Alumni Testimonials

Success in any career begins with education and training.  Graduates of our career-oriented programs attest to that. The Chapman graduates below represent four (4) solid reasons why the Chapman School celebrates it's 40th year of operation this year.  These graduates also represent more than 18,000 men, women, and children who have graduated from programs at the School since its inception in 1971.

Professional Mariner Training

Dan N.
December 2011 PMT Graduate writes........
 
I had just finished my term with the Air Force and wanted to use my GI bill to go to school. I wanted to do something fun, not just regular college studies. I had recently discovered my love for boating and called around looking for a good boating school and I feel very lucky that Chapman found me. From the beginning Bruce Robertson was a great help and is the most experienced with GI bill payments of any school I've attended. He made the process of signing up easy and beginning class right away.

All the instructors are very experienced and excellent at passing their knowledge to every type of student. I looked forward to every class, especially navigation with Captain Jack. All the knowledge I gained was priceless and will stick with me throughout my life.

After graduating Jack said enjoy the break and a month from now start looking for work. Again opportunity found me, when Bruce called to notify me of a live aboard job on a 223 foot motor yacht that cruises to the Caribbean all winter and to the Mediterranean all summer. I couldn't be more excited and I started a week later. I'm absolutely loving every minute of my job. I never thought I would start such an incredible job so soon after graduating. I wish I would have gone to Chapman straight out of high school.

Big thanks to Chapman and the entire staff for all their work and care. You really can tell they love what they do. And you will love your experience there and the lifetime career assistance.

Cheers!

USCG License Training

Linda B.
January 2011 Master Mate program writes...
 

I am thrilled I took the OUPV and Master's course at Chapman's. Not only was I amazed at how much I learned and retained, thanks to the excellent instruction of Tom Swank and the way the school structured the course work -- including films which dramatically drive a lesson home. I passed with flying colors on the first try --can't beat that!

Thank you Chapman's!

Call me Captain

Professional Mariner Training

Mikel K,
March 2010 PMT Graduate writes.....
 
After 16 years of owning my own masonry company in Indiana, I kew it was time for a career change.  My love of the water, boats, and a strong desire to live in Florida lead me to the decision to pursue a career in the maritime industry but how exactly I would make the leap wasn't as clear.  After much research, it became obvious that Chapman, with its rich history, impeccable reputation and strong industry respect, was the only choice.
 
After 12 weeks of intense classroom, hands-on vessel operation, and maintenance courses, as well as in-depth preparation for the Coast Guard exams, I found that all that Chapman's propgram promised was real.  The Chapman program put me on track to reaching my goal of becoming a working captain.
 
Post graduation, I found that just as the training had been, the job placement process was also top notch.  Having graduated only 4 weeks prior, Chapman provided me the opportunity to interview for the job most can only dream of - Mate on a 116 foot yacht.  As a testament to Chapman, I am now First Mate.  If not for my degree from Chapman, this opportunity woud not have been possible.  The owner and the Captain (also a Chapman alumni) knew that whatever experience I may have lacked was more than made up for in the quality of my training.
 
It is with deep gratitude, that I say Thank You.  The Chapman program, the Captain instructors, and the job placement department (specifically Bruce Robertson), has allowed me to follow my dreams and make them reality.

Professional Mariner Training

Matt G.
2007 PMT Graduate writes.....
 
 
The Professional Mariner Training Program (PMT) has greatly assisted me getting my foot into the Maritime door and finding steady work since I graduated the program in 2007. 

PMT taught me the skills and knowledge, provided a highly regarded well recognized credential for my resume, showed me what I needed to be able to start work, and assisted me with leads in the job search process.

The PMT program teaches you what you need to know to get started, and I have used many of the skills taught in the program in my daily work schedule.  Marlinespike has been a huge help to me.  Knowing how to properly secure a vessel rather than tying a mess of knots.  There is no better way to look professional than when you can prepare a tow, or hang fenders correctly and secure a vessel like you have done it a million times before. The information and skills learned in the Weather, Marine Mechanical Systems and Vessels Systems, Chart Plotting and Boat Handling classes have also been vital to my working duties.

Your resume is the most important item you will need when seeking employment. Bruce, the Registrar at Chapman School, helped me with mine and will do the same for you.  Captains in the industry look through hundreds of resumes from potential employees, and I have noticed that when they see the reference to the Chapman School PMT Program in my resume, that it puts me a step ahead of the pack.

Chapman School also assisted me by guiding me with the types of credentials required by vessels hiring crew.  For example many vessels require you to hold STCW 95 Basic Safety Training, First Aid/CPR, MROP and MMD card.

It is a combination of all of the above contributing factors which has helped me attain the jobs which I have secured.

Following graduation I started looking for work and went to various Crew Agencies in Ft. Lauderdale but it was Bruce at Chapman School that got me my first real job.  I was hired as a crew member on a Research Vessel and travelled to Puerto Rico, Grenada and almost every island in between.  Had it not been for Chapman School I would never have had this opportunity.

The next job I secured was as a deckhand on a 106’Motor Yacht.  Once again when the Captain looked at my resume and saw that I had gone to Chapman School he was confident without even meeting with me that I would be able to meet his requirements.  After the season they cut back and I was let go but it only took two months for Bruce to find a new job for me as 1st mate aboard an 80’ Motor Yacht out of Ft. Lauderdale. The captain used to teach part time at the School and knew I would be capable with my PMT background.  The job was great and the vessel traveled to Key West, Naples and the Bahamas.

I remained in this job for about 18 months until I was offered an opportunity as Mate on my current vessel a 108’ Burger Sportfish.  The Captain interviewed 25 people, I was the only PMT graduate who applied and I got the job.

The industry has a lot to do with word of mouth, so never burn your bridges and always work as if your next boss is watching you.   Chapman School gave me everything I needed to progress in my career but remember the ball is always in your court to make something of the opportunities yourself.
.
 

USCG License Training

Andrew S.
CBS News
June 2010 Master Mate Program, writes....
 
For a very long time I have wanted to pursue my dream of obtaining a captains license. I did many hours of research online trying to find the best place to do so. On a trip to visit a friend in Stuart Florida, while on the water in a small runabout, my friend pointed out a school for seamanship. That school was the Chapman School. I had some time in early June so I called the school and immediately felt this was the place. One phone conversation with registrar Bruce Robertson was all it took.

Mr. Robertson was a no nonsense and knowledgeable person assuring me that I was making  the right choice. He made sure that I understood this was not a place that would be easy, or that they would teach me the test. This school took very seriously the task of training responsible and knowledgeable seaman. He recommended I stay on campus and I can’t tell you how right he was. It was the perfect place to stay and study. The campus is on the water, surrounded by boats, with everything thought out for you to the last detail, including WiFi for your computer. There was something special about having your name on the door of the wonderful mini apartment when you arrive.
 
This is a no nonsense 8 days of intense study with the most amazing instructors. My instructor was Captain Tom Swank. When I say no nonsense, that is the only way to describe this former high school teacher from New York. There was never a question thrown at him that he, not only had the answer for, but made sure everyone understood why it was so. Those conversations alone were worth the price of admission. If you are looking for a place to teach you the test question for the oupv six pack license this is not the place for you. But if you are looking for a place that  will start you on the right path to becoming a respected and knowledgeable captain, then there is no better place than the Chapman School of Seamanship.