Just before your first months in school are over, the Co-op coordinator puts together a list of shipping companies to come and do interviews with the student. After a very helpful and professional workshop is taught on how to properly put together a resume and cover letter, they are then sent off to the shipping companies by the Co-op Co-coordinator. The fact that we as students at BCIT do not have to go out looking for a shipping company brings on a whole new value to the program. After talking with some of the other people on board, I learned that with their schools, they had to try to find a job. I say try because it can be a challenge to get a job when you don’t have the connections in the shipping industry. This is all set up for you at The BCIT Marine Campus.
Currently, I am on my third month with Royal Caribbean International for my sea phase. Words cannot describe how amazing of an experience it has been. Everything I have learned in school has now been seen in person on board. I have two months left on board Anthem of the Seas before I head back to school for another six months. Seeing as I have learned so much here, school will be alot easier. It’s so much different to just have someone explain something to you or even show you a picture and when you are physically doing a task. I have found that you learn much better this way.
When I first arrived on board, I was doing a lot of work with the bosun. This means, I got to learn how to do maintenance on the ship. Not only will your knowledge greatly increase, but you will also get to go to parts of a ship, that not many others get to go. That, and parts of a ship you didn’t even imagine existed. One of my favorite spots was up on the mast. At first I thought Anthem had only 16 decks. Nope, there is 18 as I discovered. I thought I was scared of heights until I was assigned the task to do chipping and painting on deck 18. “Deck 18 I said”, as my eyes grew big. I went with a couple of the deck hands, our tools, and of course a safety harness. When I got up there. All I could see was a breathtaking view of Bermuda. No more fear of heights. Anything you are scared of, I have found that you have to some how turn it into a positive thing. Chipping and painting on deck 18 did exactly this for me.
Along with the maintenance work, I had also started to do the arrivals and departures on the bridge. It’s very humbling to know that you are part of such an incredible team and helping manouvering such a powerful ship.
When I say I am on arrivals and Departures, this means that I set up the bridge. When the Captain, Staff Captain, and Chief arrive to maneuver the ship, it is all ready for them. For such a big ship, the check list too is big. But as I go through the list, I love every minute of it. When we begin the departure, my job is to speak up if I see any dangers around us. Also to monitor and report to the bridge team, our position on a regular basis.
Please note all thoughts and opinions are my own and do not in any way reflect those of Royal Caribbean.
wow amazing story cant wait to come and study at BCIT . my dream is to become a captain