ON THE JOB
By Colleen Peters '05
Lead Marine Technician, RV Falkor
Thereisnoschoolforlearninghowtobeamarinetech-
nician. There are no manuals, no rules, no procedures.
You simply have to jump in. So, nothing beats on-the-job ex-
perience to get the hang of how to communicate, coordinate
operations, put equipment in the water and retrieve it, solve
problems, and collect good data. The best way to do this is
with an internship: a chance to work alongside another tech-
nician and learn the tricks of the trade. For deck and engine
midshipmen, it is standard practice to go on a ship as a
cadet, in addition to two training cruises. These positions are
built into the industry to train the next generation of officers.
This is not necessarily the case for science students; not
many companies or universities provide such experiences,
and even fewer provide compensation.
As a student, I was selected for two Marine Advanced
Technology Education Center (MATE) internships. These
cruises allowed me to shadow the shipboard marine techni-
cian and assist with science operations. Anyone can learn
to map the seafloor or collect oceanographic data, but not
everyone has the knack to spot problems and ultimately find
solutions, especially in a timely and efficient manner. No
Students can and do participate in experiences
minutes can be wasted given the cost of operating an ocean-
beyond the classroom that enhance their networks.
Fifteenth Annual Career Fair
ographic research vessel. My two internships affirmed that
According to Easley, "Cadet shipping, co-ops and
my Marine Science and Small Vessel Operations degrees
internships are very dynamic social experiences
launches
student
networks
were providing a great foundation to become a professional
that require students to communicate and interact
marine technician. I also worked on sail training and passen-
with professionals in a field closely aligned with
ger vessels, which gave me a well-rounded sea experience,
their studies. At the end of a field experience,
and confirmed that supporting scientific operations at sea
a student has built a reputation and a list of
was my true calling.
At Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI), I have assisted in the de-
professional contacts." Leach noted that 16.87%
velopment of the Student Opportunity Program, where we try
more cadet shipping billets
to fill the otherwise unused berths with students so that they
and co-op assignments were
can get coveted offshore experience. Naturally, I immediately
filled in 2015, compared with
thought of MMA as a source for these student interns.
5 years ago. New internships
As the Lead Marine Technician, I am responsible for the
are helping to meet the in-
scientific equipment and operations on the vessel, and also
creased need. Colleen Peters
for the interns in our new program. We are currently hosting
'05, lead marine technician
three students: one MATE intern and two interns specifically
for Schmidt Ocean Institute
selected by SOI, one of whom is Julianna Diehl '17 from
helped develop a competitive
Pennsylvania.
This particular 2015 summer cruise focused on physical
internship aboard her vessel,
oceanography. The technical interns have become respon-
RV Falkor. Read about how
sible for the preparation, conducting of casts and mainte-
she and Julianna Diehl '17
nance of the Conductivity Temperature Depth system (CTD),
created a succesful internship
a fundamental oceanographic operation.
in the companion story at
Julianna is very responsible and enthusiastic to learn what
right.
needs to be done and how to do it. Being able to learn quick-
According to Paul Mercer,
ly and adapt to changes are further advantages. Julianna
Director of Alumni Affairs,
is also studying Marine Science and Small Vessels Opera-
"It's the people associated
tions. It has been a fantastic experience to mentor an MMA
with MMA who are the
student, and see her make casts without guidance. It is clear
she will make a great contribution to our small industry.
`cement' ­ that define who we
I don't expect every student intern who walks up the
are and what we have accom-
gangway to become a marine technician. That's not the end
plished since 1941. They are the core of `Mariners
goal. It is important for interns to figure out what they want to
Forever,' and they are our future." It is the people
do and don't want to do early on, no matter what major they
- alumni, students, staff, faculty, and administra-
are studying, before they fully commit themselves to specific
tors ­ who develop the tight nexus of contacts that
career paths. The key here is to be able to experience a
contribute significantly to the quality of education
variety of jobs to help narrow down what they might like to
at Maine Maritime Academy.
do for a long term career. Budget cuts, lack of funding, and
lack of resources make this difficult, but that is where we,
the alumni, can help, and it's up to us to look out for the next
generation: #WeAreMariners!

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