Solidifying her Maritime Career Purpose with Internships

MaritimeONE scholar Sureka Elangovan had her first glimpse into maritime when she took on an undergraduate degree in Offshore Engineering with the Singapore Institute of Technology.  Graduating with a Diploma in Material Science, entering maritime was not initially in her plans. Yet she decided to take the plunge and has not looked back since. Interning as a Surveyor with American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has only fuelled her passion for maritime. 

Sureka at the shipyard

Can you describe your internship experience at the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)?

ABS is a maritime classification society, and I was part of the surveying department and carried out surveying duties with the team. It was a rather hands-on experience as I was primarily at the shipyard instead of the office. I have been involved in several projects, namely Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Conversion, and commissioning of offshore projects such as SHELL VITO and SHELL WHALE. 

The internship was eye-opening as I was not attached to a single surveyor but the whole team and the fact that they were handling different projects gave me the privilege of boarding many vessels. My learning experience was much broader and more diverse. The internship was unique and deepened my understanding of maritime. 

 

Vacuum testing to check on welding integrity

Many undergraduates tend to embark on internship journeys in their final year. Why did you choose to do an internship as a freshman?

I was not required to do an internship in my first year, but I wanted to meaningfully use my four-month long summer break. Interning as a freshman has given me a step ahead of my peers and perform better in school because I am able to link theory taught in school with the inspections that I performed and saw first-hand. Moreover, I wanted the exposure. 

As I did not have prior knowledge on maritime, interning with ABS helped in furthering my understanding of the industry where I was able to board a vessel and experience being in the shipyard for the first time.

What would you say was the best part of your internship?

It was an honour and privilege to have worked alongside U.S. Coast Guard (USGC) Senior Marine Inspector, Chief Warrant Officer Michael Smith. This was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. He was the only USCG Marine Inspector brought to Singapore to oversee two Offshore New Construction projects at the yard and my internship coincided with his stay.  Being an expert in the field, he has a wealth of experience and worked closely with ABS surveyors. Through this period, I was able to attain interesting and valuable learnings from him. 

Sureka with the ABS team

Did you face any challenges and how did you overcome them?

It is a physically demanding role and being the only female, I initially struggled to keep up. For example, there was a project where I had to scale great heights to conduct inspections. 

While challenging, this did not deter me, and I knew that I would get accustomed to it. Even though it may seem like a male-dominated industry now, you have to be fearless. I believe that women should not be intimidated as your gender will not make a difference. The team that I worked with took care and looked out for me, making sure that I was making full use of my time there. I learnt something new every day. 

Do you think that it is important for undergraduates to go for internships?

Yes. Internships give you the space to discover and experience in your field of interest, providing you with real insight into what could be your future. It helps boost your confidence, build networks and develop your professional aptitude. When I was doing my internship, my peers often inquired on the details of my internship and how I landed the opportunity. They understand the importance of internships but some struggle with landing the role. 

Over the years, has there been a change in marine claims trends?

The claims environment ebbs and flows with trade patterns and demand, global events such as the pandemic and the global economic outlook. 

Surveying a tugboat

In that case, do you have any advice for undergraduates on how to make themselves stand out when applying for internships?

I think that they must show interest in the role as well as the maritime industry. Undergraduates should exhibit a willingness to learn despite the challenges that they encounter. You have to possess a can-do attitude. It is also important to apply for roles that you are keen on building a career in. 

Curious about maritime but do not quite know how to get your foot in? Maritime is always on the lookout for newcomers, regardless of your background and the MaritimeONE internships is the ideal gateway into the industry. Who knows, just like Sureka, you may find your calling here. 

Apply for the MaritimeONE scholarships today: https://www.maritimesgconnect.com/maritimeone-internship

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Mr. Lars Kastrup is the Chief Executive Officer of Pacific International Lines (Pte) Ltd (PIL).

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Mr. Cyril Ducau

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