Guest Speakers - Brandon O'Brien & Brighid Woodman

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Last Tuesday we were joined virtually by two former sea cadets, Brandon O'Brien, and Brighid Woodman! They are both working on the sea, Brandon with the Merchant Marines, and Brighid with the Navy. They talked to us about their experiences from their time at 23 Kent until now in their current jobs, as well as their future goals!

Brighid, left; and Brandon, second, during their time with 23 kent
pose with two other cadets behind Slt. Davis.

Brandon, originally from Souris, was a cadet until 2015. He discussed his time at 23 kent, explaining how it has helped to shape who he is today. In 2016, Brandon started his post secondary journey by travelling to Newfoundland to study Nautical Science at the Marine Institute, located at Memorial University. 

Fun Fact: Memorial University is known for being one of Canada's most affordable universities! 

Brandon is still attending school at Memorial, but is currently working with the Merchant Marines. His goal is to eventually work his way up to becoming Captain. Brandon talked about some of the perks of working with the Merchant Marines. Besides a competitive wage, there are many facilities on board that help make life at sea more enjoyable. Some of the ship's that he has worked on have pools, fitness facilities, and sometimes even basketball courts!


Above, Brandon is seen enjoying his life at sea!


Brighid is working in the Royal Canadian Navy. Like Brandon, she was a sea cadet with 23 kent. Her whole family has been actively involved in the sea cadet program and the Armed Forces. Brighid and all of her siblings are former sea cadets; her mom, Slt. Davis, is the former Public Relations Officer at 23 Kent; and her dad is working with the HMCS Queen Charlotte reserves. 

Brighid shares a common goal with Brandon, becoming a Captain of a ship. As the Navy becomes more diverse, they are always looking to add female captain's to their ships. Although the ship that she works on doesn't have pools and basketball courts like Brandon's ships, she still loves working on the sea! Something that Brighid enjoys about working in the Navy is that everyone works as a team. She showed us a photo of the Captain of her ship painting walls at a school in Africa along with the lowest ranked crew. As well as Africa, Brighid has visited over 15 countries around the world, all thanks to working in the Navy. Working in the Navy is the ultimate job for the travel enthusiast! 
Brighid living the life in the Navy!

There are so many opportunities available for people wanting to work on the sea. You could work in the Navy like Brighid, the Merchant Marines like Brandon, or on a Cruise Ship, or Fishing Boat. The opportunities are endless!

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