3. What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a career in the maritime industry nowadays?

It might sound a bit corny but seafaring is not a profession but a calling. Working on board a ship stands in opposition to the usual change between work time and past time. It is not a nine-to-five-job like a lot of jobs at land but requires a large amount of passion. Those who feel the passion for maritime navigation will always have a chance to make their way seafaring.