I’ll try and make this short and sweet. I am looking to get a job before Dec. 4th as I am quitting before then.
Everywhere I’ve read on here, Reddit, and TikTok basically says if you have a pulse you’ll be hired as a deckhand/OS.
I have applied for my TWIC and am working on getting my MMC. I have applied to a few places but heard nothing back so far, any idea on how long it takes for HR to contact you if they’re interested in you?
I might be overthinking, but I have no experience in this career field. I’m 24 and was in the Navy for 4 years, got out as an E5 and currently work as a contractor for the federal government. My resume indicates all this but I also work(ed) a desk job at a 3 letter agency and my resume is very vague/technical in what I’ve done because it’s been “declassified.”
I also live in Augusta, Georgia and am not seeing many jobs in the two most obvious places I should be looking at jobs, Savannah and Charleston. I’m willing to work almost anywhere ideally the northeast and any combination of time 28/14, 14/14, etc.
Is my location, resume/job experience, and no MMC holding me back from getting responses? If so does anyone have advice on what I can be do differently to get a job before Dec. 4th.
Unless you’re applying at companies with uninspected vessels, your lack of an MMC is absolutely what’s holding you back. They can’t put you on a vessel in any capacity until you have that in hand.
I recently steered a friend in the right direction. He has tons of experience on less than 100 grt boats. Although he had a few prospects, the general response he got was ‘call us back when you get your MMC.’
As soon as he got his MMC in hand he got hired by one of the places he was talking to prior. Next step for him is getting his AB and he’s working on that.
I think these days there is much more need for ABs, entry level not so much. Several months ago was easier for entry level folks to get a foot in the door but now its a bit more challenging. My friend considers himself lucky and i told him that too. Not having basic training is a setback in a lot of cases.
If you’re close to an airport, New York is the place to be. The money is good and just about everyone is equal time. If you’re going to be away from home you may as well make as much as you can.
Valid point, I always forget about “T Boats.” Since most of them are running for company’s where your best bet is to be visiting their office if you want to get hired, they’re probably not a good option for the OP though.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but don’t you have to at least have a TWIC issued before you can sail on just the receipt (as in a renewal)? If the OP has “applied for a TWIC,” but not gotten their first issue, that could be why they’re not hearing back.
There are quite a few tugs under 100 tons. No MMC required. A lot of companies don’t care very much about the TWIC either. They just need labor.
For someone living in Georgia, the Bayou is a reasonable drive. Just go door to door at crew boat company offices. The smalller , lower paying companies would be a good place to start until you have your MMC.
Guice Offshore (GO) is an operator of under 100 ton boats and they have branched out to the northeast and West Coast. Call them. See what they say.
You might look into companies that have government contracts which require a security clearance .
Agree with Tugboater203. If you are gonna be gone from home make the most you can. Just starting out, best money is not there yet. Gain more credentials and experience as you go, the paycheck will increase faster than you think. Gotta start somewhere no matter what they pay for now. It surely won’t be your last job.Many of us on this site went through quite a few companies over some time before we found the alledged “sweet spot”,…
24 is the perfect age to use those GI Bill benefits, my advice go to a maritime academy. I am also a vet and prior Navy (also intel CTR for a 3 letter), same stats as you but when I left I was 35 and not 24. Still I do not regret going to a maritime academy at all I got a great education that I can fall back on should I tire of the seas.
I did not have to work while using my benefits in my case the stipend was more than enough for me to pay my rent etc. In a regular degree field you can easily finish in 3 years and save yourself some time and even leave with quite a bit of money in your pocket if you are frugal.