Post graduate careers

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serviceacademyhopeful1809

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Since most of the majors offered at USMMA are marine and ship-based, what would the post-graduate careers look like? I know that you can become an officer in any branch, but do most people stay in the coast guard or navy rather than the airforce or army since their degree can be directly applicable to those careers?

I have been trying to see what most people do with a marine engineering degree and am interested to see if many people stay on the merchant marine route or become an officer in one of the branches.

I would appreciate any insight into this situation as I haven't been able to find exactly what career paths most people take after USMMA with a marine engineering degree.
 
We have heard from others here at SAF that opportunities to sail on your license are becoming fewer each year. Some report they find it challenging to land a job right out of school, while others have secured their job prior to graduation -- so it seems mixed. Those choosing to commission into a branch of service have the job lined up. Fewer than 50% of the class elects to The post graduation service commitment is to either commission for 5 years or serve in the maritime industry and Navy Reserve for 5 years. The types of roles that qualify as serving in the maritime industry are quite vast.

At the end of the day, all Service Academy graduates have a degree based on science and engineering due to the core curriculum of the schools. This translates into a number of career opportunities. The specific major is less important for the vast majority of career fields. The leadership development and engineering background make USMMA graduates, as well as other SA graduates, ideal candidates for management and/or technical roles in most companies. There are employers who seek out junior military officers to enter their leadership development programs and alumni participate in things like the Service Academy Career Conference which is an exclusive job fair open to grads.

at 1:29:00 in the graduation video from 2020 you can see (kinda) where people are going branch wise (Navy captures most because of reserve status) https://www.maritimetv.com/Events/USMMA-2020-Graduation-Ceremony/VideoId/-1/UseHtml5/True
There looked to be 1 Air Force guy.... I am sure there are better numbers available but this event was top of mind.
 
About 25-35% of each graduating class chooses to go active duty. Most go Navy followed by Coast Guard and Marine Corps. A few go Air Force and Army. The job market is what you make it. Top students and those who make the most of sea year and internships can choose from multiple good offers. They collect lots of letters of recommendation and keep in contact with those they meet during sea year. Slackers will struggle and spend a lot of days sitting around the union hall waiting for work. Some have to start as unlicensed QMED's or AB's to work their way up to a licensed position. In addition, it is pretty easy to get a job working for MSC right now
 
I have answered this in other threads, but it seems that the careers of KP alumni can go anywhere. Myself? I sailed, then came ashore as a marine surveyor and now work as an energy adjustor. I have classmates that still sail, have retired from sailing, have become Naval Aviators, lawyers, marine consultants, senior executives, almost endless possibilities.
 
It's been a long time since I posted here, but I do still lurk. DD graduated with a straight Engine degree. She sailed both as a civilian engineer on NOAA ships and with an MSC contractor based out of Yokohama. When she transitioned to shoreside, she found a position as a factory maintenance engineer with a major food manufacturer. Since then she has transitioned again into positions as a data center engineer. She was recently promoted to shift supervisor and is planning to pursue a Masters in Systems Engineering. Data center engineering is a rapidly growing field.
 
kpmom2013 said:
Slackers will struggle and spend a lot of days sitting around the union hall waiting for work.
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If you elect to sail with a union the hires through a hall via seniority, this is what you have to do. It doesn't make you a slacker.
 
Graduates of Merchant Marine Academies have some of the highest employment and pay rates from all universities. Google it. Tons of ranking and articles about it. Couple years ago they ranked pay from all California colleges 10 years after they start school. Cal Maritime was number 1. Similar story from other maritime schools.
 
serviceacademyhopeful1809 said:
Since most of the majors offered at USMMA are marine and ship-based, what would the post-graduate careers look like? I know that you can become an officer in any branch, but do most people stay in the coast guard or navy rather than the airforce or army since their degree can be directly applicable to those careers?

I have been trying to see what most people do with a marine engineering degree and am interested to see if many people stay on the merchant marine route or become an officer in one of the branches.

I would appreciate any insight into this situation as I haven't been able to find exactly what career paths most people take after USMMA with a marine engineering degree.
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I graduated with a Marine Engineering degree. Had multiple job offers upon graduation. I ended up taking an active duty Navy commission in aviation. It’s a great route
 
jobu122 said:
I graduated with a Marine Engineering degree. Had multiple job offers upon graduation. I ended up taking an active duty Navy commission in aviation. It’s a great route
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Are u an Aviator? How long have you been in the Navy
 
jobu122 said:
I flew in the Navy for 20 years and now fly commercial. Best part of maritime academy is you can apply for a pilot slot and if you don’t get it you have zero commitment. Not so with ROTC or SAs obviously
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At KP you still have the Navy Reserve SSO commitment if the pilot slot didn’t work out.
 
jobu122 said:
I flew in the Navy for 20 years and now fly commercial. Best part of maritime academy is you can apply for a pilot slot and if you don’t get it you have zero commitment. Not so with ROTC or SAs obviously
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Appreciate that info. DS wants to fly. Got his ground license or something like that. He is recruited to play football. Will go Navy regardless. Has been advised how important grades are, leadership qualities, recommendations and testing is in selection process. Can you offer any other advice?
 
KamsDadQB1 said:
Appreciate that info. DS wants to fly. Got his ground license or something like that. He is recruited to play football. Will go Navy regardless. Has been advised how important grades are, leadership qualities, recommendations and testing is in selection process. Can you offer any other advice?
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Grades aren't that important. It matters more about the accession targets the year that you graduate. The year I graduated, some people who had bad grades, bad conduct, etc commissioned in aviation.
 
Mr2020 said:
Grades aren't that important. It matters more about the accession targets the year that you graduate. The year I graduated, some people who had bad grades, bad conduct, etc commissioned in aviation.
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Much appreciated. My DS has been talking to a 1st class that got aviation and he has told him about the roles he was given both halves. Good stuff
 
Mr2020 said:
Grades aren't that important. It matters more about the accession targets the year that you graduate. The year I graduated, some people who had bad grades, bad conduct, etc commissioned in aviation.
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Sorry but that’s bad advice. Grades will always matter. Some years more than others. For what it’s worth when I commissioned only 5 pilots were selected from ALL maritime academies. It’s called a “drawdown” and that happens often. It’s cyclical. Grades are very important in flight school. It is very competitive
 
That's what I meant, guy. If you're in a good year with high accessions, you're probably good regardless of the grades. But, if you're going to a maritime academy with the express goal of being a pilot, you possibly lack direction, logic, or both.
 
KamsDadQB1 said:
Appreciate that info. DS wants to fly. Got his ground license or something like that. He is recruited to play football. Will go Navy regardless. Has been advised how important grades are, leadership qualities, recommendations and testing is in selection process. Can you offer any other advice?
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It is very interesting to see who starts off absolutely sure they are going one direction and end up changing their ultimate destination entirely! One of the best parts about KP is the real-life Sea Year experience which gives the Mids a good look at the maritime life/career. That changes minds.

Roughly +/- 75% come into USMMA saying they are going to go to commission into an active duty service branch, and at the end, +/- 75% do NOT commission into an active duty service branch. Things change as they see all the opportunities afforded to them with a USMMA degree and USCG license. As a parent of a 2021, I've been fascinated with hearing all the stories and seeing Mids choose their paths.

Best advice to give your son/daughter is to keep an open mind. Golden opportunity to choose the right path for you!
 
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