Shawntel Agujar, 2nd Officer Trainee – Philippines

As a 2nd officer trainee, my job is to lay out the routes so that the ship can navigate safely from point A to point B. The Navigating Officer, as I may say.

My favorite part of my job is I love the challenges that my job entails. I love being present and seeing the maritime industry change its perspective and priorities especially with regards to gender equality. I love being empowered and empowering others in the process.

The need to constantly prove myself is a burden that I always carry. But I always tell myself that I have nothing to prove and that I deserve to be where I am today because I am a strong and capable woman.

I have been and will always be advocating towards a better work-life balance for women seafarers. So that we can balance being the women of our homes and have a career at sea as well.

My advice to other female seafarers is: a career at sea may seem impossible. But if you take a step closer, it’s not as impossible as it seems. Especially now that the industry has acknowledged and embraced our presence. Let’s make the most out of it.

Shawntel Agujar, 2nd Officer Trainee – Philippines