[Careers for Kings Pointers]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

CAREERS
FOR
KINGS POINTERS
AN ARTICLE DESCRIBING CAREER POSSIBILITIES
FOR GRADUATES OF THE UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE CADET CORPS AND ITS ACADEMY
AT KINGS POINT*
• • •
A reprint from polaris
Publication of the U. S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps
U. S. MARITIME COMMISSION TRAINING DIVISION Washington 25, D. C.
/ ••
K/b-
Careers for Kings Pointers
by CADET-MIDSHIPMAN JAMES J. BAMBRICK, JR.
Who Is Interested in the Subject?
The above question is of interest to four main groups: (1) Cadet-Midshipmen; (2) Kings Point graduates;. (3) Governmental agencies, such as the Bureau of the Budget, the United States Congress, the United States Maritime Commission, the Navy, the Department of State, and the Department of Commerce; and (4) the Merchant Marine.
WHY THE INTEREST?
The reasons why these groups are interested in the subject of careers for graduates are as follows:
1.	Cadet-Midshipmen
The Cadet-Midshipmen presently in the Cadet Corps are interested because they want to see the definite goal for which they are working. The visualization of their goal acts as a spur, driving them toward the fulfillment of their education in the Cadet Corps. Also present is the economic incentive and prestige value of setting out on a recognized career upon graduation.
2.	Graduates
Over seven thousand graduates are interested in the subject because of their natural desire to expand their field of opportunity. Knowledge of the careers open to them will help them to choose among the many opportunities that exist.
3.	Governmental Agencies
The United States Congress is interested in careers for graduates be-
Introduction
Just what careers in the United States Merchant Marine and its allied fields can a KINGS POINT graduate enter? An attempted answer to this question will be the subject matter of a series of articles in “Polaris,” of which this is the first.
cause they recommended and passed the legislation setting up the Cadet Corps, and established the yearly appropriations which are handled by the Bureau of the Budget. Naturally it is their desire that the results of this training be known.
The United States Maritime Commission is interested because it has approved the courses of education, and these courses to a certain extent are predicated upon the careers that graduates can enter.
The United States Navy is interested for excellent reasons. First, they have had over two thousand graduates as officers on active duty with the Navy. Secondly, 93 percent of all graduates and 100 percent of all Cadet-Midshipmen are officers and midshipmen in the Merchant Marine Reserve, United States Naval Reserve, and, like all other reservists, are subject to active duty during a national emergency. The Navy knows that an adequate Merchant Marine with highly trained reserve officers in key billets and an adequate Navy with the same type of officers are necessary if we are to maintain our status as a leading sea power.
4.	The Merchant Marine
The Merchant Marine is interested in attractive careers for graduates because they make up a fair size percentage of the new, intensely trained young Americans who entered the service during the past 5 years. It is, therefore, interested in the type of education received by graduates. It is also interested as to how this training fits graduates for billets aboard ship and ashore. Another reason why the Merchant Marine is interested is that, because of the specialized education received by Cadet-Midshipmen, a few decades from now they will occupy a considerable number of the responsible positions in the shoreside operation of merchant fleets.
The Mission and Objective of the Cadet Corps
The specific mission of the United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps is stated officially as follows:
“The mission of the United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps and its Academy is to attract to the United States Merchant Marine a high type of young American with a definite ambition to become an officer in this service; to impart to him the necessary academic background, and the fundamentals of a practical nautical education essential to a successful career at sea; to develop in him a high sense of honor, uprightness, and loyalty; to instill in him a pride in his profession, and a determination to uphold the traditions of the Merchant Marine; and, by effective
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teaching, training and guidance, to send him forth to his calling with a deep respect and affection for the United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps and its Academy.”
To this might be added the following broad objectives of a Merchant Marine officers’ education outlined by Commodore R. R. McNulty, USNR, back in 1931, 7 years prior to the establishment of the United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps.
1.	The Merchant Marine officer’s career is a profession and must be looked upon as such. Therefore, training for the sea must be conducted on a professional level.
