Recent Stories
Little Red Boat on the Equator
My career at sea started a few years ago when I was working as a pool deck supervisor on a cruise ship off the coast of Australia. During my time on board, I was inspired by the bridge officers to return to school to study navigation with the goal of one day becoming...
Learning from the Worst Mistake in My Maritime Career
Let's talk about failure. Can you remember a time in your life when you totally, utterly, completely screwed up? I am often asked why I switched from sailing on oil tankers to research vessels. The roundabout answer is that I was unhappy. The simple answer is that I...
Growing Up in a Maritime Family: Lessons and Inspiration
Hello, my name is Coronado. When I introduce my name, I normally hear a multitude of questions, such as, “Wow, that is so unique. Where did it come from?” “What nationality is that?” And, “Okay, but what is your first name?” Typically, most people think that I’m...
Walking for a Cure While Offshore
I work on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico as a camp boss. That sentence usually entices looks full of “Are you kidding me?” This conversation happens mostly when I am in Michigan where I was born and raised (and still live when my hitches are done). Up there, not a...
How You Can Empower Women at Sea
Ways to Empower Women Working at Sea: A Guide for Allies Empower women by maintaining an inclusive environment on your vessel. Today, countries and organizations around the world celebrate World Maritime Day. Under the theme, "Empowering Women in the Maritime...
What to Expect During Your First Time Working Offshore
Are you heading offshore soon for the first time? Below, learn what to expect when you depart for your vessel! Over the course of my offshore career, I have bounced around to almost ten different offshore drilling rigs. Each one became home for a period of time in my...
Featured Sea Stories
CORINNE BENDERSKY – WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WORK IN A MALE DOMINATED WORLD, EPISODE 149
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Corinne Bendersky, a Professor and Area Chair of Management and Organizations who specializes in workplace conflict, status, justice, diversity, and inclusion in teams and organizations. Her research contributes not...
CARI SIMON – TITLE IX ATTORNEY, EPISODE 147
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Cari Simon, who is one of the nation’s leading Title IX attorneys representing survivors of sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and sexual harassment in University and K–12 settings nationwide. She is a...
FAMILY PLANNING AND FERTILITY PRESERVATION WITH DR. BENJAMIN LANNON, EPISODE 143
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Dr. Benjamin Lannon about family planning in the maritime industry and fertility preservation. Dr. Lannon is double board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology/Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He...
IVF JOURNEY WITH KAMI AND ALLY, EPISODE 142
In today’s episode, Ally Cedeno speaks with Kami Bucholz who is a 2008 graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and is an Unlimited Master Mariner. She has worked in research, chemical, petroleum, Ro/Ro, towing, and aerospace vessels in her career. She sits on...
Jenny Johnson – Maritime Inclusion Partners, Episode 139
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Jenny Johnson, who is a certified HR professional with an extensive background in DEI unique to the maritime industry. Jenny has 20+ years of maritime experience, including at sea and ashore. She fiercely advocates...
SAL MERCOGLIANO – THE STORY OF ROBERT SMALLS AND THE PLANTER, EPISODE 138
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Sal Mercogliano, Chair of the Department of History, Criminal Justice, and Political Science at Campbell University. He is also an adjunct professor at US Merchant Marine Academy and a former merchant mariner....
Navigate Your Career
Building Strong Relationships with Mentors Offshore: How to Overcome Conflicts
I have hit roadblocks and stalemates this past year, not just in my career, but in life, each affecting the other immensely. I had reached a point in my personal life where I was asking family and friends all the time to be a sounding board for my maritime queries,...
Organization of Black Maritime Graduates
Get to know an organization making a HUGE impact in the maritime industry, the Organization of Black Maritime Graduates. Founded in 1994, the Organization of Black Maritime Graduates (OBMG) has improved education opportunities for underserved students seeking careers...
2021 Women in Maritime Leadership Conference
March 4-5, 2021, attend Cal Maritime's Women in Maritime Leadership Conference virtually! Now in its tenth year, California Maritime Academy's Women in Maritime Leadership Conference supports the success of women in maritime. The 2021 virtual conference will deliver a...
