Success at sea: Chelsea King’s ocean dream
Pursuing a career at sea
Chelsea King, a second-year Marine Navigation Technology student at NSCC's Strait Area Campus Nautical Institute, embodies the essence of determination and spirit of the Ocean Dream Award for Women and Indigenous People.
Before NSCC, Chelsea completed a Marine Hospitality and Tourism program in Newfoundland and Labrador. However, her dream of working on deck led her to NSCC's Bridge Watch Rating course to become a certified Able Seaman (AB). After working on deck as an AB for a year, Chelsea craved more from the marine industry, inspiring her to apply to the Marine Navigation Technology program.
The Ocean Dream Award played a significant role in her NSCC journey, the award is funded through a partnership with Transport Canada and the Oceans Protection Plan in an effort to increase access to marine training. It provided financial security, allowing Chelsea to focus entirely on her education. “This award impacted my life, education, and career path in so many wonderful ways, I knew I wanted to work at sea but getting there would be extremely hard to do without this award,” said Chelsea. “Getting this award during my Bridge Watch course opened so many doors for me, then when the award was extended, I would have been silly to not continue with my marine education.”
Making space in a male-dominated field
As an Indigenous woman in a male-dominated field, the award empowers Chelsea and inspires others to join the marine industry. “As an Indigenous woman pursuing a career in the marine industry, this award gives me the extra motivation I need to continue doing my best,” said Chelsea. “It's given all sorts of women an opportunity to pursue a career that is typically male-dominated, giving young women more confidence in joining the marine industry in the future knowing they will not be alone. It's essentially changing the marine industry one woman at a time.”
A generational impact
To organizations, donors and partners looking to support Indigenous students, Chelsea's words are a heartfelt testament. “Your support helps many students, including myself, gain the education they need to break generational poverty. Oftentimes, your support gives Indigenous students a chance to be the first in their families to attend school with a high chance of finding a good-paying job.”
Chelsea plans to complete her Marine Navigation Technology program and enrol in NSCC’s Marine Management Training courses to continue her path to becoming a master mariner. For those considering a career in the marine industry, she says that right now is the time to start, as it’s a promising and well-paid career with a high demand for workers.
Chelsea's story is a testament to determination, empowerment, and the transformative role that education has in shaping lives.
Learn about more ways to give or contact us to discuss how you can support women and Indigenous students like Chelsea at NSCC today:
Phone (toll-free): 1-866-745-7919 | Fax: (902) 491-4828
Email: