Interested in becoming a military ship engineer

I've always been fascinated by engineering and am considering a career as a military ship engineer. What should I study in college, and are there any internships or programs that could help me break into this field?

Going into military ship engineering is an exciting prospect. To prepare for this career, you might want to look into majoring in Marine Engineering or Naval Architecture. These programs often incorporate a comprehensive curriculum covering marine propulsion systems, naval architecture, marine electrical systems, and other related subjects.

Another popular degree path for this career is Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Naval Science or a specialization in marine systems. Studying Mechanical Engineering would give you a broad foundational understanding of how machines function, which could be very useful in maintaining the complex systems onboard a naval ship.

As for internships, you should certainly look into the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) summer internship programs. These are highly competitive programs with the U.S. Navy that provide practical experience in naval warfare system integration, and other operations and management decisions that relate to weapon systems.

Additionally, some marine engineering or naval science programs might have their own affiliations with local shipyards, marine companies, or the Navy for internships. The U.S. Coast Guard also offers some opportunities like the Marine Inspection and Investigation Internship program.

Lastly, programs such as the Navy's Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate (NUPOC) might be appealing. NUPOC is designed for the highest-achieving college students who have potential to become Navy nuclear officers and eventually military ship engineers.

Remember, hands-on experience is valuable in this field, so taking every opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings would be beneficial. Good luck on your journey!