Ms. LISELLE ESPINOZA is a graduate of two programmes within The University of Trinidad and Tobago’s (UTT) Centre for Maritime and Ocean Studies (CMOS). She has since entered the maritime industry, and has this to say about her time at UTT:

Give us a brief history of your academic and professional background.

I completed UTT’s Diploma in Maritime Operations - Navigation in 2015 and started the Professional Officer of the Watch programme which consisted of the necessary Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) short courses, sea time and completion of a Training Record Book. All  needed to sit the Professional Officer of the Watch Navigation examinations conducted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

In 2016, I joined my first ship as a deck cadet with Delta Logistics Limited, which made me the first female deck cadet onboard for the organisation. I fulfilled my sea time requirement and also completed the necessary STCW short courses and exams, allowing me to obtain an Officer of the Watch Certificate of Competency in 2019. In 2022, the opportunity to fulfill one of my goals of working on a cruise ship was realized when I was hired as a Second Officer with Royal Caribbean Group, onboard one of the largest cruise ships in the world, the MV Symphony of the Seas.

What influenced your decision to pursue this programme at UTT?

I have family members involved in the maritime industry but it was one person in particular, a Marine Pilot with the Trinidad and Tobago Pilots Association, that sparked my interest in the maritime field. After doing the relevant research into the career and looking at the different options available, UTT was the most attractive option as it provided an internationally accredited programme while allowing me to study locally.

How has being a graduate of UTT assisted your overall professional experience and development?

Attending UTT enabled me to obtain a UK Certificate of Competency which in turn allows me to work anywhere in the world, expanding the options available for growth as an officer, and to advance in my career.

What words of advice do you have for those wishing to pursue this line of study at UTT?

My advice to anyone wishing to pursue this line of study is to ensure that relevant research is done on what this career entails. UTT will provide all the necessary resources for you to succeed, once you apply yourself. From simulator to practical training to cadetship placement, UTT makes a great option.