2.	Continual effort must be exercised by the Government and the shipping industry to raise the professional character of the merchant officer, and sufficient rewards must be attainable in shoreside, operational, and Naval Reserve aspects of the profession if the best youth of this country are to be attracted to the merchant service. These rewards cannot be limited by command at sea. The new merchant officer must be trained so that he may enter naturally the executive and administrative positions which are available in shipping offices, Government departments and the Foreign Service of our country.
Success in a Chosen Career
Success in a chosen career is the fitting of a person’s natural abilities to the opportunities that exist within certain fields for careers. The Kings Point graduate is lucky in that he has, as a result of education and training, been presented with many new and interesting opportunities for careers, some of which are readily apparent, while others are seen only as a result of close study.
In most cases Cadet-Midshipmen entered the Cadet Corps with a good
idea of just what career they desired. However, because of the pressure of the war, some Cadet-Midshipmen entered with no clear concept of the field of opportunity that was opening its doors to them. There is no sense in a man throwing over 2 or 4 years of specialized education, training, and experience, not at least without first closely examining the many opportunities for careers that accrue to him as a result of such education, training, and experience. It is the purpose of these articles to point out the fields of opportunity for which graduates may be eligible.
Among the fields of opportunities
that will be dealt with in succeeding articles are billets as ships’ officers, ashore in marine and operating departments and in other positions with shipping companies. Succeeding articles will deal with the opportunities that exist for graduates to secure positions as foreign representatives of the United States Government or of private firms. Also to be covered are the fields related to the Merchant Marine that offer careers to Cadet Corps graduates, such as admiralty law, marine insurance, cargo surveying, foreign freight forwarding, Hydrographic Office work, and many others.
Careers in the Merchant Marine and Allied Fields
The following are the classifications of careers in the Merchant Marine and allied fields that Kings Point graduates can enter:
1.	Ships’ Officers.
2.	. Port operations jobs in shipping company offices.
3.	Positions in shipping company offices that require a knowledge of shipping plus specialized knowledge.
4.	Foreign representatives of a variety of Government agencies.
5.	Shipping Agents.
6.	Affiliated activities.
Careers as Ships’ Officers
The primary purpose of the United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps is to turn out ships’ officers. The training as either a Mate or an Engineer aboard ship is necessary and desirable for the careers outlined in this article.
The minimum time requirements for licensed ships’ officers are as follows:
(a)	Third Mate or Third Assistant Engineer.—Time requirement— Graduation from the United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps.
(¿) Second Mate or Second Assistant Engineer.1—Time requirements—Either (1) graduation from the United States Naval and Coast Guard Academies; or (2) a Third’s license plus a minimum of 1 year’s peacetime service or 6 months’ “emergency”2 service on articles as a Third Mate or Third Assistant Engineer on ocean or coastwise vessels, plus passing the license examination.
(c)	First Mate or First Assistant Engineer?—Time requirements—(1)
1 United States Coast Guard, Rules and Regulations for Licensing and Certificating of Merchant Marine Personnel, Washington, D. C., February, 1945. 62.38, 62.48, 155.4, 155.8.
2 U. S. C. G., op. cit., 155.1. “The term ‘emergency’ means the Unlimited National Emergency proclaimed by the President on 27 May 1941.
2 Ibid. 62.37, 62.52, 155.3, 155.7.
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At least 1 year in peacetime or 6 months during the “emergency” on articles on Second’s license, or (2) 2 years’ service in peacetime or 1 years’ service in the “emergency” as a Third while holding license as a Second, or (3) for Engineers, 2 years’ peacetime service as Junior Officer of the Watch 4 while holding license as a Second. Other requirements—passing the First’s license examination.
These requirements mean a minimum of 2 to 3 years’ peacetime service or 1 to 2 years’ wartime service for Cadet Corps graduates before achieving a First’s license.
