"Four Years from Junior to Chief"

"I started as a waitress in Warsaw. I loved hospitality but wanted more. At 24, I decided to try yachting."

"My first year was tough. I was learning so much, making mistakes, getting homesick. There were moments I wanted to quit. But my chief stew at the time mentored me, and I pushed through."

"Year two, I moved to a 65m yacht as regular stew. Better pay, more responsibility. I was gaining confidence. Year three, I became 2nd stew on an 80m yacht. The captain invested in my training - I did wine courses, advanced service training."

"Now I'm Chief Stew, managing a team of four interior crew. I earn $10,500/month, have four months off per year, and have visited 40+ countries. More importantly, I've developed leadership skills that are valuable anywhere."

Reality check: "It's not always glamorous. Long hours, dealing with demanding guests, living in close quarters with crew. But the rewards - financial and experiential - are worth it if you commit to excellence."

"From Construction Worker to Yacht Bosun"

"I was working construction in Bucharest. Hard work, low pay, no future. A friend told me about yacht jobs. I thought he was crazy."

"I came to Oscar Yachting with zero maritime experience. Just strong work ethic and willingness to learn. The deck training was physical - line handling, maintenance, tender operations. Perfect for someone used to hard work."

"Started as deckhand on a 55m sailing yacht in the Mediterranean. $3,200/month seemed like fortune compared to construction. Learned from an amazing bosun who taught me everything about deck operations."

"Three years later, I'm bosun on a 75m motor yacht. Managing deck crew, responsible for all exterior operations. Earning $6,500/month. I've crossed the Atlantic twice, been to Scandinavia, Mediterranean, Caribbean."

What I love: "Every day is different. Weather changes, locations change, tasks change. I'm outdoors, physically active, and making great money while seeing the world."

The challenge: "Being away from family. I do 8-10 weeks on, then 4-6 weeks off. The long rotations can be hard, but the extended time off makes up for it."

"Fresh Graduate: My First Season"

"I just graduated university with a tourism degree. All my classmates were fighting for desk jobs with terrible salaries. I wanted something different."

"The Oscar Yachting training was more practical than four years of university! Six weeks and I had all my certificates and practical skills. Two weeks later, I was hired for my first yacht."

"My first month was overwhelming. So much to remember - every guest has preferences, every captain has different protocols. I made mistakes but learned quickly. My chief stew was patient and taught me well."

"Now, four months in, I'm finding my rhythm. The work is intense when guests are on board, but the crew is like family. We have fun, share incredible meals, explore ports together."

Unexpected benefits: "I'm learning skills that aren't taught in universities - extreme attention to detail, working under pressure, reading people, adaptability. Plus my English has improved dramatically."

For newcomers: "Come with open mind and humble attitude. Ask questions, take initiative, don't complain. If you work hard and stay positive, you'll succeed."