IMPACT

Stories From The Community

ALYSSA RAY FINDS A NEW CAREER THROUGH WOMEN OFFSHORE

I was scrolling Facebook and ran across a post by Women Offshore. I always enjoyed reading the write ups that the women did about themselves and their jobs and I decided to see if I could speak to someone at the organization. Within a matter of hours had a zoom call set up with the Director of Career Services at Women Offshore, Christine MacMillan.

Our first chat was eye opening. Christine asked me questions that I had not yet asked myself. She wanted to know what I liked about boating and my likes and dislikes about my experiences on the yachts. During our conversation, I realized that I wanted my day-to-day life at sea to make more of a positive impact on the environment and/or society.

Christine put me in touch with captains at SpaceX and I had a great chat with them and look forward to maybe working with them in the future. She also spoke highly of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution who happened to have a job opening that I applied for and accepted. I am thrilled to be invited to speak about my experiences at the Women Offshore gala in February. I cannot wait to network at this event and meet all the amazing people who support this organization.

Not only has Women Offshore provided me with concrete career development, but they have offered advice and mentorship when things got hairy at sea. I feel so much more confident being a woman out here in this environment knowing I have this organization to guide me. I look forward to being a lifelong member and future mentor with Women Offshore."

-Alyssa Ray, Messman