Faris Fauzi - BSc (Hons) Maritime Business and Maritime Law Graduate

“Regardless of the programme you are pursuing, make sure that you have a keen interest in what you do. A strong personal interest in a particular field is the best motivator in good times and hard times, and will keep you afloat in ‘rough seas'.”

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

Even before graduation, I became an Underwriting Assistant on 1 July 2015. This was within a month after leaving Plymouth. My manager was particularly impressed with the first-class grades I achieved for my marine insurance and admiralty law module, the law of the Carriage of Goods by Sea (COGSA) module and my legal-based dissertation, all of which are strongly related to my current role and which were key for me to secure the role.

Did you decide to change your career path during your studies, and if so, why?

No, as the maritime industry has always piqued my interest, particularly in the field of maritime law, marine insurance, and COGSA. The seeds of interest were planted during my three years studying maritime transportation management with the Singapore Maritime Academy, and the interest has never faded since.

What was the most difficult thing you faced finding a job?

Being able to stand out and convince an organisation why I would be an excellent employee. In reality, having a CV full of academic achievements is not what an employer is looking for, so being able to ace an interview is the most important aspect of job hunting because you can share stuff about yourself which is beyond what you can include in your CV.

What, if anything, would you have done differently at university?

Perhaps I should have joined a club or society to expand my social circle and in order to take on a different activity, but I was fearful that such a commitment would affect my studies. This was my only regret but in any case, the university has many fantastic clubs/societies to which I encourage students to sign up!

How did studying at Plymouth help you?

Having studied for three years with the Singapore Maritime Academy, it only gave me an Asian perspective on the global maritime industry. Studying in Plymouth has given me a European perspective of the global maritime industry, thus broadening my horizon and given me a truly international outlook. The programme is arguably the only one in the UK (at bachelor’s level) that is the best at providing comprehensive academic guidance on the maritime industry, from a business, logistical, and legal facets. The fact that the programme is well recognised in the UK and the Singapore maritime industry is a testament to this.

Is there anything else which you would like to share with our current students?

Regardless of the programme you are pursuing, make sure that you have a keen interest in what you do. A strong personal interest in a particular field is the best motivator in good times and hard times, and will keep you afloat in ‘rough seas'. Motivation is important not only in your pursuit of knowledge but also in your career and personal endeavours too.