Marine Atlantic sponsorship supports mature student in setting a new career at sea
Back to school
Chris Brown never imagined he'd return to the classroom after 20 years of various careers, but he isn’t afraid to adapt to a new challenge. His NSCC journey first began after high school in 2003. After one semester, Chris left NSCC to work full-time, leading him to jobs across the country and in various industries, from hospitality, construction, security, the army and lastly, driving trucks across North America.
In the spring of 2023, he left the open road behind him and enrolled in NSCC's Marine Engineering Technology program, a program he had considered two decades prior. Today, he's thriving on his new journey with valuable support from NSCC’s Sponsor-a-Student program.
"After so many years out of formal education, returning as a mature student was frankly terrifying," says Chris. "I found that once I was over the initial terror of returning, that coming back as a mature student was a far better experience.”
Finding his sea legs
“The best part of the program is the combination of classroom and hands-on learning,” says Chris. “We are always learning new skills, and every one of them we’re taught is industry oriented, so we can put them into real-world practice.”
Chris has already been getting his sea legs ready as a recipient of the Marine Atlantic Sponsor-a-Student Opportunity, which provides him with financial support and a guaranteed sea placement with Marine Atlantic.
Anchored by support
Chris discovered the opportunity through NSCC's student awards portal, which he encourages all students to utilize. "Finding out I'd been selected was a great day," says Chris, adding that the Marine Atlantic sponsorship has been exceptional financially and professionally for him.
"My time at Marine Atlantic has been exceptional. The shore staff and crew aboard the vessels were amazing at taking in cadets and fostering a learning environment," says Chris. “The financial assistance has greatly improved my quality of life during the school year and helps push me towards academic success.”
His favourite experience during his sea placement was learning from all the engineers aboard the vessel. From teaching him new skills, explaining the tasks and what’s expected of him – to sitting down with Chief Engineers Vlad Cherny and Kirby Biggin to teach him the ins and outs of the business and how to better himself as a cadet and future engineer.
Charting a course for others
While pursuing his education has meant moving away from his children, Chris hopes his drive to better himself teaches them an important lesson: "No matter what, you can always make yourself better."
With his graduation coming up in December 2025, Chris plans to start working full-time aboard ships and explore the wealth of experience he can gain. To prospective students, his advice is: "No matter how old you are, or what your life experience is thus far, be it high school, or coming back after years in industry. There is always more to learn, so take the plunge and see what NSCC has to offer."
Sponsoring NSCC students
Chris is grateful for the support he received through donor-funded programs like the Sponsor-a-Student program, emphasizing that: "If it wasn't for the generous support of donors, there will be students unable to further their education. Through donor support, students' dreams can become realities."
To learn more about joining the Sponsor-a-Student program and supporting students like Chris, please contact Ben Trenaman at .
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