Career options in marine industry

Q. I am waiting for my Class XII result. I want to work with ships, but am not sure if I would like to take up Marine Engineering. Is there anything else in the marine industry that I can opt for?

Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Chandigarh

 A. As huge as ships are, these marine vessels provide the best adventurous careers in the marine industry. As a vital part of the global economy, it carries about 90 per cent of the world's trade. Moreover, shipping is perfect for individuals fascinated by the sea, who love travelling to foreign ports, and want to experience different cultures. Due to an increase in international trade, the demand for shipping has expanded tremendously. Therefore, the sea transport has been producing a myriad employment opportunities.

 While both Naval Architects and Marine Engineers work with ships and allied structures, both play different roles. Naval architects are designers, and marine engineers are executors of that design.Naval architecture will undoubtedly be a good career option for you. You will play an essential role in planning the design, construction in the initial phase, modifying plans and statutory compliances, performing checks on equipment, and supervising and conducting maintenance schedules.

IIT, Chennai; IIT Delhi; Sree Narayana Gurukulam College of Engineering, Kerala; AMET University, Chennai; are some of the top colleges in India to learn Naval Architecture.

 Are you concerned about the deteriorating state of the marine environment? Would you like to manage marine ecology?

If so, then career as a Marine Environment Manager will be the right thing for you. As a marine ecologist, you will be responsible for preserving the marine ecosystem and biodiversity and governmental and non-governmental organisations, educational institutes, and other research institutions.

Indian Maritime University (IMU) Chennai; Vels Academy of Maritime Studies Chennai; Tolani Maritime Institute (TMI) Mumbai; Maharashtra Academy of Naval Education & Training (MANET) Pune; International Maritime Institute (IMI) Noida are the top colleges that provide courses in this field.

 In the current world, the job of Merchant Navy is far more prominent across the globe. Your aptitude for this field will get you fully engaged in commercial activities as a deck department, engine department, or crew rating department member.

If you are strong in electrical or electronics, you can also join a ship as an ETO (electro-technical officer) after mandatory onboard training. Tolani Maritime Institute, Pune; International Maritime Institute, Delhi; Coimbatore Marine College (CMC) Coimbatore; Institute of Technology & Marine Engineering (ITME) Kolkata are top colleges in India that train individuals for Merchant Navy.

Indian Navy offers another option if you have a fascination for the armed forces. Tolani Maritime Institute (TMI), Pune; Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies- Mumbai; International Maritime Institute (IMI) Delhi; Vels Academy of Maritime Studies Chennai; Maharashtra Academy of Naval Education and Training (MANET) Pune are the best colleges in India that train students to join the Indian Navy.

 The writer is Chief Mentor and CEO at Maven Career Coaching