Maritime Careers & Future

Careers

The Great Lakes/oceans maritime industry offers challenging and rewarding opportunities for ship officers. Based on the recent annual employment reports filed by the largest Great Lakes and oceans operators, there is an almost insatiable demand for new officers each year to fill positions aboard their vessels. Industry demand is based on vacancies resulting from officer retirements, shoreside opportunities, fleet expansion and the increasing demand for unlimited tonnage US Flag Officers internationally. The Academy is seeking to admit 60 to 75 quality cadets into our licensing programs each year to meet known demand for officer jobs afloat as well as maritime related jobs ashore. Shoreside opportunities such as transportation management, port management, ship surveying, import/export industries, federal government and ship brokerage positions are in high demand.

Ships officers work eight hours a day, usually following a schedule of four hours on duty and eight off. A deck officer is responsible for the management of the deck department. This includes the navigation/piloting of the ship, loading and unloading of cargo, ship's business, discipline and well being of crew, vessel safety and security. An engineering officer's duties include the management of the engineering department aboard ship. This involves engine room business, operation and preventative maintenance of machinery and equipment aboard ship, discipline and well being of crew, vessel safety and security.

The Great Lakes Maritime Academy is designed to prepare deck and enginneering officers for highly skilled positions aboard ship in addition to teaching the essential business skills needed to be succesful in the world of commercial shipping. Graduation from our maritime college requires determination and dedication, yet the rewards are well worth the effort.

Future

In general, the maritime industry continues to experience growth in the United States and internationally. As a multi-billion dollar global market, our industry continues to demand higher levels of education, certification and security from its employees. Our graduates are fully compliant with international quality standards (STCW '95) which enables them to compete for positions in the global marketplace. Academy graduates enjoy 100% employment upon graduation.

Below are some statistics on the maritime industry
(all links open in new windows):

• U.S. Dept. of Transportation:
  • MARAD: Maritime Administration Publications