Kings Point Midshipman completes AMO internship

Kings Point Midshipman completes AMO internship


	U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Midshipman Jonathan Spiropoulos with AMO National Secretary-Treasurer and USMMA alumnus JosŽ Leonard (left) and RTM STAR Center Director of Training Phil Shullo (right).

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Midshipman Jonathan Spiropoulos recently completed a 10-day summer internship with American Maritime Officers and AMO Plans in the pilot of a formal internship program the union and benefit plans will provide for Kings Point cadets.

Students from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., are required to complete a 10-day internship with a shoreside maritime operation, either industry or labor, as part of their training. Spiropoulos, who has completed his junior year in the Kings Point deck program, selected AMO for his internship.

The students select the shoreside operation for their internship and the academy works to secure an opportunity, said Veronica Barry, USMMA director of industry outreach. The internship requirement is an important element of training to help familiarize future graduates with the shoreside aspects of maritime operations.

During his two weeks with AMO and AMO Plans in Dania Beach, Fla., Spiropoulos observed and worked with union staff and officials, met with benefit plans administrators and worked with instructors and staff at RTM STAR Center.

"The AMO union/STAR Center internship was a spectacular experience, where I gained insight into operational aspects of both union management as well as professional development," Spiropoulos said. "I am glad I had the opportunity to be involved and have learned a great deal from everyone I came in contact with."

With AMO, he observed and worked with the deep-sea dispatching staff and union officials in handling job assignments, grievances and attended a demonstration of maritime fire safety equipment at Port Everglades.

At STAR Center, Spiropoulos observed simulation training with simulator operators and instructors in the deck upgrade program and company-specific training courses, observed a fast rescue boat class and met with staff in the engineering department and modeling & research department.

Front Page

Return To Section-Front