(d)	Master or Chief Engineer.6— Time requirements—(1) At least 1 year in peacetime or 6 months during the “emergency” on articles as First Mate or First Assistant Engineer of ocean or coastwise steam vessels while holding license as a First; or (2) two years’ peacetime service, or 1 year’s “emergency” service as a Second on ocean or coastwise steam vessels while holding license as a First; or (3) for Engineers, 2 years’ peacetime service as Junior First Assistant Engineer while holding license as a First. Other requirements—passing a very difficult examination.
These berths as ships’ officers form the foundation stone for practically all the other careers mentioned in this study. The further a Kings Point graduate advances his license, the greater the selling advantage he has in achieving success in a career in the Merchant Marine and affiliated fields.
SHORE POSITIONS FOR SHIPS’ OFFICERS
The direct promotional shore positions for ships’ officers are as follows:
4 The exact wording is “(h) Two years’ service as Junior Second Assistant Engineer for such vessels.”
s U. S. C. G., op. cit., 62.33, 62.50, 155.2,
155.6.
(a)	Port Captain
The promotional possiblity to a Port Càptaincy depends largely on the type of company in which the graduate is employed. There are comparatively few jobs of Port Captain available. The graduate who starts out with a small shipping line might have a better chance of promotion to Port Captaincy than one employed in a large company. The mathematical chance of securing a Port Captain’s job in a large company is less because there are more ships’ captains competing for the few positions of Port Captain that may arise.
The minimum requirements for Port Captaincy are a Master’s license plus considerable experience at sea as a Master. The Port Captain’s job consists largely of the handling of the personnel problems of the lines’ deck personnel, and especially deck officers. At one time practically all Port Captains did the direct hiring of deck officers. Now, a large number of lines, and especially the larger companies, in line with the tendency towards centralized hiring and personnel records have the function of hiring performed by members of the Personnel Department. However, in such lines final approval for hiring and the actual supervision of deck officer personnel is done by Port Captains.
The Port Captain, in addition to his supervisory work, should be responsible for the proper maintenance of floating equipment and should be able to conduct his own surveys and, where necessary, protect his company’s interests in dealing with outside surveyors.
Also available is the position of Assistant Port Captain. Such positions generally exist in the case of larger lines. The requirements are the same as the qualifications for Port Captains.
(b)	Port Engineer
Licensed Engineers aboard ship can work up to the position of Port Engineer.
As is the case with Port Captains, one of the Port Engineer’s chief duties is the handling of ship’s engine room personnel with especial regard for licensed engineers.
The requirements for this position are experience for a considerable length of time as a Chief Engineer at sea, plus the following: (1) knowledge of the sources of supply, (2) knowledge of the method of ordering ship’s engine room equipment, (3) the ability to prepare specifications, and (4) the ability to supervise repairs.
(c)	Superintending Engineer
The Superintending Engineer, in the lines that have them, is generally the Senior Port Engineer. In large companies, and especially tanker companies such as Standard Oil of New Jersey, he has a great deal to do with the design of ships to be constructed. A Port Engineer’s activities are concerned with the fleet. The Superintending Engineer’s activities, however, are also largely concerned with new construction and radical changes in machinery, hulls, cargo handling equipment, etc.
(d)	Marine Superintendent
A position similar to that of Superintending Engineer is that of Marine Superintendent. In lines that have this position, the Marine Superintendent is almost invariably a licensed man. He is assisted by the Port Captains in charge of each port where the line has permanent installations. He handles the Deck Department end of the operations of all the vessels of the shipping line. However, it is quite possible that a Marine Superintendent may be in charge of both deck and engine department activities.
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(e)	Terminal Superintendent
In the larger steamship companies, there exists a position known as Terminal Superintendent. This position differs from that of Port Captain in that the Port Captain has jurisdiction over only equipment and personnel afloat, while the Terminal Superintendent is in charge of terminal activities.
Requirements for this position are a good knowledge of cargo handling.
