// CHARTING THEIR OWN COURSE
all equally skilled , and that is OK . You do not have to be perfect . Making mistakes is the best way to learn .” Additionally , she wants to reassure other women that “ it doesn ’ t have to be intimidating to work in a primarily male-dominated career when you work for or with the right company and coworkers .”
The Instructor
Athena Vieira IYRS School of Technology and Trades ( Newport , RI ) Like many technicians , Athena Vieira has been engaged with the marine industry since high school , involved in educational programs for children and adults , teaching sailing and woodenboat restoration . She holds degrees in Marine Affairs and Political Science from the University of Rhode Island , where learning about the impacts of coastal hazards from shipyards pushed her to find a path as a marine engineer . She is newly graduated from the Marine Systems program at IYRS School of Technology and Trades ― although her passion doesn ’ t end there .
Athena now spends much of her time on the water as an Apprentice at 59 ° North Sailing , assisting adults with developing skills in offshore sailing , and is looking forward to focusing further on education and training newer members of the marine industry . “ My overarching goal is to educate both children and adults on marine engineering and help others work toward earning their licensing . I hope to make strides in developing curriculums that allow students to become more hands-on in marine systems at an earlier age .”
Athena Vieira
To women entering the marine industry , she strongly advises to take initiative in their learning . Seeking out a positive learning environment , she says , “ will not only develop your skills but build confidence in yourself .” The enthusiasm of the students she encounters constantly inspires her to find creative ways to present the complex topics of marine systems .
The Small-Business Owners
Jennifer King and Monica Reiss Skagit Valley College Jennifer King and Monica Reiss are co-owners of K & R Marine ( based in North Puget Sound ), specializing in marine electrical / electronics installations and repairs on recreational vessels . Both are graduates of and instructors at Skagit Valley College , and are celebrated ABYC Certified Technicians ( Marine Service Technician Week 2022 ). Though they ’ re in similar places now , the paths they took to get to their current employment differ .
As a Midwest kid , Monica did not have a lot of contact with the marine industry growing up , but found herself studying Marine Geology and Oceanography as a young adult . She spent six weeks on a tall ship through the SEA Semester training program , became a volunteer deckhand for an additional four and a half months , and was totally hooked . After a few more career stops , Monica found Marine Maintenance Technology at Skagit Valley College .
Jennifer , on the other hand , grew up on the ocean , and always longed to be a marine biologist . After graduating with a degree in Marine Biology from California State University , Long Beach , she spent time in various capacities working with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ). Realizing the time away from home wasn ’ t for her , she began looking into other career options in the marine industry , and landed in Skagit ’ s Marine Maintenance Technology program as well .
To the K & R Marine founders , marine service technology programs really assist in learning some of the best industry practices in a controlled environment . While the hands-on skills are definitely reinforced on the job , they learned ( and now teach ) boating-safety practices in the classroom . Regardless , they value the real-world application that comes from MST programs . “ One
Jennifer King
Monica Reiss
of my favorite parts as an instructor and business owner ,” says Jennifer , “ is seeing the students actually start to understand how their knowledge applies to a real-life boat project .”
They concede that some of the paperwork aspects of their job aren ’ t always as appealing as the technician work , but they love the freedom owning their own business provides . Monica says that one of their favorite parts of being their own boss is the flexibility . “ When we decided that we didn ’ t want to do any more plumbing work , we simply started referring those customers to other companies . We also have the freedom to refuse jobs that we don ’ t think are a good fit for us or just are not interesting .”
The schools listed are all ABYC Foundation Marine Trade Accredited Schools ( MTAP ).
28 june 2024 www . boatingindustry . com