Student Spotlight - Dean (Blended Learning)

We recently told you about Dean winning the John William Slater Award for Outstanding Achievement - you can read this story here.  Here we look at the path that led to Dean winning the prestigious award.

Why did you decide to study by Blended Learning at FNC and what did you study?

I studied for Officer of the Watch Unlimited. Blended Learning was the best option for me because I could work and study at the same time. I didn't need to take any time off to attend college full time, and the exams and courses could be fitted around my leave. The Blended Learning team were very supportive and helped organise courses and exams for me, it made studying a lot easier. 

What had you previously studied, when and where?

I only really studied in high school. Since then I have always worked.

Tell us about the roles you've had at sea - where you've been and what you've seen and done

I started my sea career as a trainee deck hand. I hadn't really heard about cadetships or anything and I had my basic STCW95 certificates, so I started my career on deck.  A couple of years later I got my able seafarer certificate, daughter craft coxswain, and advanced medical first aid. 

I realised there's nothing left to progress to unless I went to college and tried for an Officer of the Watch qualification and I sailed with a chief engineer who kept prompting me to "just go for it, you can do it" and "you’re wasted on the deck". I thought I might as well give it a try, I would probably regret it in years to come if I didn't at least give it a go.  So I enrolled with Fleetwood.  The Blended Learning team helped organise everything and I took it all step by step and progressed until the end. To be honest I surprised myself with what I achieved but hard work and dedication really does pay off!      

Why was the Merchant Navy your choice of career?

I have family members at sea, and it was a natural choice to follow in their footsteps.     

How did you find studying by Blended Learning?  

It was the method I wanted to use from the beginning. I couldn't afford to take time off work to go to college full time, so it made sense to me to work and study at the same time. There was plenty of time to study each day especially at sea. At the end of each working day I would do a couple of hours studying or sit mock exams ready for college, where as before I was only either watching tv or playing on games like a lot of other people.         

What did you learn that has had the most impact/you got the most out of?

Most of what I learned in the college modules I still use now at sea, like celestial navigation for checking the vessel’s compass deviation. Also chartwork and navigation by updating charts and passage planning. It has all come to good use.     

What are you doing now and what are your career ambitions?

I'm now a second officer, and a trainee DPO (dynamic positioning operator) on a multi-role vessel in the North Sea. I'm hoping to have my full DPO qualification by next year. And I would like to go back to Fleetwood and do a Blended Learning Chief Mates course. 

What would you say to anyone thinking studying by Blended Learning at FNC?

You should definitely go for it!      

Anything else you'd like to tell us?

Thank you to Katrina and Sandra from the Blended Learning team, they helped me a lot and work so hard to organise everything for all the Blended Learning students. I don't think I could have done it without them.