We are thrilled to be invited to endorse ESB MMO Training Programme which is running again in 2024 after its success in 2023!
Here at the MMOA, we offer a 1-year free membership and 1-hour mentoring session for each successful delegate on the programme. To give a little insight into the mentoring process we asked Amy O'Reilly what she thought of her session with our Executive Committee Member, Ana Carolina De Muzio
"The MMOA has been a great asset to me as a Marine Mammal Observer early on in my career. The Information Directory section has been particularly useful as a reference for best practices in the industry. It is still a relatively small and up-and-coming field so it is great to have a resource such as the MMOA that I can use to keep up to date with any changes in legislation, as well as to gain advice from seasoned MMOs. I have also used the MMO Equipment List section to double-check that I was fully prepared with all the necessary equipment before I started my first MMO role. Another useful section on the MMOA membership forum is the Vacancies page. This is regularly updated with the latest opportunities in MMO work. It is great for seeing what is out there and for finding one's next job.
As an MMOA member, I was given the opportunity to have a one-to-one mentoring session with an experienced MMO on the MMOA Executive Committee. I was spoiled for choice but decided to speak with Ana Carolina De Muzio as she had a great variety of experience including working in Irish waters. It was a very quick and smooth process to set up the mentoring session with Ana. After only a few emails we had organised a time and date for an online call. It was great to hear all about Ana's experience as an MMO. We first went through my CV and its strengths, as well as highlighting areas where I could gain more experience, such as offshore boat time. She has worked all over the world so it was interesting to hear about what the different industries were like to work in, the different types of contracts she completed, working solo versus working on a team etc. I had a list of questions to ask Ana about MMO work and she was more than happy to answer all of them. She also invited me to reach out to her if I had any future questions about work, and to connect on LinkedIn.
It was a very beneficial call and gave me the opportunity to focus on my own experience as an MMO and what I can work on going forward. I would highly recommend every delegate, particularly MMOs at the start of their career to take part in a mentoring session. If nothing else it is a chance to have a friendly chat with a fellow MMO for an hour!"
If you or you know anyone who wishes to apply, please contact ESB directly via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Application deadline is the 31st of July.
We would like to thank Amy for sharing her story with us. If you have any questions or have a story to share, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
