Hi, My name is Eli, but I go by Suarez. Very nice to meet you. I was wondering about something, I’ve been in MSC for a year now and I have noticed that whenever I ask about the possibility of OJT, it’s suddenly an issue and there’s no explanation for this, can anyone tell me when the actual problem could be? Because I do my job, and I’m always where I’m supposed to be and yet there’s always an issue arising every time. I’m starting to see why MSC is having a manning problem to begin with. I’m currently awaiting my relief so I can send myself back to school for extra training, should I just go ahead and look into other maritime agencies? What are your thoughts? Thank you.
Don’t leave MSC. If you’re trying to get OJT in a different job skill set or a different department, you may have to take the initiative to do so on your own time. Look for upgrade and position announcements at the pursers office. Communicate with the MSC training department. Find an onboard mentor!
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You don’t say your current position, but I did a single 7 month trip with msc as a third engineer and I saw a pretty constant rotation of the entry level positions between supply, deck, and engine. Lots of SUs switched to wipers or OSes. No idea what the logistics of that was, but it seemed like an SU would ask the first if there was room for a new wiper, the first would have them come down for engine room OT a couple of times and if it worked out, they changed departments.
Best bet is to get into a department where there is stuff to learn, then try to cozy up to somebody who can teach you something and help them with their work. If you are entry level, you will mostly fetch tools and hold things, but demonstrate some gumption and reliability and you’ll get better jobs eventually.