(f)	Operating Manager
Another position to which Kings Point graduates may aspire is that of Operating Manager. While, in a number of large companies, this position is filled by other than licensed men, the nature of the duties is such that a licensed Master or Chief Engineer could meet the requirements to better advantage. Generally speaking, the Operating Manager has complete jurisdiction over all phases of operating matters, including deck, engine and terminal activities, and is to him that the Port Captains, Port Engineers and Terminal Superintendents usually report.
Staff Positions in Shipping Companies
The third large field of opportunities for careers for graduates lies in the positions in a shipping company that require specialized knowledge, but in which a knowledge of shipping is either essential or desirable. Examples of these are as follows:
(a) Traffic Department Positions
This is a field of opportunity particularly well suited for deck officers. The Traffic Department may be concerned with either passengers or cargo. In many cases it deals with a combination of both.
For positions in the Traffic Department, experience as a ship’s officer is
Commander Jack M. Windas, USMS, Master of the S. S. San Mateo Victory of the American President Lines. As is the case with a considerable number of Masters sailing their own vessels, he is a United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps graduate. All four of the deck officers and two of the engine officers on the San Mateo Victory are also Cadet Corps graduates. They are as follows: Thomas Wolfe, Chief Mate; Paul Coplin, Second Mate; Hans Finzen, Third Mate; Tag Howland, Jr., Third Mate; William Foley, Third Assistant Engineer; and William I. Toler, Jr., Third Assistant Engineer. The career of ship’s officer offers an interesting, remunerative career. It is a field in which a young man, because of his specialized knowledge, can achieve success and recognition.
extremely valuable. It is obvious that in comparing two traffic men of otherwise equal ability, one of whom had experience as a ship’s officer and the other of whom did not, the man with the ship’s officer background would be by far the more valuable.
As a background for positions in the Freight Traffic Department, experience as a ship’s officer on cargo
vessels is particularly helpful. In addition to such experience, knowledge of (a) trade routes, (b) port facilities, (c) freight rate conference procedure, (d) freight brokerage procedure, and (e) the methods of interchange with common carriers such as railroads and trucks is a prerequisite.
Positions in the Passenger Traffic Department require a knowledge of
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(a)	passenger conference rate procedure, (b) methods of solicitation, either direct or through tourist agencies, and (c) custom and immigration regulations.
(b)	Positions in Personnel Departments of Shipping Lines
The fundamental knowledge required for Personnel Department work is that of personnel administration, principles, and practices. This can be acquired by special schooling plus study of acknowledged texts such as Tead and Metcalf’s “Personnel Administration,” Scott, Clothier, Mathewson and Spriegel’s “Personnel Management,” and Dale Yoder’s “Industrial Relations.”
The types of positions that are open in this field are Personnel Director, Personnel Managers at large ports, Employment Managers, Labor Rela
tions Advisors, and more and more frequently as of late, Vice Presidents in Charge of Industrial Relations.
Actual experience with the problems of ships’ personnel gained as a ship’s officer, either deck or engine, is invaluable in this work.
These are but a few of the departments in a shipping company for which experience gained as a ship’s officer would be helpful. Depending on the experience and background of the individual, other departments and positions will suggest themselves.
Primary Importance of the Job
The operational and staff positions just described are primarily functions in a steamship company. The name given a function is really of little importance. Of primary importance is the job performed. While many
steamship companies use the nomenclature used herein, a specific company may not, and for that matter may not even have all of the positions suggested in this article.
A great deal depends on the size of the steamship company. A small company may combine several of the functions in one man. A large line, on the other hand, may divide the duties of each of the functions among several men and create new job titles for these positions. The job titles may change from company to company, but the functions performed remain the same.
In addition to careers directly connected with shipping companies—either as ships9 officers or in shore-based positions— which were discussed in the last article, there are numerous careers in the merchant-marine industry and in affiliated activities.
In the present article there will be considered careers as (1) Foreign Representatives of the United States, (2) Shipping Company Representatives, and (3) in fields affiliated with the merchant marine, such as marine insurance, admiralty law, and the U. S. Navy Hydrographic Office.
