From India, with...possibly unrealistic expectations.

[gangs20003]

Hi all,
The name's Siddhant. Firstly, I must say, this board is a bit of a godsend for me right now. I'm glad it exists and that I've found it.
To have a bunch of active people who're in the same boat as I and those who've moved on from it, in the same place, is downright heavenly.
The reason I was looking for something like this, was that I have a written examination a week hence, passing which I'll be called for an interview. But that's a post for another section.

A bit about me,
I'm an Indian.
Dad was an Indian Naval Officer (guns, not containers)
I pretty much grew up around water, honestly haven't ever wanted to do anything BUT sail.
I passed out of a 3 year BNS degree course (land locked- no sea time) fairly recently, and for the state of the industry and my unfortunate choice of course, have found it tough (to say the least) to find a job. I'm looking to change that.
I'm hoping all of you can help me understand the industry, the job, the academics etc, better. I've got questions aplenty.
Here's looking forward to joining the community.
Cheers.

[GuinnessMan]

Hello and welcome!

Hopefully you'll stick around and contribute as normally we just get questions and then that's it from others in a similar position to yourself!

What sort of questions do you have? I've dealt with the Indian system briefly in the past so I might be able to help...

[gangs20003]

Hello and welcome!

Hopefully you'll stick around and contribute as normally we just get questions and then that's it from others in a similar position to yourself!

What sort of questions do you have? I've dealt with the Indian system briefly in the past so I might be able to help...

Yeah I figured, but I intend to stick around. I've spent a fair while trying to find a community like this. I don't think I'll be leaving anytime soon.

EDIT: As for my questions, I've made a separate topic in the correct section (I think), I'd be glad if you could answer.
My question

[GuinnessMan]

Yeah I figured, but I intend to stick around. I've spent a fair while trying to find a community like this. I don't think I'll be leaving anytime soon.

Excellent...

[Clanky]

Welcome to the forum, hope we can help a little.

We don't have many people on here with experience of the indian system, but when you find yourself a job then stick around and you can be our resident expert on Indian cadetships. Good luck.

[gangs20003]

Welcome to the forum, hope we can help a little.

We don't have many people on here with experience of the indian system, but when you find yourself a job then stick around and you can be our resident expert on Indian cadetships. Good luck.

Hey, Thanks.
I doubt any of my questions will be location specific. However I would be interested to know what India specific information you expect people to look for. Even with my lack of experience and rather fledgling knowledgebase, I'm sure I can be of more than just token assistance.

[Clanky]

We get a few enquiries about which companies to apply for etc. most of us here are based in the UK or Europe so we don't have that kind of knowledge, also things like sea time requirements can vary from country to country so once you have been through the process you would be in a good podition to help others.

[gangs20003]

We get a few enquiries about which companies to apply for etc. most of us here are based in the UK or Europe so we don't have that kind of knowledge, also things like sea time requirements can vary from country to country so once you have been through the process you would be in a good podition to help others.

Actually I think I could help with this even now. Over here, it's not so much a matter of which companies TO apply for than it is which companies will LET you apply or which companies will even CONSIDER taking a look at your CV.
Sea time requirements are easy enough to find out. I have a couple of friends who are sailing, I'm sure they'll accomodate.

[GuinnessMan]

Actually I think I could help with this even now. Over here, it's not so much a matter of which companies TO apply for than it is which companies will LET you apply or which companies will even CONSIDER taking a look at your CV.
Sea time requirements are easy enough to find out. I have a couple of friends who are sailing, I'm sure they'll accomodate.

I think the Indian system is similar to ours, it's about 12 months or so although I know your engineers also have to have a specific number of "propelling hours" and I don't know if that applies to you. When it comes to companies, hit the manning agents as they do a lot of recruitment for cadets to sail on board (they won't pay for courses and what not though) but there is a lot of competition so make sure you really stand out and try to pass their internal assessments with the highest marks you can.