Career Services

Tesla Offers

In need of engineers, the famed car company comes to Castine.

Many people associate MMA with the maritime trades rather than hi-tech auto manufacturing, but a recent visit by two representatives from Tesla Inc., the renowned electric car producer, resulted in job offers for eight MMA engineering students.

The Tesla factory in Fremont, California is one of the world’s most advanced automotive plants, capable of producing 100,000 cars annually, but plans call for an expansion to produce 500,000 a year, and the need for engineers to make it happen.

One of the Tesla reps, Robert Howe, had worked for a New Hampshire nuclear power plant and had experience with a number of MMA grads there who impressed him with their capabilities. When the new personnel needs were announced at Tesla, according to Tim Leach ’10, Director of Career Services, Howe said, “I knew right where to go: MMA.”

Leach adds, “He knows we produce graduates with solid academic credentials and practical skills that you typically don’t see with other engineering graduates.

“There are plenty of engineers who can design things, but not so many who can build them if necessary.”

“MMA grads have the functional skills, knowledge and diligence that are a perfect fit for Tesla’s situation where problems have to be solved on the floor in a practical way, quickly.”

For reference, when Tesla unveiled the Model 3 electric auto in 2016, its first for the mass market, a week later global reservations totaled 325,000 units.█

Engineering

Sea Service

Using military sea service to upgrade merchant marine credentials

Assistant Professor Hank Stewart accrued many years of sea service on U.S. Navy warships. He joined MMA upon his retirement, and after taking required Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) courses, Stewart requested the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) review his Naval sea service and apply it toward upgrading his Third Assistant Engineer’s license.

The USCG eventually determined he met requirements for licensing as an Unlimited Chief Engineer of Steam, Motor and Gas Turbine propelled vessels, upon completion of the license examination.

Along the way, Stewart learned a few things that might interest other alumni seeking license upgrades based on military sea service.

—Merchant mariner credentials are not required to operate military vessels. Therefore, many licensees forgo upgrading or maintaining active credentials. We recommend licensees place their documents in continuity to prevent expiration.

—The USCG’s process of evaluating military sea service is convoluted and lengthy. To help, consider hiring a consultant to assist, as questions and clarifications between applicants and examiners can be repetitive and time consuming. (Use web search: “maritime license consultant.”)

—We recommend veterans provide a cover letter with their application stating credentials sought and listing dates assigned to military vessels as qualified deck or engine watch officer along with ship names, tonnage and horsepower ratings. Normally 60 percent of sea time on a military vessel is credited. The letter should be supported by qualification letters, relevant information from your service record and copies of certificates from USCG-approved courses.

—Once your package is submitted, cheerful patience and a consultant can help. Stewart’s license upgrade took several months with his consultant answering inquiries on his behalf. He used this time to study for the examination and his Unlimited Chief’s license.

— BY ASSIST. PROFESSOR HANK STEWART ’92 AND PROFESSOR LAURIE FLOOD ’93, CHAIR, DEPT. OF ENGINEERING

NROTC

Cadets Host Units From 10 Schools for Challenge

Nearly 150 JROTC and Sea Cadet students from 10 schools in Maine and New Hampshire were hosted by MMA and University of Maine Naval and Army ROTC students at MMA on the weekend of March 31.

They were treated to a variety of unique events and activities. For example, after cadets checked in—and completed a brief and exciting evacuation drill—they were berthed aboard TS State of Maine. This was the first time in at least the last decade JROTC students have been berthed on the ship. It was a great

Cadets get to try some of Marine fitness training provided by USMC Gunnery Sergeant Dean Begaye.

opportunity for these JROTC students to have a glimpse of what ship life is all about.

Saturday events began with a physical training session led by Gunnery Sergeant Dean Begaye, USMC. After breakfast, the cadets visited MMA facilities, including the diesel lab where they learned about different engine components and function; the wet lab where they observed

sea life being studied; land navigation at Fort George led by the University of Maine Army ROTC; bridge simulation in the BIW building where they drove a destroyer; a leadership presentation; and an ocean survival lab in the Bok Pool.

All of this and more were made possible with help from 75 Navy and Army ROTC midshipman and cadets, active duty staff and Midshipman Tristan Albert, who was primarily responsible for planning the event.

“I believe our unit and partners,” he says, “have instilled a sense of pride in making the Leadership Challenge Weekend better than the previous year.”
—BY MIDSHIPMAN BRENDAN BRODERICK

Arts & Sciences

Ireland Itinerary

Study abroad fosters global know-how

When professors Kim and Leon Raikes told the group of 14 students who participated in MMA’s Ireland Study Abroad program this May that they were covering Holy Ground, they weren’t exaggerating.

Now in its ninth year, the Irish Study Abroad program allows students to enroll in two courses for three credits each related to Irish history, art, literature, environment and Celtic spirituality. They visit prehistoric and early Christian sites, including Clonmanoise, an early monastic site, as well as megalithic tombs, Celtic holy wells, and other landmarks in the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland.

“Few students have been able to see and touch history that reaches back 5,500 years, or to experience how these places exude spirituality and historic meaning in the lives of the present day Irish inhabitants,” say Kim and Leon.

Home base for the group are traditional thatched cottages in Tullycross, Renvyle, County Galway, Ireland. The village is home to a few hundred people and in an area famous for hillwalking, pony-trekking, angling, traditional music, deep-sea fishing, and Gaelic heritage.

“During our stay in Tullycross, students walk a lot and depend on meeting local people both out of the necessities of daily life and out of the need to conduct primary research for academic projects. From this experience of connection, students gain an awareness of European world views, as well as personal self-confidence and global enhancement of their career paths,” according to the Raikes.

“For example, some students explore modern Irish uses of power technology and climate control, while others research similarities between Irish and Maine coastal habitats.”

One of the goals of the program is to foster a life-long interest in students for learning about other cultures through their immersive experience in Ireland.

“The payoff for their future professional careers is that they learn to work with others from a different culture to achieve their goals, which will be a reality for many MMA graduates,” say Kim and Leon.█

Regiment

MMA Hosts Maritime Academies Conference

MMA proudly hosted the inaugural State Maritime Academy Leadership Conference during the weekend of March 24, 2017. Current and aspiring student leaders from Maine Maritime and Massachusetts Maritime Academy gathered to share ideas, network and participate in
presentations offered by leaders in transportation, business, manufacturing, construction and energy.

Delegates were welcomed by President Brennan during the opening dinner, and later attended the Inaugural Founders Day Ball.

Bethann Rooney, Assistant Director of Ports for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and a SUNY Maritime alumna, offered Saturday’s keynote address, “Leadership in the Changing and Challenging Maritime Industry.”

The program continued with presentations by MMA alumni Capt. Gordon “Mac” MacArthur ’00, Peter Mento, Ph.D. ’93, John Sewall ’87, and Alumni Association President Joseph Cote ’82. Speakers discussed their career paths and how experiential, hands-on learning at MMA shaped their abilities to lead, mentor and collaborate with other professionals.

Following, delegates enjoyed friendly competition in a 5K fun run, turns on the climbing wall and pick-up basketball games. The day concluded with a roundtable discussion in which leaders shared challenges and solutions for implementation on their campuses.

The weekend culminated with the presentation of challenge coins to attendees by Commandant of Midshipman, Capt. Nathan Gandy and a
palpable spirit of camaraderie among the student leaders participating in what will become an annual event.
— BY LT. ALLISON SMALL