Hi Vision,
You might want to sit down and define what u really look into a career? Is it to be good at something and achieve a name for yourself based on that skill or just for the purpose on going to the industry that earns you the most $?
During my course of work, I have met with quite a fair number of professionals in the Maritime industry, it is a booming industry and it is always short of graduates and new blood, especially ppl with maritime specialisation.
Just give you a short run-thru (from my little experience gained from meetings those maritime professionals) of the career options available as a maritime professional:-
Maritime Pilots
For some optimism as for earning big bucks in the Maritime industry, I have seen
PSA pilots earning $3k per piloting task - which involves getting onboard the vessel and direct them in Singapore waters. And imagine that, Singapore is very short of maritime pilots and most ppl working as a pilot are older folks who have been in the industry for many years.
Ship-Broker
Singapore is the world's 2nd busiest port and being 2nd busiest, there are heavy activities on chartering of ships and vessels and the trading of vessels in Singapore. I heard it's hard work but pay very good returns. One of my ex-colleague's brother is a ship broker, he started off as a trainee learning the ropes of a ship-broking and he is now the MD of a ship brokering company.
Bunker Trader
Vessels need bunker for transport similar to cars need petrol. Companies like Exxon Mobil and other petro companies are some of the companies who needs bunker trader. and the job pay well too.
Marine Insurance Underwriter/Broker
Though is insurance, this job underwrites and assess insurance for Marine Cargo, Marine Hull and etc. Or arrange marine classes insurances for client (Broker)
Marine Surveyor (ABS, BV and etc)
Survey and classify the classes of the different vessels and the vessels' adequateness for use for sea-faring
Government & GLC - Maritime Port Authority &
PSA
Well, as the heading, it's a pretty stable job and their pay is not as bad also. They are constantly in need of Maritime graduates=)
Well as you can see there are many opportunities for someone like you, as long as u determine on which path you want to take. And by all means, all those listed above are just some of the many career options you have as a maritime graduate, so it's for you to find out the other options.
I am an engineering graduate from
NTU. One word of advice, I encourage you to take up minors in
NTU, for eg, in business or economics, this will give you more options in the future, for example to go into banking or other finance related areas.
Well, a degree at times is just a portal, a portal to the many opportunities out there. I have heard engineering grads becoming great bankers and stuff. So no matter wat degree u go for, jus work hard in it, get the best results and your future will be there for you to be created and developed.
Hope my 2cts helps, Good Luck!