Spencer Porte-Munsie

Working as a prison officer has been a challenging and rewarding experience. It has given me the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills that are essential in this high-intensity and fast-paced job. I have learned to make quick decisions and handle unexpected situations with calm and confidence, which has helped me to effectively de-escalate volatile incidents and maintain order within the prison. In addition to my ability to manage crisis situations, I have also gained an understanding of security protocols and procedures. I have become more security minded, able to identify and address potential breaches and vulnerabilities. This skill has been crucial in helping me to keep both the inmates and staff safe. Despite the challenges of this role, I have found it to be incredibly rewarding. It has helped me to become more resilient and confident, and has given me a "can-do" attitude that I will carry with me in any future career. While I have enjoyed my time as a prison officer, I am now seeking a new opportunity that aligns more closely with my personal values and interests. I believe that my experience as a prison officer, combined with my desire to work in a more dynamic and outdoor environment, make me an ideal candidate for a deckhand position. My time as a prison officer has allowed me to gain practical skills and qualifications in order to pursue this career path.

As a Marina Berthing Master, I was responsible for welcoming visitors to the marina and ensuring that they received the highest standards of customer service. My role involved assisting with the birthing process, which required excellent communication and customer service skills. In addition to my customer service responsibilities, I was also responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and upkeep of the marina and onsite facilities. This required strong attention to detail and the ability to prioritise tasks, as well as the ability to work independently. One of the highlights of my time as a Marina Berthing Master was the opportunity to play a key role in planning and organising marina events and rallies, including busy weekends like Cowes Week and Round the Island Race. This required excellent communication, organisation, and leadership skills, as well as the ability to work well under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances. In addition, I had the chance to assist the Harbour Patrol Officers as crew on the Harbour Launches during these events, enforcing local regulations and handling emergency situations. This experience helped me develop a strong understanding of safety protocols and the ability to work effectively as part of a team. Through my experience as a Marina Berthing Master, I have developed a wide range of skills that are essential in the marine industry. I am confident in my ability to deliver excellent customer service, lead and motivate a team. This position really made me become more interested in sailing and gave me the inspiration to look into doing maritime work as a career.

I started my first job at McDonald's during my time in Sixth Form, where I was able to immediately demonstrate my potential and was promoted to shift manager within just over a year and a half of joining the company. This was hard at the time as I still had to perform well and study for my A-levels at Sixth Form so I learned really good time management. Throughout my four years at McDonald's, I had the opportunity to manage a team of over 80 employees and create a positive, productive work environment. In addition to managing cash positions and making company bank deposits, I also gained experience in data management, including inputting, storing, and maintaining information in databases. I received extensive training in various areas, including health and safety, food safety, security management, and first aid, which helped me to become a more well-rounded and competent leader. My time at McDonald's taught me the importance of hard work and discipline, and instilled in me a strong work ethic that I continue to carry with me to this day. In addition to the practical skills I acquired, I also learned the value of teamwork and how to effectively lead and motivate a team towards a common goal. However I knew that this wasn't the job that I wanted to do for the long run as it wasn’t a very satisfying job and I wanted to do something that I would enjoy and be able to learn more.