What can you do with a Marine Transportation degree?

First, some facts. Of the Marine Transportation graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 57 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 87%, Marine Transportation graduates have a much higher likelihood (+20%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 87%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 10% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Marine Transportation graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Marine Transportation graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2011 from State University of New York Maritime College with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Marine Transportation. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Safety and Vetting Coordinator
Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc
Mar 2012 - Aug 2012
As a Safety and Vetting Coordinator, the position directly utilizes safety management principles and regulations relevant to marine operations, which are integral to the Marine Transportation degree.

Health, Safety, Security and Environmental Coordinator
Gallatin Marine Management LLC
Nov 2012 - Jun 2013
The role of Health, Safety, Security and Environmental Coordinator requires extensive knowledge of marine safety protocols and environmental regulations, aligning directly with the skill set obtained in Marine Transportation.

Second Mate Unlimited/DPO
Gallatin Marine
Jun 2013 - Jan 2015
As a Second Mate Unlimited/DPO, the position involves direct navigation and operational responsibilities which are core components of Marine Transportation, utilizing skills learned during the degree.

Mate
Cross Sound Ferry
Mar 2016 - Mar 2017
The Mate position at Cross Sound Ferry is directly related to marine operations and responsibilities that require knowledge and skills derived from the Marine Transportation degree.

Second Mate/DPO
HORNBECK OFFSHORE
Mar 2017 - Present
As a Second Mate/DPO at HORNBECK OFFSHORE, the job directly implements navigation and vessel operation skills that are foundational to Marine Transportation, making it highly relevant.

Chief Mate/ DPO
HORNBECK OFFSHORE
Mar 2021 - Present
The Chief Mate/DPO role at HORNBECK OFFSHORE necessitates advanced maritime knowledge and leadership skills directly learned through the Marine Transportation curriculum, indicating strong relevance.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Marine Transportation degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the career paths of individuals who graduated with a degree in Marine Transportation, it’s clear that many have secured positions that are directly related to their field of study. The most common job titles among these graduates include Third Mate, Second Mate, and various positions associated with crew roles on maritime vessels like Deckhand and Chief Mate. A majority of these positions involve hands-on navigation, operations, and management of maritime activities, which are critical aspects of the Marine Transportation curriculum. Notably, roles like Third Mate and Second Mate are especially prevalent, indicating a strong trajectory towards advancement in maritime careers as these positions are foundational for higher roles in maritime operations and management.

Most of the jobs analyzed are indeed relevant to Marine Transportation. For instance, positions like Deckhand and Able Bodied Seaman, while they may start at the entry level, provide essential on-the-job training and experience directly applicable to what was taught during their academic training. Additionally, jobs such as Chief Mate and Captain reflect a progression towards leadership roles where graduates utilize their comprehensive maritime knowledge and skills. However, some individuals have taken roles that venture outside of traditional maritime operations, such as positions in maritime sales or operations management, which may not fully leverage their specialized training in Marine Transportation. Overall, despite these few exceptions, the vast majority of the positions indicated a strong correlation with their academic foundation, reinforcing the practical applicability of a Marine Transportation degree in various maritime contexts.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Marine Transportation graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Marine Transportation graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Marine Transportation, it’s pretty clear that many of them hit the ground running with solid jobs straight out of college. For instance, a lot of recent graduates started out as deckhands or third mates right after turning their tassels, like students from the State University of New York Maritime College who became deckhands or third officers in marine services and shipping. These initial roles, often hands-on and practical, seem to set a strong foundation in the marine industry. It’s encouraging to see that quite a few of them quickly moved up the ranks to more responsible positions, such as second mate or even captain, within just a few years of starting their first jobs. This suggests that the industry values experience and offers ample opportunities for advancement for those who are driven and hardworking.

However, while many graduates do seem to land roles that are relevant to Marine Transportation initially, the picture is a bit mixed when looking at their paths over, say, five to ten years. Although some graduates continue progressing in maritime roles and take on significant positions (like chief mates or even captains), others shift gears entirely or end up in jobs that don’t seem to closely relate to their field of study. For instance, you’ll find a few graduates who moved into roles like sales or project management, which might indicate a detour from the marine path. There are also a handful of people who faced challenges in securing marine roles and had to pivot to different industries, sometimes starting with unconventional jobs unrelated to transportation. This variability suggests that while there are strong career paths for many in Marine Transportation, not everyone finds their niche and some may face hurdles in job stability or directly relevant career growth over the years.

Overall, it’s clear that a degree in Marine Transportation can pave the way for solid career opportunities in the maritime industry, especially in the early years post-graduation. However, the trajectories can vary widely after that, with some graduates enjoying fruitful, progressive careers while others might struggle to stay firmly planted in their field. So if you’re considering this degree, it’s important to think about where you want to be in five to ten years and be aware of the options and potential detours that might come your way.

How hard is a Marine Transportation degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor's degree in Marine Transportation can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on what you're into. If you're passionate about maritime studies and enjoy subjects like navigation, marine engineering, and safety, it might not feel as tough because you'll be engaged in what you're learning. However, there’s a fair amount of technical stuff, like understanding complicated systems and regulations, which can get intense. You definitely need to put in the effort and study hard, so while it might not be the hardest degree out there, it's definitely not a walk in the park either! Just be prepared to work for it, and if you keep your motivation up, you'll get through it just fine!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Marine Transportation.

Do Marine Transportation graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the job progression of these Marine Transportation graduates, it seems like many of them have landed some pretty decent roles in the maritime industry, suggesting they've made a fair amount of money. Positions like captain, chief mate, and roles in dynamic positioning typically come with attractive salaries, especially as they climb the ranks. For instance, graduates who started as deckhands and moved to mates or officers have likely seen significant pay increases over time, which is a good indicator of financial stability.

However, not everyone appears to follow this lucrative path. Some graduates have held positions with relatively low ranks for extended periods or have transitions that seem more lateral than upward, which may hint at lower earnings. Factors like geographic location, type of employer, and specific job responsibilities can also impact overall income. So, while many in this field are likely doing well for themselves, there are definitely some who may not be maximizing their earning potential just yet.

What buzzwords do Marine Transportation graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Marine Transportation. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Marine Transportation?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Marine Transportation (ordered by the average relevance score of their Marine Transportation graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Massachusetts Maritime Academy 98 12
State University of New York Maritime College 80 16