“I would like to advise everyone to come to Columbia and try it, this is really an open, cool crewing that helps young guys find themselves, build a career, grow as a specialist.”
Roman decided to connect his life with the sea, so he joined the Columbia cadet program. And it radically changed his life. Everything about the launch, the first flight, dreams for the future, Roman told in our short interview:
How did you decide to become a sailor?
This decision was made already at a conscious age, when I finally realized that this is an interesting, responsible, and most importantly, promising work. In the Odessa region, this is one of the most popular professions, but, unfortunately, there are not enough good officers now. At one point in my life, everything turned upside down, and I wanted to become a navigator, an officer, I had a desire to follow this path. Well, to be honest, I think that after moving to Odessa, the energy of the city influenced me in this way.
Why did you choose the Columbia Cadet Program?
I purposefully went to Columbia: this cadet program is the most successful, and, as friends and teachers at the academy told me, the most intelligent and competent. Here they really teach cadets, and not just train the workforce. Considered only this company, did not choose anything. I was very worried, I thought that no one would take me, because I had no experience, I also doubted my age (at that time I was already 25). But everything worked out for the best.
How was the application process and interview?
I was met at the office by the coordinator of the cadet program, Irina Aleksandrovna Barbinyagra. She is an excellent specialist: despite the large number of cadets, she does everything in a timely manner, controls all processes.
Then I passed the tests and got an interview with Captain Grigory Leonidovich Mashkevich, a man with vast experience. He immediately started talking to me like a cadet, not like a sailor. I remember his phrase: “You are a future officer, I will talk to you like an officer. Even if you are not sure about something, always speak, do not be silent. He immediately prepared me for what awaited me on the ship. It was not even an interview, not a readiness test, but rather a desire to get to know me better, to understand what kind of person I am, why I want to go to sea, how I imagine my future job.
After that, Captain Mashkevich said that I was going through. And literally two weeks after the interview, I was already on the ship.
How was the internship on the ship?
Literally two weeks after the interview, I was already on the ship, and I was the only Ukrainian there. The practice system is built in such a way that from the captain to the third officer, all officers control the process. There was no such thing as “Now go on deck and do this!”. Everything is according to a clearly defined program, while the cadet is controlled by an “attached” assistant, who, if necessary, helps to cope with the task. Small tests and exams right on the ship provide an opportunity to check the skills and progress in the training and work of the cadet. In principle, after the first contract, I was completely sure that I was ready to go to the position of an assistant, and this is a big plus of the cadet programs: in a short time you get knowledge that is hard to get even after four years of study at the university. Also a big plus of the cadet program at Columbia is the attitude towards people: there is no division into cadets and captains, everyone does one common thing.
How do you see your future?
Of course, I want to be a captain, and a tanker ship at that. The person who taught me, guided and supported me – Grigory Leonidovich Mashkevich – was the captain of the tanker fleet. And he is my example of a captain.
What advice would you give to those who are just planning to connect their lives with the profession of a sailor?
First, you need to learn English, without it there will be great difficulties. A good sailor speaks excellent English. The second point is specialization. A good, competent specialist is always worth its weight in gold, and roads are open to him everywhere. A person who understands his profession is always in demand. The third and main point is desire. Even if you got into a good company, you have good English, but there is no desire to strive for something, absolutely nothing will work out. Desire, perseverance, perseverance. You should also not forget that at any moment, even if you don’t know something, you don’t need to be shy, ask, find out, if you don’t know how – in general, learn. I would like to advise everyone to come to Columbia and try it, this is really an open, cool crewing that helps young guys find themselves, build a career, grow as a specialist.