Left: Lt. Comdr. Eugene Eide, USMS, Chief Engineer of S. S. "Thom-as Nelson Page,” supervising repairs by shore engineering gang aboard his ship. This is one of the Chief Engineer’s duties while in port. He graduated from the Cadet Corps in September 1942. From June 1943 to March 1944> he was an instructor in the Steam Engineering Laboratories at Kings Point. He has been Chief Engineer of his ship, a converted troop carrier, since receiving his license in July 1943.
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Careers as Foreign Representatives of the
United States
The fourth classification of careers for Kings Pointers to be considered is that of foreign representatives for the United States Government. The background of graduates, especially deck officers, qualifies them for such service.
Foreign Service of U. S. Department of State
The Foreign Service of the United States Department of State is one such service that offers a possibility of careers. It is divided into the Diplomatic Service and the Consular Service. By the reorganization act of 1924, all permanent officers in the foreign service below the grade of minister are designated as “Foreign Service Officers.” As such they are subject to promotion on a merit basis and may be assigned to either the diplomatic or consular branch of the Foreign Service. Of the two, the consular service offers the greatest opportunities for careers for Kings Point graduates.
The officers of the consular service are: Consuls General, Consuls, Vice Consuls, interpreters in consular offices, and consular agents. A considerable amount of the consular work in foreign ports has to do with shipping matters.
Entrance into the Foreign Service of the Department of State is by examination. This examination is open to anyone qualified between the ages of 21 and 35, upon designation by the President. Application for such designation should be addressed to the Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
U. S. Department of Commerce
With the end of the war, the United States Department of Commerce,
Russell H. Holm, Marine Estimater, Combustion Engineering Co. He was appointed a Cadet-Midshipman in April 1940, served his seatime in the Navy as a Midshipman aboard the U. S. S. "Hayward” and graduated in June 1942. As is the case with over 1,700 of the Cadet Corps’ 7,500 graduates, he entered active service with the U. S. Navy upon graduation. In the Navy he served as "M” (Main Propulsion) Officer aboard the U. S. S. "Los Angeles, ” advancing to the rank of Lieutenant, USNR. In November 1945, he was released from the Navy and received his Chief Engineer’s license. In his position of Marine Estimator he estimates the cost of marine boilers for merchant and naval ships.
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce offers still another field of foreign service. The work of the latter, Field Service, which is of primary interest, is carried on through district offices scattered throughout the United States and in the more important cities of the world.
, The work of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce consists of the giving of information and advice to American exporters and the collection, publication, and dissemina
tion of various kinds of foreign trade information. A position in this Bureau, besides being a splendid career in and of itself, is an excellent training ground for many of the careers considered in this article.
Positions in the Bureau are filled largely by Civil Service. Special competitive examinations are given. Those interested should write either to the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce or to the United States Civil Service Commission, both of Washington, D. G.
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In connection with careers as foreign representatives of the United States, it might be well for Kings Pointers to look into the McNulty Scholarship given by Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. This scholarship is open to both Cadet-Midshipmen and graduates. Details of this scholarship were contained in the February issue of Polaris.
Careers as Shipping Company Representatives
Kings Point graduates, after experience as ships’ officers, have positions as shipping company representatives open to them. These jobs may be either in domestic ports or foreign ports. Requirements are a considerable knowledge of handling ships in ports, stevedoring, crew matters, rates of exchange, and traffic considerations such as understanding the seasonal movement of passengers and cargoes.
Up to the beginning of World War II, most representatives of American lines in foreign ports were nationals of other countries. Under such arrangements, all things being equal, American lines will lose out. Most American lines have experienced the inherent weaknesses of the use of foreign nationals to represent them, and, therefore, it is to be expected that in the future they will make every effort to secure Americans to represent them in foreign ports.
