Management associates…

“The Management Associate Programme at Berge Bulk has been an incredible journey for me. From hands-on projects across different teams, to the once-in-a-lifetime experience of sailing on one of our vessels, I’ve gained insights that go far beyond any office. With the trust and guidance of mentors I felt confident to take on real responsibilities, and the time onboard taught me the importance of connecting with the crew — seeing our impact firsthand. The programme is a fantastic opportnity for young talents to grow, adapt, and build a meaningful career in a supportive environment.”

How has the management Associate programme helped you grow both personally and professionally?

My three main takeaways…

1. Relish the exposure and embrace change: The programme gave me the unique chance to experience and learn about the many different aspects of the company. Each area had its own set of challenges, team dynamics and skills requirements, and I had to step out of my comfort zone many times, adapting quickly to ensure I made the most of my time in each area. The tasks I worked on ranged widely, from looking at market analysis and trading models, to whole sustainability and CSR projects — rapidly changing the skills required. It taught me that change is not to be feared but embraced in order for me to grow both personally and professionally.
2. Trust: I was pleasantly surprised at the level of trust given to the Management Associates by the mentors, despite our relative lack of experience in the field. From day one, the mentors assigned responsibilities to us and encouraged us to take ownership of a variety of tasks and projects. During our first stint in Commercial Operations, the mentors entrusted us with projects for the CEO, and operating ships in the Berge Bulk fleet. Whilst the mentors provided guidance, they also gave us the space to explore and express our own ideas. This could be seen as daunting, but the sense of trust and respect was very valuable, enabling us to aim high and grow with confidence.
3. Understanding different perspectives: The programme enabled us to work with all the teams in the company along with various external stakeholders from different backgrounds, cultures and areas of expertise. It offered the opportunity for hands-on tasks as well as insights into thought processes across many levels of the organisation. The breadth of this exposure helped us to understand the importance of considering all different viewpoints — benefitting both our personal and professional lives.

What has been the most valuable experience or lesson learned during your rotations across different functions?

Sailing on one of our vessels, the Berge Eiger, gave me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience life onboard. This was further enriched by the projects that we worked on whilst onboard — learning how to take ideas from our onshore team and put them into action. The crew welcomed us with warm hospitality, and the voyage proved very fruitful — some of our feedback on crew welfare and reducing plastic onboard became concrete, as plans rolled out across the fleet.

What motivates you to stay with the company now that your MA programme has ended?

Having experienced the culture, the people and learning opportunities within Berge Bulk, I knew I was in the right place to continue to grow as a person as well as in my career. The highest compliment I could give to Berge Bulk is that I honestly have never, for a single day, dreaded coming to work, and this remains true almost 8 years later with the organisation.

What advice would you give to future graduates considering the Management Associate programme at Berge Bulk?

Graduation time can be full of hope and excitement, but it can also be intimidating and uncertain. It’s natural to feel that way, and I was in your shoes once. Personally, at that stage of my life, I was looking for an opportunity to explore my interests and capabilities, to challenge myself and, above all, to work for a company with a culture which would allow me to learn and to grow. The importance of having good people and mentors around you as a young graduate cannot be overstated. As such, I am grateful that I found myself at Berge Bulk — they ticked all the right boxes for me and I have great conviction that the Management Associate programme at Berge Bulk is an opportunity not to be missed.

“The Management Associate Programme at Berge Bulk has been an eye-opening experience. It’s not just about learning the business, it’s also about developing key skills like open communication, and having a humble and curious attitude. What truly stands out is the strong sense of teamwork and support — different departments come together like one big family, whether it’s solving small vessel issues or tackling ambitious goals like moving towards zero. This synergy, and the resources available, greatly impacted my personal learning which was both rewarding and exciting. Even after completing the programme I chose to stay on, continuing to grow my career here with Berge Bulk.”

How has the Management Associate programme helped you grow both personally and professionally?

I feel that my soft skills — such as better, more open communication, a humble attitude to learning, and feeling empowered in my work have been enhanced: Back in school, we used to think that our curriculum was very content heavy, and one would assume that we’d know the business very well after graduating. However, being in the Management Associate (MA) programme has make me realise that there is so much more to the shipping business, things that can never be learned from textbooks. As I pick up different day-to-day responsibilities, I have learned to be more confident — speaking out and being less afraid to ask questions. I now find myself wanting to help others, just as I was helped by those who guided me through my MA programme.

What has been the most valuable experience or lesson learned during your rotations across different functions?

Different functions might have different agendas at times, but I have learned to recognise that they all share a common goal — at the end of the day the aim is to always have the company’s interest at heart, and to always be willing to improve. Together this makes working at Berge Bulk more enjoyable for everyone.

What motivates you to stay with the company now that your MA programme has ended?

In Berge Bulk, we all have our own foundations in various in-house departments — such as Technical and Marine. These different resources helped me to manage the steep learning curve of my time on the programme, and I liked how the different teams always came together as one to work towards a common goal. If there was a small incident on a vessel which required brainstorming, or a bigger goal such as moving towards zero, the departments all worked together. This strong synergy between the different departments gave me a ‘one big family’ feeling and that’s why I wanted to continue growing my career here.

What advice would you give to future graduates considering the Management Associate programme at Berge Bulk?

The Management Associate programme might sound like a big ambition, and it can be daunting to some people who are still exploring their career direction. However, to me it feels like it was the best opportunity to find out what I enjoyed most about shipping. As long as you have an open mind and a good attitude towards learning, you will definitely gain something positive out of the MA programme at Berge Bulk.