looking at engine cadetship, completed half an engineering uni degree

[Stickeelion]

hey guys I have a few burning questions about what I should do with my career and education options.

not sure which category to put this in, mods feel free to move it if you need.

I am an Australian and I'm 2 years into a 4 year Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, I have always wanted the offshore weekly/monthly roster work and I have always been interested in the offshore/oil industry however I'm not enjoying the study (have failed a few courses) and even oil industry engineering jobs are shore/office based which I'm not keen on. I recently learned about marine engineering and it greatly interests me. I have decided I will either change to an engine cadet course right now or the moment I finish my degree.

Would finishing my degree be beneficial at all in becoming a ships engineer or should I change now?
My parents are not liking the fact i'm thinking about quitting my university and they tell me I'll never have an opportunity as good as this again, and I too have that little voice in my head telling me it may be a bad idea to quit/change. in terms of career opportunities and international work/living am I limiting myself at all if I don't finish my degree before doing an engine cadet course?

I may let it be known I really dislike Australia, it's too hot among other things and one of my MAJOR concerns is I want to live overseas, particularily the EU or Norway. However I my concerns is that it may be harder to do so without an engineering degree and I have been told that companies in the EU hate hiring people from outside the EU, and also companies not taking cadets from Australia to work overseas due to tax or some fancy wiz-biz

After some research I have decided I really would love to work on Deepsea Tankers or to work in the north sea area on Drillships, AHTS vessels or Semisub oil platforms


1) do international coastal companies like farstad etc. let you move to another office ie Norway once you are qualified?
2) do international deepsea companies/ships like MAERSK and others who are predominantly EU based take cadets from Australia?
3) similarily do deepsea companies assist/sponsor visas to immigrate as a skilled worker if you want to live in another country?
4) if I get a COC in Australia is it necessary to get a CEC for the country you want to work in? and how hard is it to get one and find employment overseas?
5) How is the job market? I have been told that you can walk into a job by some and told that it's cut-throat by others leaving me confused
6) roughly what are the average salaries for a junior engineer and also 1st/2nd engineer? (again I'm confused as I've been told it's anywhere between 30,000-200,000 USD)
7) Am I correct in thinking that a ship's engineer is half way between a tradesman and a "real" university qualified engineer?
8) personally what do you find are the worst part of being at sea?

I might state I can get a UK permanent residence/working visa through my grandparents which may make moving easier but I'll still be an Australian national. In this case would it be worth applying to Warsash/an EU cadetship?

Sorry for the long post, don't feel obliged to answer them all

Cheers

~Stickeelion

[Hatchorder]

Go on - I'll have a stab!

Would finishing my degree be beneficial at all in becoming a ships engineer or should I change now?

There are some companies that do an accelerated course if you have a relevant degree - but you will need to speak to the colleges about your actual degree. If it is one of those that accelerates your cadetship then finish it - if you can pass it. You do not say how far into it you are?

I have been told that companies in the EU hate hiring people from outside the EU, and also companies not taking cadets from Australia to work overseas due to tax or some fancy wiz-biz

Companies will hire from anywhere. It is more a case of where you live as to your taxation that is the bigger issue. However there are very strict rules that apply to cadetships in the UK because of Government SMART funding. You either have to be a UK citizen or have met residency rules and lived here with proper residency permits for more than a year to qualify for a UK cadetship.

1) do international coastal companies like farstad etc. let you move to another office ie Norway once you are qualified?

Least of your worries for now. Moving Companies is not an issue once qualified.

2) do international deepsea companies/ships like MAERSK and others who are predominantly EU based take cadets from Australia?

See above. You must meet residency rules and then there is no discrimination. However they may not pay travel expenses all the way home. Bear that in mind.

5) How is the job market? I have been told that you can walk into a job by some and told that it's cut-throat by others leaving me confused

Whilst there is competition, and it depends on who your sponsor is as many companies only recruit for the Tonnage Tax Relief, there are jobs out there and if you are a qualified officer with the right CV, attitude and skills you will always be able to find a job - despite some of the moaning you see on here.

7) Am I correct in thinking that a ship's engineer is half way between a tradesman and a "real" university qualified engineer?

No, you are not correct. You can go on and complete your full degree as an engineer and once you do your Seconds and Chiefs CoC you are more qualified than an engineer with a degree.

8) personally what do you find are the worst part of being at sea?

I personally loved it, I had trouble forming long term relationships and would have struggled if I had been at sea with a young family, but in general I loved the life.

I might state I can get a UK permanent residence/working visa through my grandparents which may make moving easier but I'll still be an Australian national. In this case would it be worth applying to Warsash/an EU cadetship?

I do not think that you meet residency rules for SMART funding - so check and find out. I do not know the full answer to this.

I hope this helps.

Ian

[Stickeelion]

I personally loved it, I had trouble forming long term relationships and would have struggled if I had been at sea with a young family, but in general I loved the life.

This just makes me want to do it even more

and WOW! thanks for the awesome info Hatchorder

Ok so I see UK cadetships are completely out of the question for now, I also emailed a few recruiters about that

Also I have completed 2 years of my 4 year degree, however I probably have 2.5 years to go due to failing some courses

also how do I find out if my degree will accelerate a ships engineer course? and how do the accelerated courses work with sea time and college time? and can you also get cadet ship for those or do they need to be self funded?

Lastly would you possibly know where I can contact Maersk by email? I've been all over their website but they only offer a Danish phone number on their website, I tried their contact form which only generated an automated response redirecting me to the contact page I was just on