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Top Insider Advice
Working abroad was a huge step, working at sea was an even bigger one. I had moments at the start, where I thought I would never pass my STCW course (sea safety, fire fighting etc, a course that is required to work at sea) I ended up having to do the course 3 times throughout my career as it has to be renewed every 5 years. I never thought at the start of my career at sea that I would become an actual uniform wearing officer. What I mean by this is an officer in a white uniform with gold stripes (Epaulettes) on my shoulders - but I did when I became the Front Office manager onboard Thomson Spirit, what a massive learning curve I did it!
Career path
Destination Services Executive
Marella Cruises / TUI UK & I
Started 11/2021 to PresentCompany
What do you like about your job and the company?
Ultimately moving from waking up in a different port everyday to being land based has been challenging. But the best part about my current job is I still get to travel. I get to do site visits to new regions/ports we are taking the ships to (if i'm looking after them). I also get to visit the ships to support the teams and to meet the agents I speak to on a regular basis in person. Plus I get to attend industry events such as Seatrade. But I also get to see my family more than once every 6 months which is wonderful, as whilst travelling is fantastic you do miss out on a lot of the simple things like Christmas. I missed 7 Christmas's in a row whilst working at sea, summer BBQ's, birthdays, weddings etc as they didn't match up with my assigned vacation time.
Greatest achievements
I believe I am a lucky person, as I can sit and think of many moments (some funny, some unbelievable, some scary) in my career that I am proud of. Some I'm proud of because I survived and I probably shouldn't tell you about those! But through those experiences I learnt that I am resourceful, I'm strong in a crisis, I'm dependable and that I can find solutions to problems in the hardest of circumstances. I've made some dreams / lifelong ambitions for some people come true a long the way and seeing how people react to seeing places for the first time is always magical.
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Olivia M
Global Recruitment Marketing & Social Media Specialist
Top Insider Advice
I have always been an introvert, but working at TUI has helped me push myself. By volunteering to help on different projects and saying 'yes' to opportunities has meant that I have had the chance to work with so many different people and expose myself to different projects. This has enabled me to develop a larger skillset and helped increase my confidence. I'm always willing to try new things and think of different solutions which is key at TUI since we really value innovation. If you want to develop yourself and in turn, your career, then don't be afraid to push yourself outside of your comfort zone and say yes.
Ilias K
Top Insider Advice
Your next opportunity lies right around the corner. All you have to do, as I have realised, is to chase for your dreams and try to do your best! Look out, as your opportunities will show up after your hard work!
