Why Family is Every Cadet’s Anchor at Sea
If you’ve ever wondered how you might get your family onboard with pursuing a career in maritime, read on as we recently caught up with 3 of the TNTA (Tripartite Nautical Training Award) programme’s top performing cadets and their families.
Although some were initially met with stern resistance, their stories exemplify how embarking on a new career voyage was only possible through the clear communication of their desires with their loved ones. And while family may have seemed like a roadblock at first, they actually turned out to be the anchor that has got them through the tough times at sea!
Muhammad Zul, 23
Initially studying hospitality and tourism management at Nanyang Polytechnic, it was actually learning about maritime – an industry that he had zero previous experience in – at an NS career fair that caught Zul’s eye. Missing the opening for the Special Limits course, he followed his gut and eventually got into the TNTA programme.
While this may have seemed like a cause for celebration, his family was not enthused. Finding out on the day of enrolment, his mother nearly broke down – she thought that a career on the high seas would mean that her youngest child and only son would be going away forever. Thankfully, career veterans such as Mr Lim Tau Kok stepped in to share their experiences, so much so that Zul’s father came to a point of acceptance saying, “if you like this course, we’ll support you!”
Diving into an industry that “had nothing to do with what he had previously learned,” wasn’t easy though. Zul had to study hard to master all the brand new nautical knowledge and lingo. However, he was fortunate to have parents who supported him throughout all the late nights and an encouraging maritime community to steer him in the right direction.
With the help of the lecturers and classmates, I have achieved something for me to be proud of,” grinned Zul.
Muhammad Zul, 23
Initially studying hospitality and tourism management at Nanyang Polytechnic, it was actually learning about maritime – an industry that he had zero previous experience in – at an NS career fair that caught Zul’s eye. Missing the opening for the Special Limits course, he followed his gut and eventually got into the TNTA programme.
While this may have seemed like a cause for celebration, his family was not enthused. Finding out on the day of enrolment, his mother nearly broke down – she thought that a career on the high seas would mean that her youngest child and only son would be going away forever. Thankfully, career veterans such as Mr Lim Tau Kok stepped in to share their experiences, so much so that Zul’s father came to a point of acceptance saying, “if you like this course, we’ll support you!”
Diving into an industry that “had nothing to do with what he had previously learned,” wasn’t easy though. Zul had to study hard to master all the brand new nautical knowledge and lingo. However, he was fortunate to have parents who supported him throughout all the late nights and an encouraging maritime community to steer him in the right direction.
With the help of the lecturers and classmates, I have achieved something for me to be proud of,” grinned Zul.
Hidrir bin Abdul Hamid, 29
Prior to joining TNTA cohort number 15, Hidrir had lived a lifetime of job-hopping. From pursuing a career in the diving industry to working in gyms, it just seemed that he couldn’t find his true calling. That is until his curiosity was set off by a friend posting a picture of himself onboard a ship on Facebook.
He enrolled and graduated from a special limits course, before moving onto the TNTA programme. Having seen Hidrir’s wayward ways in the past, his family was very supportive of his decision. “He likes to travel a lot actually, so I thought it’d be better if he becomes a seafarer,” said his father, a former sailor himself, while his mother was particularly delighted,
I know my son is very brave. I just encourage him to go go go!”
Studying in the TNTA programme not only gave Hidrir a career to settle on, but it inspired a noticeable personal transformation. His brother noted that he seemed “more focused” and “responsible” these days, even towards his family, while his mother added that he has “totally changed” and would, if given the chance, go onboard with him too. “I hope that he will really see this through to the end,” said his brother.
“I hope that he can really make this a career, at least for some period of time, and settle down.”
Wei Hao, 25
Graduating from mechanical technology at ITE Central while working as a barista, Wei Hao was inspired to pursue a career in maritime because he wanted to see and work with people from all around the world.
Wei Hao’s parents were initially apprehensive of his choice of career. Although both his brother and uncle worked in the maritime industry and often shared stories from the sea, those did nothing to qualm his parents’ worries. “I was very against it at the beginning,” revealed his mother. “Being at sea for half a year each time would mean that it’d be a very long time till we’d get to see him again. If he were to work onshore, at least we can still see him for dinner every day.”
However, as parents, they knew that they couldn’t stop their son from treading his own path.
We had to support him,” said his mother.
“He was really interested and insistent, so we had no choice as parents but to support him.”
Backing their son turned out to be the best decision they had made as they have seen positive changes in him while undergoing the TNTA programme. “He’s more mature and thinks better now,” said his father, while his mother commended him for starting to think about his career and finances in the long-term.
This change may have come as a surprise. But to each cadets, the TMTA lecturers are the main reason for their change! Each of the cadets praised them for their depth of experience and openness to bring newbies under their wing.
Anyone can read a textbook, but what’s different here is that they actually teach you how to be a good, responsible and safe officer,” said Zul, while the group resounded that Captain Menon is one of “the best” and “the Godfather of everyone.”
Opening up about their career aspirations may not have been easy, but it brought these 3 cadets more than they could have imagined. Not only did the TNTA programme win over their families, it also created a bond so strong like a second family which will foster their growth in the many years to come.
