Vantaggi
If you are willing to give up any chance of a normal life shoreside, you can be at sea for 11 months out of the year and earn upwards of $150,000 as a 3 A/E.
Svantaggi
You will be lied to by office and shipboard personnel about the required commitments. You will be gone 10+ months out of every year. You are only able to earn more money at MSC because you will work more days out of every year. When adjusted for the # of days worked, the day rate is 30+% less than comparable work elsewhere. MSC is woefully understaffed right now, and they are passing the buck onto the seagoing employees with extended tours overseas and increased responsibilities and workloads without increased compensation. The culture is terrible. The security of a government job with little oversight or accountability leads to the lowest performers sticking around while the capable leave for greener pastures.