I did not have a school background directly related to my initial position at BSM. I am a Bachelor of Science graduate who started as a direct entry cadet and eventually rose to the position of master. After sailing as a master for a few years, I decided to transition to shore-based work and applied for a Marine Superintendent position with BSM INDIA.

When I first started in the industry, it was a very different experience from sailing. I received on-the-job training and was immediately put in challenging situations, which was a learning experience for me right from the start. When I first joined, the learning was steep for a Superintendent. BSM now provides many tools to enhance a young superintendent's skills, such as the BSM Superintendent Development Program.

I was confident in making the leap and applying for a position with BSM since I had previously served as a 2nd Officer with the company. BSM was my first choice when applying for shore jobs. After my interview, I went back to sailing, and when I returned home, I was fortunate to have been offered the job.

One of the most exciting things I learned about the maritime industry was the commercial operations of a ship, which I had limited exposure to as a Master. As far as BSM goes, I immediately settled into my role as a Marine Superintendent with the support of senior management. One of the things I appreciated the most was the comfort of working and the fact that my superiors always appreciated my sincerity at work. During my time with BSM, I was fortunate enough to work on the biggest ore carriers-VALEMAXES, which we managed from both BSM India and BSM Hong Kong. I also enjoyed the knowledge-sharing sessions we had in India, where Superintendents would have a weekly knowledge-sharing session over some hot samosas and tea.

My decision to join BSM was heavily influenced by my sailing experience with the company and my interaction with their office at the time. While I didn't undergo any specifically designed program for my job profile, I honed my skills daily through my job handling. Moving to BSM HK was also a great opportunity to gain more knowledge through on-the-job training and value-added courses like BIMCO.

To potential interns looking to join BSM, I would say, this is a great company to join, with various opportunities available across ship management and ancillary services.

I first joined BSM back in 2010 as a 3rd Engineer. I chose this company because I was looking for a reliable and reputable company that could offer me career progression. Working at sea was a very interesting and challenging time for me. Every day I learned something new and felt the responsibility that the company delegated to me. I remember having some fun with the crew, especially with the cadets. I once ordered an Engine Cadet to go to the AFT and cut a pipe that was accidentally welded on the deck. I gave him only a hacksaw and pointed him to the ship's bollard. He never stood a chance!

While I enjoyed my time at sea, I eventually decided to look for opportunities ashore because I wanted to spend more time with my family. Being there for my kids as they grow up is very important to me, and I knew that an ashore job would give me more time with them. When I found out that BSM Hellas was looking for a Technical Superintendent and I decided to give it a try. I didn't mind which country the job was based in; as soon as I saw BSM Hellas had an opening, I applied.

The transition from sea to shore was not easy, but BSM was helpful in making it easier. I received assistance from my colleagues and familiarization before joining BSM Hellas. I also completed a Superintendency course at Lloyd's Maritime Academy before starting my new job.

For other seafarers who are considering this transition, my advice is not to be afraid of change. It can be difficult to leave your comfort zone, but with effort, you can succeed. When an opportunity presents itself, take it and make the most of it.

I studied Maritime Studies at Nanyang Technological University. This course gave me a glimpse of the different functions in the shipping industry and how each interacts and coexists with the other.

After finishing my studies, I pursued a traineeship with BSM because this program offered comprehensive and practical experience, including vessel visits and overseas dockings. BSM has many ex-seafarers with a wealth of knowledge and experiences, which are always willing to share and teach.

Every day at BSM is different and gets better. My favourite experience as a BSM trainee was going for vessel visits and dry docks. These visits were always full of activities, and I got to understand the vessel's operations. This experience gave me a strong appreciation for vessel operations that were hard to experience by just sitting in the office. Moreover, I learnt how BSM provides value to its customers and seafarers. The most valuable lesson I learned was always to be open to learning and never stop growing.

My proudest achievement during the traineeship was assisting in completing a dry dock project for around 26 days in Bahrain. It was a very tiring experience, but seeing the vessel repairs successfully completed was fulfilling.

After finishing my traineeship, I decided to stay with BSM because there were still so many opportunities to learn and grow.

Based on my personal experience, a piece of advice I can give to fresh graduates looking to join BSM as a trainee would be to dare to step out of their comfort zone and grab any opportunities that come their way.

Shipping has always been an area of interest for me, which was why I chose to study Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering in college. This Major helped me link theory and practice by participating in initially supervised and then scheduled tasks, such as new building projects, sea trials, and daily Superintendent tasks.

I decided to pursue a traineeship with BSM because it is a global, leading company in shipping. It had undeniable benefits. During my traineeship, I developed global skill sets, navigated new business cultures, and gained research experience. I gained adequate access to different departments that helped me transition into a permanent job.

My favourite experience in the trainee scheme was participating in three different new-building projects in Asia. I had the opportunity to meet and be mentored by professionals in significant positions within the company and learn from the best. From the beginning, I was able to observe the troubleshooting of real-time problems and get advice and tips. This experience allowed me to work efficiently under pressure, which has been very valuable.

After completing my traineeship, I decided to stay with BSM, as I could put into practice everything I learnt as a trainee. It was also a way to accelerate and prove that I was worth the investment and trust BSM showed me. Furthermore, the Schulte Group services combine innovation, expertise, and excellence and cover all aspects of shipping. This fascinated me and was a catalyst for my decision.

My proudest achievement during the traineeship was receiving an offer for permanent employment from two different locations in the Schulte Group after the successful completion of my traineeship. Also, I am very glad I developed an international network of friends and colleagues all around the world.

My advice for other fresh graduates looking to join BSM or one of its traineeship programs is to take advantage of the opportunity to join the company. A graduate scheme in a major company such as BSM will undoubtedly allow them to apply their academic knowledge to real cases, enriching their experience. They must not be afraid of working hard because this is the key to consistent growth in professional life.