Where should I go from here?

[David]

Hey guys

I’m a 21 year old living in Australia and I have studied traditional Mechanical engineering Bachelors for 2 years (of a 4 year degree) and then deferred my studies. It’s a highly theoretical school and I have no desire to spend my career behind a desk. I have absolutely no other formal qualifications (except highschool). I pick up practical work quickly and I work on my own personal projects such as building computers, rebuilding engines etc. (yet again no formal experience or qualifications)

I have a very strong desire to work offshore in any practical job related to the oil industry and I’m willing to bend over backwards and do whatever it takes to get there

I have applied to a marine college to become a ships engineering officer (STCW 95 III/2 + BSc Marine engineering) but there is a strong chance I won’t make it as it’s highly competitive and we have a very small number of shipping companies here that take only 1-2 cadets a year

1) is the Engineering degree of any use in the Offshore or ROV industry and is it worth me returning to Uni?

2) Am I wasting my time by applying to entrylevel/apprenticeship ROV jobs in my current position? (considering they will have 1000’s more qualified people applying)

3) would there be any other suggestions as to what I should do to help me get into this industry now or to set me up to get into it in the future?

[Ray Shields]

For rovs I feel the many people with practical experience will have a better chance than yourself.

However there are many other – better paid – jobs offshore such as subsea engineers, companies that design and build the equipment that is installed subsea etc. I would fond out more info on those to consider.

[David]

Rayshields,

After perusing these forums for a little while I am aware that an ROV job is not that highly paid, but I can assure you it is more money than I have ever seen in my life, and for me money is not a main factor, as long as I can live on it.

I’m not at all interested in the design side of things, I would prefer to operate or maintain, that is one of the reasons I put my engg degree on hold.

[Ray Shields]

Then I would suggest you need to get practical qualifications and experience on your CV or you have very little chance with the thousands of people out there right now all after a handful of jobs.

Degrees do not teach the practical skills required to maintain the equipment, they do not teach you how to solder, splice cables, repair leaking hydraulic connectors, etc.

[Author]

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