Careers in Affiliated Fields
In the fields affiliated the with merchant marine the Kings Point graduate has wide scope for his abilities. The affiliated fields into which a graduate might do well to inquire are as follows:
(a)	Admiralty Law
The requirements to practice Admiralty Law differ from State to
State. It is necessary that the person practicing Admiralty Law be a lawyer recognized by the bar of the Federal Courts before which the person is to practice. The requirements to practice before the Federal Courts differ with the State; for example, the following are the requirements of two States:
New Jersey requirements are (1) a minimum of 2 years of college, (2) plus law school, (3) plus 12 months’clerkship, and (4) examination for admission as attorney. At the time of admission to the State bar, the attorney is also eligible for admission and practice in the United States District Court which has original jurisdiction over admiralty cases.
The Massachusetts State requirements to practice in the United States District Court which handles admiralty cases are (1) a college degree, (2) graduation from law school, and (3) successful completion of the State bar examination.
Information concerning the requirements to practice law can be secured from the law schools and the bar associations of the different states.
(b)	Marine Insurance
For the purposes of this aticle only three phases of marine insur-
Murray E. Morse, Jr., Field Editor of the nautical magazine, The Log, is a graduate who has combined his merchant marine education and training with his writing ability. He graduated from the U. S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps on 29 November 1943. He was Chief Mate aboard the S. S. "Fred Herrling”from February 1943 to November 1943. His writing experience consists of reporting for the Station Island Advance, radio script and short story writing, and while in the Cadet Corps writing as a member of the Polaris staff.
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ance will be considered. They are (1) underwriting, (2) surveying, and (3) loss adjusting.
1.	Underwriting
Underwriting is one of the most lucrative phases of marine insurance. The Underwriter is the man who accepts or declines the risk submitted to the insurance company. He is the man who decides the terms of the insurance contract. Marine insurance policies do not have a standard form as, for instance, fire insurance policies. For that reasqn they are complicated.
The Underwriter not only accepts or rejects the policy, but also decides how much to charge. The Underwriter’s job requires that he have some knowledge of everything connected with insurance and shipping. He has a huge responsibility. The more he knows about all types of cargo, ships, weather conditions, freight rates, trade regulations, governmental regulations, and every phase of shipping, the better able is he to carry out his job. These requirements can only be achieved by experience and a thorough study of the marine insurance field as a whole.
2.	Surveying
For marine insurance surveying a Master’s license is almost a must requirement.
The Surveyor must first set values on cargoes and vessels. In case of damage he must estimate damage to both the vessel and the cargo which come under the insurance policy. His job is to protect the Underwriter’s interest in so far as repairs are concerned, and generally to aid the Underwriter as to the handling of the ships’ cargo.
The Surveyor’s job consists mostly of outside work with very little routine supervision. For the graduate who is interested in shore
work and yet does not want desk routine, this job is a good one on which to set his sights. However, as can easily be seen, the requirements are difficult.
The Surveyor does not have to know a great deal about insurance. His job is to act as impartially as he can in determining the extent of the damage and the probable causes.
3.	Loss Adjustors
The Loss Adjustor must interpret the policy to decide whether or not the loss described comes within the scope of the policy to be paid by the insurance company. Then it is his job to see that the insured is compensated without any excessive payment by the company. It is his job to keep the losses at a minimum,
Also in the field of loss adjustment is the position of General Average Adjustor. He is a specialist who deals in the technicalities of General Average Adjusting, which is the sharing of voluntary losses of cargo at sea which are incurred for the benefit of all shippers of cargoes.
For further information on the marine insurance field read Winter’s book on “Marine Insurance.” It would also be advisable to speak to persons who are directly employed in the marine insurance field.
(c)	Civil Service
The U. S. Civil Service has open from time to time jobs particularly well suited for Kings Pointers.
For deck graduates such civil service jobs include nautical scientists in the Hydrographic Office of the U. S. Navy, the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey and the U. S. Coast Guard.
Another government job that should offer opportunity to graduates is that of inspector of ships, both from the aspects of engines, and navigational and safety equipment. Before the war this work was done by the
Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation of the Department of Commerce. As a wartime measure this work was taken over by the U.S. Coast Guard, but measures are now underway to transfer these functions to the Maritime Commission. The titles of these jobs are assistant directors, traveling inspectors, hull inspectors, boiler inspectors, and examiners of the Merchant Marine Inspection Service.
