Are you looking for a career that allows you to see much of the world? Do you hate being in one place for too long? Do you have boating experience, or do you have a fascination for the ocean? If so, you may want to start training as a marine technician. Marine technicians can hold a number of jobs on a ship, depending on their education and government licenses. There are many different training routes possible for those who want to ultimately become deck or engineering officers in the merchant marines. The shortest option is to go to school. There is a national merchant marine academy and six state maritime academies in the U.S. that prepare students to take the vigorous tests required to sail on the high seas. If you don't have the time or money to attend these schools, you can earn the equivalent of an education from these schools by working as a licensed sailor under the supervision of an officer. Licenses are dispersed through the U.S. Coast Guard within the Department of Homeland Security.

Marine technician training prepares students to perform a number of different tasks. Those who work in the engine room of a ship make sure the engine is running smoothly at all times. They lubricate gears, check gauges, and make all necessary repairs to an engine under the supervision of a head engineer. On deck, marine technicians often perform a number of mapping and surveying duties, helping deck officers navigate through rough waters.