Finding Purpose Beyond the Uniform

By Ade Solorzano 

When I first started my career as a deck officer, I believed success had a very clear  definition: earn my license, gain sea time, move up in rank, and become the best  officer I could be. 

Like many seafarers, my life revolved around contracts, bridge watches, drills,  inspections, and the next professional milestone. My uniform became part of my  identity, and for a long time, I thought that was enough. 

But somewhere along the way, I realized that while my career gave me purpose, it  didn’t have to define the limits of who I could become. 

Working at sea has given me incredible opportunities. I’ve sailed on different types of  vessels, experienced unforgettable moments, and learned lessons that only life  onboard can teach. Yet one of the greatest discoveries of my career happened not on  the bridge, but after my watch ended. 

I realized I wanted to give something back to the industry that had given me so much. 

That idea slowly grew into something bigger. I began creating educational content,  sharing my experiences on social media, interviewing experienced captains and  maritime professionals, and connecting with cadets who were looking for guidance. What started as simple conversations became a growing community of people  passionate about the maritime world. 

Becoming a Women Offshore Ambassador reinforced something I had already started  to believe: creating opportunities for others is just as meaningful as achieving our own. 

Recently, together with fellow officers and maritime professionals, we launched Rumbo al Mar magazine, a digital magazine created to inspire, educate, and connect  Spanish-speaking seafarers across Latin America. Seeing the first edition published reminded me that our contribution to this industry doesn’t have to end when we step  off the gangway. 

Sometimes we contribute by mentoring. 

Sometimes by sharing knowledge. 

Sometimes simply by reminding someone that they belong in this profession. 

One of the most rewarding parts of this journey hasn’t been a promotion or a new certificate. It’s receiving messages from students saying that a video helped them  understand a topic, that an interview motivated them to keep going, or that they now  see new possibilities for their own careers. 

Those moments remind me that leadership isn’t only exercised through rank. It can  also be found in service, education, and community. 

For women in maritime, especially, it’s easy to feel like we constantly have to prove  ourselves. Early in my career, I believed that every achievement needed to speak for itself. Today, I still strive to be an excellent officer, but I’ve learned that excellence  also means lifting others as we grow. 

The maritime industry needs skilled professionals, but it also needs mentors,  storytellers, educators, and people willing to share their experiences honestly. 

Our uniforms represent discipline, responsibility, and pride. I will always wear mine  with gratitude. But when I take it off, I don’t stop being part of this industry. 

I continue serving it in different ways. 

Because purpose doesn’t end when the contract does. 

Sometimes, that’s exactly where it begins.