Shelley Van Amber Cruz has long dreamed of working onboard a cruise ship and her years
of persistence are finally paying off. A former recruiting supervisor at First
Maritime Shared Services (FMSS), Shelley is set to join one of the cruise ships of
Royal Caribbean this coming May.
Shelley admits that she feels both excited and nervous about working onboard a cruise
ship for the first time, but she is optimistic that with determination and
persistence, she will be able to handle any challenge presented to her.
A graduate of Hotel and Restaurant Management, Shelley previously worked at a number
of restaurants in Metro Manila before serving for almost four years at a global coffee
chain in Circuit Makati where she eventually became Shift Supervisor. She also worked
as a Team Head at LBC, supervising seven branches.
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However, her dream of working at sea remained even as the world faced a
pandemic. So once training schools opened up again, she enroled in Basic
Training and Seafarers Designated Security Duties (SDSD). “Sabi ko sa sarili
ko, subukan ko nga ulit kasi di naman dahil tumigil yung buhay natin dahil sa
pandemic, ibig sabihin ay titigil na rin yung mga pangarap natin,” she said.
Once she was ready, she sent her application to Royal Caribbean Cruises.
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While waiting for her Seaman’s Book to be released, she submitted her application to
the Philippine Transmarine Carriers (PTC) Talent Acquisition Group (TAG) and was endorsed to FMSS which at that time had
an urgent need for a recruitment coordinator. She got hired and handled the Crew
Readiness Team for RCCL. After 3 months, Shelley was promoted to recruitment
supervisor.
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“My father also worked on a cruise ship as part of the Housekeeping team and
eventually a Galley Steward. He is one of the people who inspired me to pursue
a career at sea," she shares. She is also determined to give a brighter future
to her three-year old daughter and she is very grateful to PTC for giving her
a chance to reach her dreams.
“I am proud to become a PTC Global Maritime Professional (GMP). PTC has taught
me how to handle different situations and all kinds of people. They have also
helped me develop my skills. I am very thankful to the people at PTC
especially Ms. Benj of TAG and Ms. Jing of FMSS for all the knowledge that
they have imparted to me."
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Indeed, even in the male-dominated maritime industry, Shelley is living proof that
there is always space for women who are determined to carve a space for themselves and
are willing to work hard for their goals. And the PTC Talent Acquisition Team is fully
committed to making sure that these women, as well as other talented and hardworking
Filipinos, will have a path to their dreams by connecting them to the global careers
of PTC.
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