# Requesting advice for aspiring mariner

**URL:** <https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/requesting-advice-for-aspiring-mariner/14975>\
**Category:** Maritime Employment\
**Created:** [June 30, 2015, 8:25pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/requesting-advice-for-aspiring-mariner/14975 "2015-06-30T20:25:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rkh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c0e974/32.png) [@rkh](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/rkh)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2015, 8:25pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/requesting-advice-for-aspiring-mariner/14975/1 "2015-06-30T20:25:52Z")

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gCaptain:

I’m looking to switch careers and join the US Merchant Marine. Ironically, for the last several years I have been shore staff at MSC’s CONUS HQ. I think the time has come to trade in a cubicle for a ship–either as an MSC CIVMAR or with a private company in some other capacity.

I have a background in electrical engineering, several years of solid engineering work experience, a TWIC and a bare-bones MMC. How should I approach this? How does the career progression work? Any advice? I know I can get picked up quickly somewhere as an OS, but is there a better route?

thanks,  
rkh

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**Author:** ![ko0k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58f4c7/32.png) [@ko0k](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ko0k)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2015, 7:17am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/requesting-advice-for-aspiring-mariner/14975/2 "2015-07-01T07:17:17Z")

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I would suggest private messaging a member here named Cajaya. She is very experienced in the industry and can help you through all aspects of getting started. Good luck.

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**Author:** ![Slick\_Cam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f475e1/32.png) [@Slick\_Cam](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Slick_Cam)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2015, 7:27am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/requesting-advice-for-aspiring-mariner/14975/3 "2015-07-01T07:27:56Z")

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^^^^^ agreed LOL.

You work on the inside, man. Pull your strings and get on an MSC ship for a couple hitches. You’ll know what you do or don’t want to do by then, and have some solid experience and some jingle in your pocket to boot.

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**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\
**Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 6:08pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/requesting-advice-for-aspiring-mariner/14975/4 "2015-07-15T18:08:31Z")

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If your electrical engineering degree is from an ABET accredited program after 180/days as a wiper you can test for third assistant.

Just go join a ship as a wiper and learn everything you can.