SMIFutures: Early Career Profiles - Tirren Ambroziak

SMIFutures, our vibrant community of young professionals, has been carefully crafted to nurture the maritime leaders of tomorrow. These individuals actively engage in Council and Board activities, forging industry connections, boosting confidence, and injecting fresh, diverse perspectives into both SMI initiatives and the broader maritime sector.

This month, meet Tirren Ambroziak, oceanographic engineer and valued member of SMIFutures. We recently sat down with Tirren to discuss entryways into maritime careers, overcoming imposter syndrome and carving your own path in the industry.

What initially attracted you to the maritime industry, and why did you choose it as a career path?

The fact that no two days are the same! Within the same week I can be installing radars out on piles in the Medway to hanging off piers in Scotland. I have the opportunity to really tailor what I want to work with, whether that be with new pieces of technology, data products or surveying techniques. You really can make the industry your own!

Can you tell us about your educational background and how it prepared you for your current role in the maritime industry?

I took a more traditional route to get to where I am now. After my A-levels I went to university to study Bioscience before doing my masters in Oceanography. The jump from bioscience to oceanography, really helped me to look at problems as a whole and not as isolated situations.

What challenges did you face during the early years of your career, and how did you overcome them?

Once I had secured a job the hardest part for me was overcoming imposter syndrome (where you doubt your own skills and abilities), especially when it came to conferences and trade shows. I was suddenly in a position where people were asking for my professional opinion on services. i overcame this by shadowing more experienced people within my company and that, coupled with the amount of on the ground experience i gained with our products, helped me to overcome these thoughts.

Can you share any memorable experiences or projects you've worked on?

One project that springs to mind is the ongoing contract with UKHO Marine Environmental Monitoring Systems (MEMS). The project includes installing environmental monitoring systems in a variety of UK overseas territories. The systems that we install allow data to start being collected and importantly, the sea level rise to be recorded, in places that have never had it before. I was lucky enough to go out to Montserrat for two weeks to integrate the equipment and go to teach the locals how to use it. I found the whole project very rewarding and feel like the work that we are doing is making a difference.

How do you balance work and personal life, and what strategies do you use to maintain a healthy work-life integration?

I am lucky enough that I get to travel all around the UK, but that does mean that there are weeks when I am not home at all. After long trips it is more important than ever to make sure I separate myself from work and take time to recover from the long days and intensive schedules.