Do I stand a chance

[cadetjlc]

Hi, I'm a 22 year old aspiring deck cadet that has returned to school to get some a levels under my belt. I am on course to get a B in a level geography, C in science and B in English. I also hold 5 gcse C grades in various subjects such as history and business, and B's in maths and english.

It has been my dream since my very first cruise holiday when I was 12 years old to be a deck officer. I have RYA Helmsman's certificate. I returned to school purely for the purpose of trying to get sponsorship from a shipping company, as a life at sea is my dream and passion. Will going back to school show my commitment and dedication, or will the companies think i should have staid intitially and got a levels when everyone else did?! I would appreciate it if people could let me know whether I stand a chance with the grades I have to offer -as I'm now nervous that I could have gone back to school for nothing.

kind regards, Jay.

[laura]

I think they're more likely to look at the grades than the way ypu went about it, it would certainly be an advantage to explain to a prospective employer the reason you are putting the effort in and would put you in favour if sold like that I reckon.

Good luck anyway!

[Chiefy]

You stand every chance, and helpfully you have done some things then decided that no you really do want this career, as such you have something to talk about at interview, which should give your passion a chance to shine through.

I (personally) wouldnt just fixate on the cruise ships, but thats why everyone is different and stops life being too tedious ;-)

Good Luck

[cadetjlc]

Thank you for your reply. However in your opinion, are the grades suffient?

[cadetjlc]

Thank you, that is a bit of confidence boost

[HolyNougat]

Your grades will be fine.
But as you would be going in as more mature entrant companies will look at what you have been doing since you left school the first time.
Start thinking about how you can turn your experiences of the last few years to your advantage.
I would also not fixate on the cruise side of things, its a niche market with only one employer for juniors and these days it is so specialist I personally do not think you get a very good grounding in the basics or even reality...

[cadetjlc]

I worked for four years at a furniture company, where I started as a labourer and was then promoted to a machine operator - so I suppose I could say that I had responsibilities. I shall be applying for carnival uk and princess, however I shall also be applying for others, as I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket

[Chiefy]

ermmmm....you know carnival uk IS princess......all belong to the mega corp Carnival cruises. I aren sure they recruit cadets on a company by company basis......but I could ( and often am) be wrong

[EH75]

Although Carnival own pretty much all the cruise lines they recruit under the different brands so although its the same parent company theres a few different branches you can apply to.

[cadetjlc]

Carnival uk seems to cover just cunard and p&o, and princess offer there own interviews according to the Opportunities At Sea website, and Warsash maritime academy :s . I have heard from others on this forum that they think cadets gain better, and more valuable experiences with other types of merchant shipping companies?!

[Bulman]

Thats correct, they do both their recruiting separately, they could send you to any of the colleges It seems a lot of companies are on the ball these days and training doesn't really change, out of 22 people in our class (ETO's) think only 2 got a bad experience on ship, but these people were in the same companies as other cadets who had a great experience, to many factors to say a certain company is bad etc.

I dont think you should have any problems, what your doing shows how much you want it, and companies should see that!

[cadetjlc]

Thank you for that assurance, you have boosted my confidence also - I shall continue working had, and hopefully it will pay off. Does anyone know what the best time to send applications off for September intake?

[Chiefy]

now

[ex-urnu]

Also it seems quite a few of the cruise companies have older cadets in my phase here at Warsash, there is a couple of young ones but the between Carnival, Princess and Royal Caribbean Cruises ages seem to be between 21 and 27 on the Deck side anyway. So it is possible as im 22 and here!