SMI Early Careers Profile: Dieudonne Munyabarenzi

In the latest SMIFutures Early Career Profile, Dieudonné Munyabarenzi, Relationship Manager at DeCourcy Alexander, shares his thoughts on the value of intellectual curiosity in the early stages of a career, and reflects on how work experience and a clear five-year plan have shaped his professional journey.

What initially attracted you to the maritime industry, and why did you choose it as a career path?
I fell into the maritime industry through my role as a Relationship Manager at De Courcy Alexander. What has kept me here is not only an appreciation of maritime’s importance to global trade, but also the chance to work in an industry at the cutting edge of transformation.
Whether it’s alternative fuels or autonomy, it’s clear to me that the next five to ten years in maritime will have a huge impact on globalisation and the world economy.

What initially attracted you to your company, and why did you choose it for your career path?
I was attracted to De Courcy Alexander because of its culture.
Having worked remotely during Covid and seen companies transition back to hybrid or office-based roles, it became clear that remote working suits my approach and offers a solution to work–life balance. I spent my twenties working in London, and the rush-hour commute into the City has been replaced with a morning coffee and a productive email review.
The culture at DCA is about tackling hard problems, with a strong focus on innovation, which really interests me. On any given day I could be travelling to a conference, meeting clients, or reading about the latest developments in maritime. My current role as Commercialisation Manager lets me combine the sales skills I developed as a Senior Account Manager with the analytical skills I strengthened during my MBA.

Can you tell us about your educational background and how it prepared you for your current role in the maritime industry?
I have three degrees: an undergraduate degree in History from the University of Warwick, a master’s in History from the University of Nottingham, and an MBA from the University of Nottingham.
My background in history developed my ability to conduct in-depth research, summarise complex topics, and communicate appropriately for different audiences.
The MBA complemented my humanities background with accounting and finance, giving me a more holistic understanding of business.

What challenges did you face during the early years of your career, and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge I faced was what I call the “work-experience trap”. At university I focused on my studies and didn’t seek work experience, as I planned to do a PhD and become an academic. Without a back-up plan, when I finished my master’s I lacked the experience needed to land graduate roles.
I worked around this by securing a role in an industry I didn’t intend to build a long-term career in, while taking every opportunity to gain experience I could leverage into the next role.
Planning your first five years and knowing when to look for an alternative role is crucial. Not everyone gets their dream job first time, but you can plan how to reach it, even if it takes two or three moves.

How did you navigate the transition from being a student in school or university to a working professional in the maritime industry?
I began my current role as an intern during my MBA, and my manager was mindful that I was studying full-time. I increased my hours as my studies tapered off. I also aligned my dissertation topic with my internship, which made the transition to full-time work seamless.

Can you share any memorable experiences or projects you’ve worked on?
My favourite project was a Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 project: Novel High-Efficiency Ammonia Engine Technology for Heavy-Duty Marine Applications (HEAT-HD).
I was responsible for commercialisation, and it was a completely new area for me. What struck me was how seriously the maritime industry is taking decarbonisation and how willing people are to help new entrants. I attended every conference with a pen, paper, and about 20 questions—and people were always happy to help.

What skills or qualities do you believe are essential for success in the maritime industry, especially for early-career professionals?
Intellectual curiosity is vital. Being comfortable and humble enough to ask questions goes a long way. I often work with engineers and, without an engineering background, I ask many questions to ensure I understand enough to add value. It’s important to do your research and not expect to be spoon-fed—but you don’t know what you don’t know!

How do you balance work and personal life, and what strategies do you use to maintain a healthy work–life integration?
Work–life balance requires clear boundaries and a sense of priorities—what’s urgent, what’s important, and what can wait. There are days when I work late because something is pressing; that’s fine, because when capacity allows I can take time back. Having a clear view of what is essential and what can be deferred is the key to maintaining balance.

What do you find most rewarding about working in the maritime industry, and what motivates you to continue pursuing your career in this field?
The most rewarding aspect is the connections I’ve made. I used to be a wallflower at conferences, often on my phone, but I came to realise how welcoming people are and how willing they are to engage.
I’m invested in the maritime transition and motivated by helping to solve difficult problems. I’m excited to see what advances in machine learning and AR/VR will mean for one of the world’s oldest industries.

How do you envision the future of the maritime industry, and what role do you believe young professionals will play in shaping its trajectory?
Advances in technology mean every industry is ripe for disruption. I believe young professionals will drive much of that change: they bring fresh eyes and aren’t bound by the mindset of “we’ve always done it this way.”