CadShipIntro

Cadet Shipping is defined in our course catalog as, "...a cooperative experience in the merchant marine in which the student is normally assigned a billet aboard a commercial merchant ship by the director of cadet shipping. (In some cases this cruise may be accomplished aboard the TS State of Maine.) The student participates in the operation of the ship as a cadet engineer or mate applying classroom lessons of the first two years. An extensive written sea project detailing all aspects of the experience is required."

Typically students will do their cadet shipping the summer after their sophomore year. Deck cadets will be assigned for 90 days and engineers for 60. In order to learn more about the different companies who have supported our cadet shipping program in the past you should consider the following sources:

Go to the library! The library has, on reserve, reports which have been filled out by students after their cadet shipping experience. These reports include vessel particulars and personal commentary.
Talk to your peers! Once you read through the cadet shipping reports, you should try and find some of the students who went out in the industry and talk with them about their summer.
Talk to faculty & staff! The faculty and staff at MMA are often still in touch with Alumni who are currently employed as mates and engineers. Not to mention that many faculty have sailed themselves and keep up with current events in the maritime industry.
Surf the web! All throughout our website we have links to different companies who have either recruited on campus or who have hired our graduates.
Attend company presentations! We have a career fair in October and also host several different employers on campus each year. To see who is planning to come visit Maine Maritime this year please go to our website and check out our calendar of events.
Stop in the Career Services office! Our conference room has brochures for many of the companies who have visited MMA and you are welcome to spend some time looking through our literature. If you can't find something you are searching for just ask, we are more than happy to help.

Link below to our Cadet Shipping Guide which further explains the process of billet assignment and availability.