Why I Started “Freshers to Shipping” | My Inspiring Journey and 10 Years of Experience Guiding Graduates into the Shipping Industry     Introduction — The Problem No One Talks About Hi, this is A.B.Q, a shipping professional, blogger and author of Freshers to Shipping. Through Freshers to Shipping, I share my real journey from jobless to shipping professional. Every year, millions of graduates finish college with big dreams. But after graduation, many find themselves jobless, confused, and unsure about what to do next. If you are also in that stage right now — please remember this:You are not alone.Every one of us crosses this phase in life. I was also one of you. I completed my B.Sc. in Chemistry in 2015. I was not a topper or a distinction student. I was just an average learner who cleared my arrears and passed with 60%. On my last day of college, I took photos in my graduation gown with my friends — happy but scared about what was coming next. College life was full of fun, friends, and memories. It went by faster than I imagined. But after graduation, real life started — and it was nothing like college. Today, I’m a shipping professional with 10 years of experience in NVOCC and logistics, writing this to guide you — because I’ve gone through the same struggle that every fresher and job seeker faces after college.   The Jobless Phase — Six Months That Changed Everything After graduation, I didn’t get a job for six months. In the first month, I enjoyed my free time watching movies all day.But from the second month, I started feeling strange.By the third month, fear slowly took over my mind. Thoughts like: “Why am I still jobless?”“What will my parents think?”“How will I face relatives?” I started feeling ashamed even to sit in front of my mom and dad. I avoided conversations, and even lost interest in eating, and started staying outside more. I went to pray daily, spending more time in the masjid, coming home late, just to escape the pressure I was feeling. It was the first time in my life I felt that kind of emotional stress. No one tells you how hard that phase is — when you start to think maybe something is wrong with you. But trust me — it’s not you. The real problem is not that freshers don’t have skills.The real problem is that they don’t have guidance. And that’s the reason I started Freshers to Shipping.   The Moment That Changed My Life One night, after prayer, I heard my neighbor talking to my friend saying that a shipping company was about to open a new branch in our town and that they were looking for candidates. My friend politely said no because he was from an electrical background. So, he willing to work in his professional based only. It is not wrong. It is his determination. Suddenly, my neighbor turned to me and asked me if I was willing to work in shipping company he will give details for that. I didn’t even think twice. I immediately asked that person for details. Honestly, I didn’t even know what a shipping company was at that time! I just needed a job. But I believed this could be my opportunity — my answer after months of prayer and fear. That night, I told my parents about it. They were so happy and hopeful. The next morning, I called the manager. He asked me to come quickly for the interview. I took my cycle and went there immediately — just 15 minutes away. When I reached there, the manager introduced me to General Manager (He is the person who interviews candidate), He spoke to me kindly, asked about my background, and looked at my confidence and attitude. He liked how I spoke. Then he said something I’ll never forget: “Okay, we’ll take you. What’s your expected salary?” I replied honestly: “Sir, it’s my first job after college. I don’t know what to expect. You can decide what’s fair for a fresher like me.” He smiled and said, “Then we’ll start you with ₹10,000 per month.” At that time, my father’s salary was ₹8,000. So, imagine my happiness! In 2015, a ₹10,000 job for a fresher in my little town was a big deal — and more importantly, I could finally support my family.   The First Salary — A Memory I’ll Never Forget When I got my first salary, I went home excited. My father wasn’t home yet, but my mom was. I gave her the money first. She held it in her hands and started crying — not out of sadness, but out of pure joy. That moment changed my life. When my father came home, my mom asked me to hand the salary to him. He smiled and said jokingly, “Are you sure this isn’t a prank?” I laughed and said, “No, Dad. This is real. It’s my first salary.” He was proud and blessed me saying, “You will go higher and higher. Keep working hard.” Those words and my mom’s happy tears made me promise myself: “No matter how hard it gets, I will never quit my current job until I get a best one than this.” That single moment gave me strength, purpose, and direction. From that day, I decided — no matter what happens, I’ll keep learning and growing.   My Journey in the Shipping Industry When I joined the shipping company, I knew nothing.I thought shipping meant building or operating ships! But once I started working, my eyes opened to a whole new world —a world that runs global trade, connects countries, and powers economies. “if you want, see the source: UNCTAD’s latest report, it tells maritime transport is the backbone of global trade, carrying over 80% of goods traded worldwide. It connects industries and countries, moving raw materials to factories and delivering finished products to consumers — driving economic growth