I echo what KPE states, except for the part about wanting the job since I was 15. . back then, I wanted to be a fighter pilot, and that is what got me on the Academy track in the first place. At KP, I learned about being an engineer and was sold on it. And like KPE, I sailed on a broad range of vessels. Deep sea, on larger vessels, and especially just out of school, there will be a variety of work, from routine maintenance to cleaning, repairs, standing watch ( for vessels with manned engine rooms), etc. When I sailed on wire boats, I was the only engineer after a training period. I am not sure that happens any longer with STCW regulations. I stood a watch twice a day and did what maintenance, repairs, cleaning, painting, etc. I could. Off watch, I was often busy when alarms would go off, or to finish work that I could not complete while on watch. And there was always some deck work, too. Assisting the deck hands during mooring, running the towing winch (not always, often times the mate would) and other miscellaneous duties. On an ATB, the barge then came into play, maintaining the equipment there, repairing pumps and pump seals, generator and winch maintenance. . . but, man, I sure did a lot of reading back then. We didn't have satellite TV yet, or Internet for that matter. We did have video tapes, and I would always try to bring movies that I recorded while at home off of cable. . . Upon coming ashore, I have had no problems (as yet) getting work. I stayed in the Industry, becoming a Class Surveyor with the American Bureau of Shipping at first. 10 years later, I moved to the Insurance end of things to work as an independent adjuster, primarily energy focused, but with some marine work and offshore when it happens. . . I can tell you, I cannot think of a better way to "grow up" than being a marine engineer. Even during the bad days, it beat the hell out of what other people my age were doing. I was also single for a long time, and while going to sea probably kept me that way for a while, I did enjoy the freedom, so to speak. . . I know that the Industry has changed since I sailed, but even with the current state, I recommend a career in Marine Engineering. It won't be easy, for sure. . . but if I had a chance to do it all over again, I would.