Elisei · Suceava, Romania
From a shoe factory to a job on a fishing vessel in Ireland
Elisei worked at his brother-in-law's shoe company and thought he would end up in construction, like most of his brothers. He started at a fish processing plant in Norway and is now leaving for his first contract on a fishing vessel in Ireland. Below he tells you what didn't work, what helped and what was hard.
1 / 7 · Before “I thought I'd end up in construction, like most of my brothers”
My name is Elisei, I'm 22 and I come from northern Romania, from Suceava. A year ago I was working at my brother-in-law's leather shoe company.
I didn't like the work, and I knew I had to change something in the future to succeed in life. But I never imagined a future in the fishing industry. Most likely, I thought I'd end up in construction, like most of my brothers.
2 / 7 · Why I wanted a change “I was captivated by the idea of working at sea”
I first heard about AlexFishingWay from a friend who sent me a TikTok video. I was captivated by the idea of working at sea.
I started studying all the free information. The thought that I only needed two documents to work at sea made me look straight away for how to get them as quickly as possible.
I knew it was much harder than working on land, but the money is different too. That was what I wanted from the very start: a job on a vessel!
3 / 7 · What did not work on my own “I applied massively in Norway and didn't get a single reply”
Once I had the documents, I started sending applications to fishing companies in Norway. I had worked in Norway before and already had the basic documents.
Some time went by, trying and applying. I applied massively in Norway and didn't get a single reply. I still hadn't paid for the AlexFishingWay course.
4 / 7 · What helped me “On my own, I'm not sure I would even have found the job at the factory”
At one point I decided to give the AlexFishingWay course a chance and paid for it. About 5 days later, Alex replied that workers were needed at a fish processing plant in Norway. I gladly accepted the offer and left straight away.
“After I gained experience and started to understand the industry, I began looking into a job on a fishing vessel.”
Alex applied on my behalf to companies in Ireland. In the end I got confirmation that I had a job on a fishing vessel. The process took about 3 weeks.
The project doesn't just have lots of contacts and information: there's also Mr. Alexei, who gives his time so that his students succeed. On my own, I'm not sure I would even have found the job at the factory. And as for the job on a vessel, I would have given up long ago.
5 / 7 · What changed “I realized I'd made the right choice when I got my first salary”
My first day of work at the factory was easy. Everyone was attentive and kind to me. I met exceptional, helpful people who taught me and showed me everything I needed to do.
I realized I'd made the right choice when I got my first salary. I also saw how easy the work schedule is in Norway.
Right now I'm at the airport, on my way to Dublin. I've already been in touch with the manager in Ireland: he told me about the vessel, the type of fishing and other useful things. Honestly, I'm a little nervous. I know it won't be easy, but I trust myself that everything will be fine.
6 / 7 · The hard part “They all advised me to give up and choose a safer path”
My family reacted like a family in which nobody had ever set foot on a vessel. They all advised me to give up and choose a safer path: a job in construction, because that's what's in demand, not sailors.
During this time I didn't really have supporters. All I had was the hope of a big salary and a better life. The friend who sent me the video didn't follow this path himself, because of worries and lack of support from his family.
At the factory, the hardest period was when I was moved between several processing sectors because they were short of workers. But I always had someone to show me and teach me what I needed. As it's my first time at sea, I expect it to be challenging and demanding.
7 / 7 · My advice to you “The sooner you start, the further you'll go”
You should never be afraid to start in such a big, well-paid industry. Nobody reaches high salaries or good positions without a few years of experience. The sooner you start, the further you'll go.
There are myths that in Norway you absolutely need experience, or that a Scandinavian language is mandatory. In reality, I met people who didn't even speak English. If you have the will and perseverance, anything is possible.
It's normal to have worries, but not exaggerated ones. I once stressed a lot over a situation that made me laugh once I'd got past it. I came to the conclusion that we worry ten times more than we should. For me, success means moving forward even when there's no one to support you.
Elisei
first contract on a fishing vessel, Ireland
