Ship Industry demanding MESD grads

Marine Engineering Systems Design (MESD) graduates give life to ships and their specialized education is drawing the attention of local, national and international employers. Brandon Wrice and Shyla Wheaton are two MESD students who received their diplomas of technology at MI’s spring graduation. Their training in this relatively unique program has put them on industry’s radar

Friday, June 14, 2013

After sifting through several offers, Wrice accepted a junior designer position with Technip while Wheaton is joining Aker Solutions Oilfield Services Canada Inc. as a junior implementation coordinator.

“Getting job offers, securing a job and working before graduation is exciting,” said Wrice. “Dedicating myself to three intense years of school has resulted in an excellent job with industry leader Technip. The work I am doing for Technip is slightly outside the scope of the MESD program, however the thorough education I received allows for me to adapt and gives me the broad knowledge I need to easily build an understanding of the work I am doing.”

Receiving multiple job offers before finishing their studies made both Wrice and Wheaton realize how the MESD program is valued by not only the shipbuilding industry, but by many employers. The vast industry opportunities and offers allowed Wheaton to hold out for the company she wanted and the position that was best for her.

But getting to that point was a journey.

“The program work was time consuming, but it wasn’t rocket science. I gave up a lot of my social life and it was worth it,” said Wheaton. “Our instructors were a really good support system to fall back on. They have been here for us since day one, and after our parents, they are the first people we told about our interviews and job offers.”

The MESD program has always experienced high employment rates, but in recent years this number has grown. Through speaking with MESD graduates we know they receive jobs either before or right after graduation from local, national and international employers.

“As instructors, our reward is getting to see our graduates presented with excellent employment opportunities,” said Mark Wareham, instructor. “I can’t help but grin when they come to me saying they have multiple job offers. That’s what makes this job worth it.”

MI trains naval architect technologists to design ships and instructs the marine engineering systems design technologists to develop all the mechanical systems that allow the ship to operate; bilge, ballast, firefighting, fuel oil, lube oil, cooling water, compressed air, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and numerous other system components.

In industry, marine engineering systems design technologists work as a team with naval architects to create self-sustaining entities which can safely operate in harsh ocean environments.