A graduate by sending a list of his qualifications and the type of work he desires to the United States Civil Service Commission, Washington, D. C., will receive notice of all civil service jobs and their requirements for which he might be qualified.
(d)	Position in the Export and Import Service of United States Manufacturers
The education given at Kings Point, plus the experience gained handling various cargoes on ships, should go a long way in fitting a graduate for positions in the export and import services of American manufacturing companies. Examples of such positions are Export Managers and positions in the Export Departments, Import Managers and positions in the Import Department, resident buyers abroad, Managers of foreign branches, and local agents in foreign countries.
Because of the large number of manufacturers that intend to reenter or enter foreign markets during the postwar period, this field offers great opportunities, particularly as to remuneration. However, care should be exercised in selecting an employer. Select a firm whose product has foreign possibilities and who has the wherewithal to enter the foreign trade field. Examples of such firms are the automobile manufacturers, manufacturers of electrical equipment, office machines, and other standardized machine-made products.
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Further examination of the opportunities that exist in this field can be made by reading standard texts such as Horn’s “International Trade, Principles and Practices.”
(e)	Positions as Export or Import Commission Brokers
These positions are largely those of supplying the services ordinarily performed by Export or Import Departments. These services are made available to manufacturers that do not have sufficient oversea’s trade to maintain such departments in their organization. Examples of such positions are combination export or import agents, manufacturers’ agents, and export or import commission men.
This field of opportunities for careers will depend on the extent that small American manufacturers enter the export or import fields. In this regard it must be kept in mind that previous to World War II this field was contracting due to the fact that many manufacturers were establishing their own export or import departments and not relying on middlemen.
(f)	Positions in Foreign Freight Forwarding and Custom House Brokerage
The fields of foreign freight forwarding and custom house brokerage are rather closely interrelated.
The Freight Forwarder generally acts as the agent for shippers who, because their volume does not warrant it, do not have the means to handle the customs work of their export or import business. The Freight Forwarder will take full charge and handle all the details of the transaction from the point of origin to the point of ultimate destination. They quote rates to and from interior points at home and abroad, affording an overall complete service to the shipper.
Custom House Brokers specialize in
the handling of customs details for steamship companies, shippers and consignees, dealing with appraisers, arranging for the payment of duties and the entry and clearance of shipments. A deck officer, who has had considerable experience in entering and clearing his ship through customs, has a good background for this field of opportunity.
(g)	Positions in Auxiliary Export-Import Enterprises
Examples of work in auxiliary export-import enterprises are positions in the foreign departments of railroads, express companies, banks, tourists agencies, periodicals, American Chambers of Commerce abroad, and international radio and cable companies.
(h)	Positions in Ships9 Servicing
A wide field of many opportunities exists for Kings Point graduates in ship servicing. These shore based positions in general require an intimate knowledge of ship’s methods. The following are but a few of the possibilities:
1.	Boiler cleaning companies.
2.	Boiler and Auxiliary manufacturing companies.
3.	Engine repair companies.
4.	Marine departments of oil companies.
5.	Turbine manufacturing companies.
6.	Shipbuilding and ship repair yards.
7.	Ship chandlery companies.
8.	Nautical instrument companies and those specializing in instrument adjustment and servicing.
9.	Tank cleaning companies.
10.	Stevedoring companies.
(i)	Chartering Brokers
A field closely allied to the merchant marine, which Kings Point graduates with experience as Mates
aboard cargo ships may enter, is that of chartering brokerage.
Chartering Brokers deal primarily in full cargo business. They obtain cargoes. In some cases they engage as intermediaries for the sale and purchase of vessels. In this capacity they are known as ship brokers. As compensation they receive an agreed percentage of the gross revenue accruing to the shipowner in the case of cargo charter. In the case of the sale of vessels they receive a percentage of the total sale price, this amount generally being paid by the seller.
