put me above the others that I competed with. You can never go wrong earning another degree or advancing your license. But if you want to step ashore degrees count for alot.

[c.captain]

I got the impression he is thinking about going back for a masters, or another degree to make himself feel better about job possibilities.

I read it that he wonders if having a license will make any difference regardless of the degrees he holds. I say not really but it might would if he sailed on it and got some seagoing expereince. I notice in many of the Crowley ops jobs advertised that they want 7 years at sea plus a maritime academy degree.

[cappy208]

Never mind the 3rds;

Does a drivers license qualify you as a goo driver? NO.

But, an impeccable driving record does.

Anyone who gives credibility just because one may have a license (whatever type) with no consideration of work experience/performance is suspect in my mind. Make sure when the time comes you aren't looking in the wrong tank for a job. You may be looking in the shark tank as opposed to the goldfish tank.

[searayman824]

I just stumbled across this thread and had to put my 2 cents in (yes I know it won't hold up to Ccaptains 5 cents since he wasn't from an academy).....myself though, from a maritime academy and seeing what my friends have done w a business degree then, like myself and other deck side guys, having a 3rd unlimited.....I feel it's one way or the other. Choose one and be the best you can be with that degree and/or license. Just from what I've seen since I've been outta the academy. That's the advice I'd have to give. Good luck with everything though!

[Jeffrox]

I just stumbled across this thread and had to put my 2 cents in (yes I know it won't hold up to Ccaptains 5 cents since he wasn't from an academy).....myself though, from a maritime academy and seeing what my friends have done w a business degree then, like myself and other deck side guys, having a 3rd unlimited.....I feel it's one way or the other. Choose one and be the best you can be with that degree and/or license. Just from what I've seen since I've been outta the academy. That's the advice I'd have to give. Good luck with everything though!

Wow, that's really deep, "it's one way or the other", and "be the best you can be". Thanks for the advice!

[jsmithjr]

Completed SUNY Maritime's MS in int'l transportation management in 2010. Good degree and met/networked with the types of people you are interested in working with. The license will help, but it's not everything. Many folks in the major enjoyed boating, but were not professional mariners. Most were business professionals. In fact, SUNY's master's program department head and past department head never sailed professionally, but spent 20 years + in the commercial industry.

[bowsntows]

Completed SUNY Maritime's MS in int'l transportation management in 2010. Good degree and met/networked with the types of people you are interested in working with. The license will help, but it's not everything. Many folks in the major enjoyed boating, but were not professional mariners. Most were business professionals. In fact, SUNY's master's program department head and past department head never sailed professionally, but spent 20 years + in the commercial industry.

What kind of job are you currently working in with this degree? Would you say it is respected or equal in comparison to a traditional MBA? I'm interested in getting the graduate license option.

[jsmithjr]

bowsntows:
I'm on an icebreaker, so I guess that's waterway's management. It's an important part of the maritime transportation system to avoid bottlenecks in the supply logistics chain or reverse logistics chain. While I'm not on the business side, I do understand my role in the entire system and the implications of delays.

Is it equal or respected to a traditional MBA? That's tough; the requirements to apply mirror the requirements for most MBAs. The school also prides theirself on saying that this degree is with the "business of shipping." If you desire to stay in the industry, I imagine it is equivalent since it's specialized. The graduate license option is fantastic if you want to work with operations then move to business. I'm a hawsepiper so I have a license already and wasn't interested in the program. Another nice incentive is that the degree is available completely online and adds some flexibility. The license option is not available online.

I recommend reaching out to Professor James Drogan on the SUNY graduate program website. He's the new chair but is down to earth and very informative. I completed the program in 2 years of part-time study. With the license option, you are probably looking at 2 years of full-time study.

Hope this helps!
Jerry