SMIFutures: Early Career Profiles - Phoebe Chadwick

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 Phoebe Chadwick, an Ocean Scientist at RS Aqua, who embarked on her maritime career through a 10-week graduate training project that bridged her transition from university to the industry. At RS Aqua, she engages with underwater acoustic monitoring, fish tracking, aquaculture, and ocean robotics, fostering a dynamic career in maritime technology.

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

I applied for the role at RS Aqua as it offered a 10-week graduate training project, which, fresh out of university, was less intimidating than being dropped straight into an industry role with little experience or training. The great part about RS Aqua is the breadth of sectors we work within, from underwater acoustic monitoring, fish tracking and aquaculture to using ocean robots within the defence and survey sectors. I consistently get hands on with the newest and best ocean technology being produced and work with a variety of researchers and projects. 

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

Throughout my time at university, I had a chance to play around with various oceanographic instruments. During my MSc, we had a week of deploying equipment from a research boat and analysed all collected data. Having a broad awareness of ocean equipment ensured I had some base knowledge before starting my role here. I was also based at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton so we were kept up to speed on the newest technologies, ocean robots and key oceanographic projects. 

What skills or qualities do you believe are essential for success in the maritime industry, especially for early career professionals?

To be successful in the industry, particularly in a technology focused role, I feel it’s important to stay up to date on key projects and new technologies being released. Being dynamic and adapting to different research projects is also really important in my role, as there are many different applications for one piece of equipment. 

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

RS Aqua have a great flexible-working policy, meaning we often have four day working weeks or start earlier to finish earlier, which makes it easy to maintain a good work-life balance. I also travel a lot with my role, but I always make a point to explore new areas and do fun things when away with work. 

What do you find most rewarding about working in the maritime industry, and what motivates you to continue pursuing your career in this field?

In the (almost) four years that I’ve worked within the industry, technology has changed and developed so much. Being exposed to this and getting hands on with this equipment motivates me to stay in this field. I work closely with a fish tracking technology which helps to better understand species behaviour and aids conservation efforts, this is the greatest motivator for me to continue a career in the industry.