Lindsey Pinkham ’04

Major at MMA: Marine Transportation Operations
Extracurricular involvement while at MMA: Castine Volunteer Fire Department
Employer: Midcoast First Aid LLC.

Where has your career taken you since graduation?

After shipping for a few years, I came shoreside and began teaching at MMA. Then, I transitioned to work for Downeast Maritime Inc. as a full time USCG trainer. Now, I have my own company, Midcoast First Aid LLC, offering coast guard approved training as well as other safety training and consulting services. I also still work as a manager and instructor for Downeast Maritime Inc. in our combined office in Thomaston, Maine.

What is your current title and what are your responsibilities?

I am the owner/manager of Midcoast First Aid LLC. My responsibilities include teaching classes, providing safety consults and plans, miscellaneous office work, and writing courses for USCG approval, and running our Maine office with a staff of four.

What piece of advice would you give to a student going into your field?

No matter what you’re thinking your career path is going to be – be open to change and exploring all options. When you begin a career in shipping, remember that the industry is ever-changing and what you are doing today may not be what you are doing tomorrow. Also. enjoy every experience, both good or bad, as we can learn from them all.

How did the MMA experience prepare you for both your prior positions and your current career focus?

Maine Maritime Academy gave me the leadership skills and the confidence in myself to take chances and explore all of the opportunities that were put in front of me. With the diversity of hands-on training, classroom learning, and cadet shipping, I was well prepared for the challenges that the shipping industry can present.

What are your goals for the future?

My goals for the future are to grow my business and be able to offer more USCG approved course to the mariners, as well as help educate the next generation of mariners and provide them with the understanding, and hopefully love, of ocean- one of our greatest assets.