The maritime industry is global, complex, and full of opportunity, but for many students it can still feel difficult to access from the outside. With the launch of Student Propeller Club Norway, the International Propeller Club of Norway is creating a new platform designed to connect students with professionals, companies, and international opportunities across the maritime sector.
The initiative aims to strengthen the connection between academia and working life while giving students meaningful industry exposure and valuable professional networks.
Meet the team behind the initiative
Student Propeller Club Norway is led by students with a strong passion for the maritime industry and a clear ambition to bring students and industry closer together.
The initiative is chaired by Anders Kårbø Rong, with Victoria Andrup serving as Co-Chair. Supporting the initiative as advisor is Tom O. Kleppestø, bringing industry insight and experience into the development of the student platform.
Together, they aim to build a professional, inclusive, and internationally connected student community within the maritime sector.
Building stronger connections between students and industry
Despite Norway’s position as one of the world’s leading maritime nations, awareness among students is not always where it should be.
According to Tom Kleppestø, one of the key challenges is simple: Storytelling; knowledge about the industry and Norway’s leading position in it.
Student Propeller Club Norway aims to address exactly this by creating meeting places where students and industry can connect directly. By telling the story, over and over again, through meeting places created together with the industry.
But awareness alone is not enough. For Victoria Andrup, practical exposure and confidence-building are equally important. In a world where information is no longer scarce, hands-on experience is probably the most valuable to offer students. She believes students should feel encouraged to contribute, even before they have years of experience.
Creating an interdisciplinary student community
One of the ambitions behind the initiative is to challenge the perception that the maritime industry is only relevant for a narrow group of studies. Victoria explains: “I believe there is a common perception among students that the maritime industry is reserved for certain fields of study.”
Instead, Student Propeller Club Norway aims to create an interdisciplinary and student-driven community where students from different academic backgrounds can engage with the maritime industry in practical ways.
Through workshops, mentorships, internships, case work, and exclusive industry events, the initiative aims to give students meaningful exposure to the industry.
“My goal is to create a community where highly committed students from all disciplines feel that they have a place to grow and contribute.”
A vision for Oslo as a maritime talent hub
For Anders Kårbø Rong, the ambition goes beyond creating a student network.
“We believe that the Student Propeller Club will contribute to increased student activity in the city of Oslo, and that Oslo will increasingly be recognised as a place where capable and well-educated students are preparing to become future professionals in the maritime industry.”
Over the coming years, the goal is for the Student Propeller Club to become an important meeting arena between students and professionals.
Why engaging students early matters
For the industry itself, engaging students is not just valuable, it is necessary for the future. Tom explains: “To get young people to know about our amazing industry… and how the maritime industry and other ocean industries can offer them a lifetime career that will take them around the world and really make life worth living.”
By creating stronger links between companies and students early on, the initiative also helps companies connect with future talent. “Engaged, knowledgeable and highly motivated young job seekers who turn into committed employees for life.”
Victoria also hopes the initiative will become a trusted bridge between students and employers. “My vision is for Propeller Club to be a trusted recruitment arena where the industry easily can get in touch with talented, creative and motivated students.”
Anders believes long-term success will ultimately be measured by the opportunities created for students. “A successful outcome would be for maritime companies to actively recruit students from our club.”
He also hopes the initiative will establish the Student Propeller Club as a recognised quality stamp for ambitious maritime students. “This would help establish the club as a recognised quality stamp for engaged, capable, and industry-oriented students.”
A global network with international opportunities
One of the strongest advantages of the Propeller Club network is its international reach. Something both students and industry can benefit from.
“Extremely important, as it mirrors the industry itself, which is global,” says Tom.
Through the wider international network, students can build relationships across borders and gain exposure to maritime environments around the world. “Creating long lasting networks with both students and companies abroad, which can lead to possibilities for work and business that would not otherwise have occurred.”
Looking ahead
As Student Propeller Club Norway is now launched, the focus is now on building engagement and momentum among students interested in maritime, logistics, business, energy, finance, engineering, and ocean industries.
Tom is particularly excited to see students become active participants in the industry community: “To start seeing more students attending our events, engaged and knowledgeable students, that is.”
For students considering applying, the message from the team is clear:
“Would you like to work in an industry where Norway is among the leading nations in the world, one which will take you places, both locally and globally? Then the maritime industry is for you and the Student Propeller Club Norway is your fast track to get in there.”
Student Propeller Club Norway is open to motivated students across maritime, logistics, business, energy, finance, engineering, and ocean-related fields. Learn more and apply here
