Career as a Shipbroker?...

I took a look at Clarksons' site before posting. I'm trying to get more information on where to start initially... I realize general business experience is a factor, so I suppose the questions I'm really looking to answer would be: should I continue my education (taking on student loan debt) and go for a business oriented bachelor's degree? or should I try to get a get any job I can with a company instead? And does it take prior experience to even get that job?... Thanks again.

Nonsense, you don't need to get into a top university to get into ship broking. I managed it with a Physiology degree from Glasgow. You are more likely to get into a graduate scheme, but they are only with Maersk, ICAP and Clarksons. I didn't include my degree on my CV apart from those graduate schemes (despite being a 2.1), as it wasn't relevant, and most ship-brokers don't think its relevant. Hell, most brokers don't have a degree.

Yes it's a closed door industry, but that just makes it more rewarding when you do get in. If you can sell yourself well with the little shipping experience you have, and can talk your way through a technical interview, then you are ahead of a lot of people coming fresh out of uni

So, simply put

Do the ICS foundation diploma, Increase your knowledge. More info can be found here, http://www.ics.org.uk (Note, I would recommend doing Introduction to shipping and shipping business as your first modules, simply because you don't want to specialise before you've even got a trainee role)

Network with people in shipping (linkedin is a start, join some maritime industry groups), try get some work experience, whether its a couple of weeks or a couple of months.

Send your CV to everyone possible. Phone people up, physically walk into offices (This is what worked for me). It doesn't even need to be broking houses, send your CV's to shipping agents, freight forwarders, shipowners, ship insurance underwriters etc etc. Just get a list of names you can drop. Who you know is important in shipping, they will look for family ties to shipping, but just make sure you can demonstrate why you are better educated in the subject than the guy born into it.

Drop me a line if you have any more questions.

Great advice!

What advice would anyone have for a 21 year old American who has just earned his Associates degree (for what its worth) and is interested in the industry? Where might I start, other than relatively basic internet research? How does one begin to enter the field? Any and all information will help immensely. Thanks.

Hi,I am a sailor and want to get into ship broking industry. So I have gathered all the information regarding ship broking but still I haven't get one answer from anyone... that before pursuing or during pursuing the course in which kind of job I should get into... so that I can build nice contact in shipping industry along with good experience which I can improvise for my further career...