The Secret to Successful Mentoring in Maritime: Insights from Captain Jessie Shifalo
To reduce the gender gap, Women Offshore connects women seeking mentoring with experienced seafarers. Our mentor program, the Women Offshore MentorSHIP, virtually connects both mentors and mentees working in maritime, both onshore and offshore. This program is open to...
How to Combat the Bystander Effect in the Maritime Industry
On the second day of the Women Offshore Conference, a two-part workshop brought together attendees to talk about an overarching concept in the industry that does not affect just women, but all mariners; bystander intervention. Throughout the sessions, hosted by Ally...
What I Learned on Day 2, Women Offshore Conference
Day 2 started much like the first day. Pen, pad, ready, set, go! On October 9th, it was the second day of the Women Offshore Conference. Just like the first day, I was ready to extend my network virtually, learn from the speakers, and engage in a workshop. I took...
Podcast
THE ONLY WOMAN ON DECK: HEAR CASSIE MEAD’S BOLD ADVENTURES AT SEA, EPISODE 198
Join us on this inspiring episode of Women Offshore as we sit down with Women Offshore Ambassador Cassie Mead, a maritime professional who has made a remarkable journey from a small rural community in New Zealand to a successful career at sea. Cassie discovered her...
FROM SEA CAPTAIN TO INNOVATOR: THE STORY OF CAPTAIN AYSE ASLI BASAK, EPISODE 197
On today's podcast, we have the Turkey Women Offshore Ambassador, Captain Ayse Asli Basak, on the show. Ayse shares with Christine about her journey working offshore and now what her current ashore career life looks like. Ayse Asli Basak is a seasoned maritime...
HEATHER ENNESS: NAVIGATING OFFSHORE LIFE AS A MOM AND INSPIRING FUTURE MARINERS, EPISODE 196
On today's podcast, we have the UK Women Offshore Ambassador Heather Ennesss on the show. Heather shares with Christine about her journey working offshore and her journey at home while raising kids.Heather is also a proud member of the UK Careers at Sea Ambassadors...
SAL MERCOGLIANO ON THE RED SEA UPDATES, EPISODE 195
Christine has Dr. Sal Mercogliano on the podcast today. Sal is Chair of the Department of History, Criminal Justice, and Political Science at Campbell University. He is also an adjunct professor at the US Merchant Marine Academy and a former merchant mariner. He hosts...
STICKY NOTE LEADERSHIP W/ALLY CEDENO, EPISODE 194
In today's podcast, embark on a transformative journey of leadership with today's podcast episode, where Ally introduces some incredible resources to help you navigate the waters like the book, "Sticky Note Leadership: 5 Simple Steps to DO LESS and LEAD MORE." Tune in...
AGAINST THE CURRENT: A JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE IN THE MARITIME WORLD WITH KITARA SMOLINSKI, EPISODE 193
Today on the podcast, we bring you an unforgettable speech delivered by Kitara at the Women Offshore Benefit Gala. Join us as we dive into Kitara's remarkable journey—a tale of resilience, perseverance, and the unwavering spirit...
WOMEN OFFSHORE MENTORSHIP!
Offshore Lifestyle
Setting Boundaries Offshore: How Women Can Maintain Work-Life Balance
“The word boundaries is scary,” mused the executive consultant sitting next to me. “Perhaps there’s a less emotional word you can use.” We were chatting about how best to frame the workshop that I had developed for women in masculine professional environments. Sitting...
Challenges Faced by Women in the Maritime Industry: Overcoming Obstacles
This article was published in BP's July 2016 issue of Horizon Magazine. I’ve been with BP since 2002. Since then, I’ve held field-based roles in Colorado, New Mexico, the Gulf of Mexico and Angola, and spent extensive time in the field in West Texas, Republic of...
Step Up and Stand In – How to Advocate for Your Development
Sometimes moving your development forward can be a bit like jumping on a moving sidewalk or a ski lift. You have to line yourself up and pick up the pace before you can jump on board, and for many of us, those moments can be a bit jarring. We’ve all heard that our...
From Disney to Drillships: What I learned about Public Speaking
If you are 0.001% of the human population, you absolutely love public speaking. For the rest of us humans, we tolerate it ONLY if necessary. 'Use what you've got.' But for those of us who want to go places and for those who are ready and willing to stand out, we must...
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