Hello cadets, any advice for completel newcomer?

[nickfaddes]

hello ! i have been thinking of career offshore within the merchant navy for some time. i was recommended your wonderful website by a friend. I live just south of glasgow and have been looking to pursue a career towards being a deck officer. he has advised on several companies and of course with the power of the internet these days i have came across various site and companies that can offer sponsorship. as i said i am new to this but was thinking Clyde marine training and doing the HNC course, but unsure of which college to choose, choosing to stay with glasgow would mean i could keep renting my house, and travel to college each day although unsure if i could afford my house, but choosing to study in for example southampton, where my friend studies, would be a new start and accomodation paid for ! any advice, information would be awesome ! thanks

[size4riggerboots]

Hi Nick and welcome

There's tonnes of info here, have a look at our articles section for some of the basics, such as this one http://www.officercadet.com/content....etting-Started We also have a wonderful search function up in the top RH corner, which will help you find that someone's already answered a lot of the questions you have at this stage. Please do feel free to add to any of the old threads, adding info to the same place each time makes a thread a better resource for the next lot! Of course if you can't find the thing you're looking for, please do start a new thread

I'm afraid you don't get to choose where you study, once you've been accepted by a company they may take your preferences into account, but don't bank on it!

Best of luck and happy browsing! S4

[nickfaddes]

thank you for the info! im having a look through several pots just now do companies take preference to school leavers over others? im 24 now and have been trying to get into the oil and gas industry for more than 2 years without success and have been advised by several people to pursue a career in the merchant navy.

[size4riggerboots]

I was 26 when I started, age is not an issue

[nickfaddes]

i see thats good news! where did you study etc?

[GuinnessMan]

Advice? Ok.

RUN! You still have a chance, you've not been sucked in yet, just run for it!

Or you could just ignore me. Hello and welcome!

[nickfaddes]

Ha! the resident grumpy old man ? im sure you dont mean that !

[Hatchorder]

Advice? Ok.

RUN! You still have a chance, you've not been sucked in yet, just run for it!

Or you could just ignore me. Hello and welcome!

Ignore grumpy - He's with me and I am just as grumpy!

Welcome to the mad house, pull up a chair, we will soon have you rocking like a caged animal.

As S4R says use the search function and get reading. Just one comment though. You said "would be a new start and accomodation paid for". You will have to pay for your own accommodation at any college. It is only for the weeks you are there, so nothing to pay whilst you are at sea or during school holidays.

Ian

[GuinnessMan]

Ha! the resident grumpy old man ? im sure you dont mean that !

Oh give it time...

[YaBute]

I wouldn't worry about your age. I'm nearing the end of my first phase and I'm 25. I wasn't even the oldest in my class of 19. I can't really give you an idea of whats in store as I haven't been to sea yet, but so far at Glasgow college I've enjoyed myself and feel I've learned a decent amount. It doesn't hurt to stick in an application to test the water. Whilst you wait for a reply you can look into the industry further and see if it's really for you.

[size4riggerboots]

i see thats good news! where did you study etc?

I was at Fleetwood, sponsored by Trinity House. I keep a blog (linky in signature) where you can read all about my cadetship

[nickfaddes]

I wouldn't worry about your age. I'm nearing the end of my first phase and I'm 25. I wasn't even the oldest in my class of 19. I can't really give you an idea of whats in store as I haven't been to sea yet, but so far at Glasgow college I've enjoyed myself and feel I've learned a decent amount. It doesn't hurt to stick in an application to test the water. Whilst you wait for a reply you can look into the industry further and see if it's really for you.

you looking forward to going to sea?! thanks for the info on glasgow college! have you been going since september?

[nickfaddes]

I was at Fleetwood, sponsored by Trinity House. I keep a blog (linky in signature) where you can read all about my cadetship

thanks! ill have a read

[nickfaddes]

Ignore grumpy - He's with me and I am just as grumpy!

Welcome to the mad house, pull up a chair, we will soon have you rocking like a caged animal.

As S4R says use the search function and get reading. Just one comment though. You said "would be a new start and accomodation paid for". You will have to pay for your own accommodation at any college. It is only for the weeks you are there, so nothing to pay whilst you are at sea or during school holidays.

Ian

i see.. i was only saying as my friend is studying towards a deck officer at warash college in southampton and he says his accomodation was paid for by his sponsor company SSTG ?! he is from glasgow same as me..

[HarmlessWeasel]

i see.. i was only saying as my friend is studying towards a deck officer at warash college in southampton and he says his accomodation was paid for by his sponsor company SSTG ?! he is from glasgow same as me..

SSTG no longer pay for accomodation directly. All sponsor companies (as far as I know) will provide you with a salary/allowance. Due to funding cuts you now have to pay for your accomodation out of your salary. Not sure if SSG are the lowest but they're not the highest. Salary as a cadet doesn't really matter anyway because even the highest paying aren't comparable to a qualified officer's salary.