Redoing my GCSE's

[paulrussell]

Well I've told my parents and they're ok with it. I want to relearn my maths and science otherwise I'll struggle, as it'll 9 years since I've had to learn, if I were to start this year. I'll redo my 4 of GCSEs so I won't struggle as much and have a better chance of being accepted. Is there any way I can start to redo them now and have the exams next year?

[Stu R]

Have you spoken to any companies yet?

I'd do that first honestly - at 25 you're at the top end of the age range they'll take on for a cadetship, and while a year might not make a difference to some I'd hate for you to go and redo them only to find yourself unable to go in. Of course, it's still probably worth doing them, but I'd have a backup plan.

Give Maersk, Clyde Marine and a few other of the more popular cadetship companies a quick bell, ask to speak to their cadet training officer and explain your circumstances etc.

[paulrussell]

Stu R said:

Have you spoken to any companies yet?

I'd do that first honestly - at 25 you're at the top end of the age range they'll take on for a cadetship, and while a year might not make a difference to some I'd hate for you to go and redo them only to find yourself unable to go in. Of course, it's still probably worth doing them, but I'd have a backup plan.

Give Maersk, Clyde Marine and a few other of the more popular cadetship companies a quick bell, ask to speak to their cadet training officer and explain your circumstances etc.

No I haven't. I'll email a few companies, as I don't have access to a landline.

[paulrussell]

I've got the email address of Carnival and Princess Cruises, so I'll email them later. They haven't put up there phone numbers, so I presume they prefer to be contacted via email or post.

[johnfm]

Gaspowered said:

paulrussell said:

johnfm said:

By marine engineering do you mean working on boats?

Or are you aiming to do real engineering, i.e., GSCE's, then A-level in physics, chem & maths and then a four year degree?

Yes I do mean working on a boat. I'd do a HND as it seems to teach you more than a degree. I wouldn't say that to become an engineer you have to have a degree.

EDIT: This is the course I'm thinking of doing http://www.warsashacademy.co.uk/courses/profession...

Edited by paulrussell on Sunday 15th January 00:54

Taken from http://www.careersatsea.org/apply/entry_requiremen...

GCSE Grades A-C/Scottish Standard grades at Levels 1-3 in English, Maths, a Science based subject and at least one other subject.
So 4 GCSEs.

You do NOT have to have a degree to be an engineer.

Sorry chaps

I was just clarifying.

Where I come from and when I grew up, people who built or fixed things on boats, in factories etc weren't called engineers.

I understand the term has very wide usage in the UK.

Now I understand why he only needs GCSE and a HND, rather than the need to study maths, physics, chemistry etc and understand differential calculus, hydrostatics etc.

FWIW, working on a boat sounds more fun than designing one in an office.

[Frik]

johnfm said:

Where I come from and when I grew up, people who built or fixed things on boats, in factories etc weren't called engineers.

That's a different argument.

Regardless though, the fact remains that you don't need A-levels or a degree to be a "proper" Engineer, however you define it.

[paulrussell]

I need some help with drafting the emails to Carnival and Princess Cruises. At the moment all I've got typed down is

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am enquiring wether you would sponsor a 26 year old doing a HND in Marine Engineering? At the moment I'm 25 years old with quite poor GCSEs, so I would need to redo some of them to even get a chance to do a cadetship.

[Gaspowered]

johnfm said:

Now I understand why he only needs GCSE and a HND, rather than the need to study maths, physics, chemistry etc and understand differential calculus, hydrostatics etc.

A HND in marine engineering covers most of that anyway. Most of which I've forgot the day after the exam.

[98elise]

Trackside Junior said:

Frik said:

You don't need a four year degree to be a "real" engineer. You certainly don't need A-levels either.

Without the education, how would you learn all the Maths etc you need to do the job?

Also there are laws in some countries e.g. America and Germany where you can't be called an engineer without a degree, it's like "doctor"

You also can't become Chartered without a Masters Degree. (My boyfriend is doing a mechanical engineering degree and if he didn't have the A level knowledge, he would have had to do an openings course to learn it, because it's insane what you need to know)

Edited by Trackside Junior on Saturday 14th January 13:07

You do not need to have a degree to be an engineer, charterd or not. My father is a chartered electrical and mechanical engineer, and he does not have a degree.

Engineer is not a protected title, as it has a few different meanings. The title Chartered Engineer is protected by law, however it does not need a degree to use the title. Its all on the engineering councils website.

[paulrussell]

Can anyone help with drafting the emails? I've since found out that Princess Cruises is owneed by Carnival, so should just send the one email to Carnival, or should I also send one to Princess Cruises aswell?

[Gaspowered]

Carnaval would seem to be the umbrella company for the companies you've mentioned. So an email to their manning centre should cover all your bases. http://www.oceanopportunities.com is their recruitment website

HR Recruitment Team
Carnival House - 4 Pacific West
100 Harbour Parade,
Southampton
Hampshire
SO15 1ST

[e-mail].

Also check out the Nautilus website for tips on what to put in your CV.

http://jobs.nautilusint.org

[Otispunkmeyer]

engineering

maths and physics almost definately

For marine engineering, Geography may be useful and for the 4th, English probably. I studied Engineering and its mostly Maths and Physics. There is a tiny bit of Chemistry (comes in during combustion or materials topics) but cant say I've had to use any Biology. English is good because you do need to be able clearly and concisesly convey ideas, designs, theories and just be able to explain yourself, in words, without waffling.

[paulrussell]

I've just sent Carnival this email


Dear Sir/Madam,

I am enquiring weather you would sponsor a 25 year old as a mature student, looking to do a HND in Marine Engineering with quite poor GCSEs?





Sincerely my name

[rhinochopig]

G600 said:

If you are going to do English you shod probably know that it's GCSEs not GCSE's

He shod, shodn't he.

[FeatherZ]

Same sort of problem as me at the moment Russ, I'm wanting to do a trainee/internship in Accountancy but the road ahead looks long and hard, as I type this I'm actually planning it ahead.

I have 11 Modules (Open University) 2 A-Levels (Maths, Economics) English Literature (GCSE) AAT (Accountancy course 2-3 years) to try fit in 3-4 years while working anything up to 56 hours a week!

Looks like hard work and I know it is, I've started the Open University modules, in September I will be starting my GSCE at local college, I gather after doing the Maths modules in my degree I shouldn't have any problems with the A levels, and the AAT is like 6-10 hours per week study.

In reality if I was employed as a trainee accountant now, I would work my socks off and do it, but it isn't going to happen, I guess I will have to prove to them I have the skills by doing all this and hope it pays off in the future by getting me into a top 40 firm! Gotta dream I guess

[Rev Limit]

Hi Mate,

Im sure you could buy the course materials yourself, through Amazon etc and then just pay to take the exam. Wouldnt that be cheaper?

[Turtle head]

paulrussell said:

I've just sent Carnival this email


Dear Sir/Madam,

I am enquiring weather you would sponsor a 25 year old as a mature student, looking to do a HND in Marine Engineering with quite poor GCSEs?





Sincerely my name

I would not say poor GCSEs I would use, GCSEs with D grade or below. Try to be a positive as possible.

[paulrussell]

I've had an email back from them, and they've said they won't accept me due to the fact that, I could stuggle and they wouldn't want to put me through it or them.