Not your first choice? Apply anyway.

Sverre Martin Brynjelsen took on a challenge we offered him early in his career—a temporary assignment as Chief Officer. This was despite being newly qualified and initially expecting to start in a more junior role. It is a decision he has never regretted. Today, he has clear advice for others looking to succeed in a maritime career.

Sverre Martin contacted us as a newly qualified officer in 2019. Shortly after, he was offered a temporary position as Chief Officer on a tugboat – even though he had originally applied for a position as Second Officer. He was unsure whether to take the opportunity, but chose to go for it:

“One week turned into two, as they wanted to keep me longer. When it was time to go home, I was offered a permanent position as Chief Officer with Boa.”

Read more about his journey in a separate article.

Apply for Jobs That Aren’t Your First Choice

Sverre Martin has a clear message for those considering a maritime career:

“Be willing to step outside your comfort zone and seize the opportunities that come your way. Apply for jobs that may not be your first choice; they can provide experience that opens doors you wouldn’t want to miss in the long run.”

The Goal: Experience as Much as Possible Before Coming Ashore

When asked about his dream job and future ambitions, he says:

“My dream job would probably be working on a tugboat along the Helgeland coast. Not a bad life being a seafarer and going for a run ashore after a day’s work.”

He is also clear about his long-term goal:

“My goal is to experience as much as possible before I eventually come ashore—whether that’s as a retiree or in a shore-based career.”

This article was first posted on MarineCrew.no

Translated with assistance of AI

Published 17.06.2026