Her Story
About Athena
Athena Vieira serves as a Marine Systems Technician, also known as a vessel engineer, in the maritime industry. With three years in marine engineering and a background in maritime dating back to high school, she handles electrical systems, refrigeration, hydraulics, engine room management, and teaches cadets on offshore voyages. Vieira oversees engine room rounds to ensure all systems function smoothly as the sole engineer on board. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2023 with degrees in Marine Affairs and Marine Science, completed three years of coursework in geological oceanography with a concentration in biogeochemistry, and attended International Yacht Revision School the following fall. Vieira began her path through a high school sailing program, worked as a sailing instructor at the Harrischoff Marine Museum, and spent winters at the Bristol Boat Company. She is a major alumni and spokesperson for Project Green Schools and IRIS, attributing her success to mentorship and hands-on experience from industry professionals. Vieira values trust and open communication among crew members and advises young women entering the field to embrace the grit required while enjoying the unique community, travel, and experiences it offers.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Athena
01What do you attribute your success to?
I think all of the people who have invested their time daily. I wouldn't be able to know everything that I know without the mentorship, and without getting hands-on experience from people who have been doing this for a while.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
It takes a lot of grit to be in this field, especially as a woman. Stand on my work and stand my ground. Finding mentors within this industry who are uplifting has really been amazing.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It's tough, but it is probably one of the most fun jobs that I've ever had. The sense of community that you get on board, you will not find in any other job. The places that you can travel to and the experiences that you will have are one of a kind. There's just so much potential in this field.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Definitely being a woman in my field is really, really challenging, and I also think my age is also challenging, as well. I'm only [AGE], and this is such a male-dominated field, it's hard advocating for yourself when you're the only woman in the room.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Trust is a big one. Being able to trust the people on board, right? Because we're going to these remote places. Communication has always been really key, like, being open and honest, and having a two-way dialogue between every crew member.
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