In addition to knowledge of how cargo should be handled, they have to have a general knowledge, of the trends in world markets for all commodities and, if specialists, for the commodities in which they specialize. It is a fairly well-paying but highly specialized field.
(j)	Naval Architectural Engineers and Advisors
For graduates with a desire to do drafting or naval engineering work, it would be well to look into the possibility of securing a position with a naval architectural firm. There lie two possibilities in this field. One is in straight drafting and naval engineering work. The other, for graduates with a great deal of practical experience, is as an advisor to such firms in the practical operational problems in the design of merchant and passenger ships.
(k)	Positions With the U. S. Maritime Commission
The United States Maritime Commission has need for men with specialized training such as is received at Kings Point. Among the positions that may be open from time to time are port directors, surveyors, naval architects, operating specialists, assistants to commissioners, marine
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superintendents, superintendent ’ engineers, district managers, nautical experts and inspectors.
Kings Point graduates interested in the field of education would do well to look into the opportunities that exist in the United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps. Positions that may exist here are instructors at the Academy and Cadet Schools, district supervisors, and assistant supervisors of cadet training, commanding officers, executive officers and battalion officers.
Also available for graduates interested in education are careers as instructors, chief engineers, executive officers, commandants, and commanding officers of State Maritime Academies and nautical and naval preparatory schools.
(1)	Careers as Pilots
Another career possibility for deck graduates is that of pilots for the Panama and other canals, and pilots for coasts, bays, rivers and harbors.
This study is not intended to be an all inclusive listing of careers for Kings Point graduates in the Merchant Marine and affiliated fields. It is rather intended to be the starting point of further individual thinking on the subject. A graduate must first analyze his own particular background, schooling, abilities, previous plans, and perhaps long repressed desires in the light of the new knowledge and opportunities opened to him by his Cadet Corps education. Only then can he, with any degree of certainty, settle on the career that will give full scope to his latent abilities and bring the happiness that is
the concomitant of successful accomplishment.
Careers in the Naval Service
Of the 7,500 graduates of the United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps over 1,700 have entered active duty with the United States Navy. Of these, over 60 are of the rank of Lieutenant Commander or higher. Since V-J day and its attendant demobilization, the Navy has not been accepting graduates for active duty.
All Cadet-Midshipmen and practically all graduates are in the United States Naval Reserve. As such, they are subject to call to active duty at any time their country needs them. While in the Merchant Marine Reserve, United States Naval Reserve, they can advance their grade. At the present time the Navy Department is rewriting the requirements for such advancement while on inactive duty. It would be well for all Kings Pointers to become acquainted with these new requirements as soon as they are published.
The officers of the Merchant Marine Reserve, United States Naval Reserve, rendered signal service to their country during the war. In whatever national emergencies that may be in store for America they will again render the same high type of service to their country, and Kings Pointers will again be in the forefront.
Importance of Maintaining Contacts
On the importance of maintaining contacts, which is the last subject to
be considered, it is difficult to say too much.
For the Kings Pointer the first and most important contact to maintain is that of his own fellow Cadet Corps graduates. This can best be done through the United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps Alumni Association. In addition to the good fellowship with one’s own classmates enjoyed thereby, there are, from a career standpoint, two other desirable advantages.
The first of these career advantages is that the graduate is readily available for whatever opportunities that may come his way through his Kings Point education. For example, a Cadet Corps graduate, in a responsible position, seeking needed assistance, will naturally look to the men of specialized education, training and ability with whom he comes in contact in the Alumni Association to fill the vacant posts.
The second advantage is that the graduate, through the Alumni Association, is in constant contact with the types of careers other graduates have entered. The graduate is thereby unconsciously supplied with an ever growing check list of new and interesting careers that offer possibilities for Cadet Corps graduates. To give an example of what is meant, considerable of the material for this article was based on observations of the careers that Cadet Corps graduates have already entered.
The United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps and its Academy at Kings Point opens the door to a world of opportunity and accomplishment to young men of ability.
U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1947
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