Emily Davies, Cadet
Originally from Cardiff, Wales, Emily is currently completing her second trip at sea working on board Aurora, as part of her fourth phase as a Carnival UK Cadet.
Why did you choose a cadetship?
I never really knew what I wanted to do after school, and university never appealed to me. As soon as I found out about Merchant Navy Cadetships, I knew that it was the perfect thing for me. A cadetship offers a way unlike any other to begin your career path with its combination of theoretical and practical learning whilst being able to travel the world. By receiving a monthly bursary and the course being fully sponsored, there is also no worry of debt from a student loan later down the line when finishing the course.
Why did you choose Carnival UK to compete your cadetship with?
Working for Carnival UK means the opportunities for progression and personnel development are endless, even at Cadet level. It’s a company known for its inclusion and diversity, working with people from all corners of the world. They bring to life two of the most iconic brands of Britain’s rich seafaring history and are part of the movement of tomorrow using more environmental resources to provide their well-known astounding service. With new ships becoming part of the Carnival UK family, namely our newest LNG ship Arvia and Queen Anne, the company’s horizon is only ever broadening, and I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. With the constant support available from our training managers no matter the time zone or where we are in the world, there really is no company I’d rather work for.
There really is no company I’d rather work for.
What have you liked most about your training so far and why?
One of the most rewarding and enjoyable aspects of my training, although not academic has been the opportunity to connect with and learn from people all over the world. Being on a ship with 29 nationalities has exposed me to such diverse perspectives and backgrounds of which has broadened my understanding of the world and challenged me to think critically about my own perspectives. I’ve truly enjoyed the sense of community we form as part of the Merchant Navy despite the vast geographic distances.
I’ve also had the privilege of meeting some of the most influential people in the merchant navy, particularly last year when I had the opportunity of representing the company at a UK Chamber of Shipping Event in the House of Commons. With working towards my Officer of the Watch ticket it is challenging but rewarding goal, and the experiences I’ve had onboard my ship, from the diverse crew members to the influential figures I’ve met, have equipped me with valuable knowledge and a strong sense of community which cannot be found within any other workplace.
What would you say to someone thinking about starting a career at sea?
Take a leap and do it, you really won’t regret it! I left my 2nd year of A Levels mid-way through term to accept my cadetship and since then I haven’t looked back. This career is a marathon not a sprint, but the golden ticket of receiving your Officer of the Watch at the end will make it 100% worth it. If in doubt, speak to as many people within the industry as you can. Do plenty of research into sponsoring companies to see which are suited to you and that you would love to work for. The merchant navy is one big family, and we are always ready to help someone new become a part of it too!
