Campus Life

Fall 2024 Career Fair Highlights Maritime Industry Workforce Needs

Texas A&M students had the opportunity to meet with prospective employers during the fall 2024 career fair.

On October 24, Texas A&M University at Galveston hosted over 100 employers and more than 600 students for the fall career fair. The semesterly event allows students to connect with potential employers looking to hire soon-to-be Aggie graduates. Of exceptionally high demand from attending employers are Texas A&M Maritime Academy cadets.

The demand shown at this event reflects the needs of the maritime industry across the nation, which currently suffers from a lack of qualified individuals to support it. The estimated need to operate vessels far exceeds the pool of currently available mariners. The shortage of unlimited credentialed mariners is so critical that Military Sealift Command, crucial for delivering fuel and supplies to U.S. forces overseas, has proposed sidelining seventeen U.S. Navy support ships due to a lack of qualified mariners to operate their vessels. 

Working alongside the newly formed Texas A&M College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies, the Texas A&M Maritime Academy is perfectly positioned to fulfill its mission to train and produce qualified U.S. mariners ready and able to work in mandatory positions on commercial and federal military sealift vessels. The career fair offers an opportunity for first contact between these students and employers, often resulting in interviews for internships or full-time positions.

“Over the last several years, there has been a steady increase in workforce needs by the employers at our career fairs,” said Ken Bailey, Director of Career and Ability Services. “Our students and graduates are competitive and ready to step into these roles.”

The Texas A&M Maritime Academy is a critical player in addressing this deficit. With a strong focus on practical training, classroom instruction and real-world experiences, Aggie graduates are prepared to take on the vital roles needed to keep the industry running.

The Texas A&M Maritime Academy, located on the Texas A&M Galveston Campus, is one of only six state maritime academies in the U.S., and the only one in the Gulf Coast region. As a leading maritime training and education institution, the academy is essential in the nation’s economic, political and naval strategy through commissioned U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard cadets and the U.S. Merchant Marines.

The Office of Counseling, Career and Ability Services hosts the career fair each semester. For more information or to participate in the spring 2025 career fair, visit the Career Fair website or contact Maya Sandy, Career Services Coordinator.