Mark Veum:
CLASS OF 1991
Como Park High SchoolClass of 1991
St. paul, MN
Mark's Story
Life
Education:
Attended UMD in Duluth for three years and studied Civil Engineering. No degree earned, but completed the Math Minor and the majority of courses needed. Just couldn't stand the thought of crunching numbers all my life.
Went to the Great Lakes Maritime College. Studied both the Deck and Engineering Shipboard Officer Programs. Attained both licenses, and one of the few who do. 1995-1999, two degrees and two licenses earned.
Went to Metropolitan State University 2002-2003. In one year, finished the coursework needed for a Bachelor's In Maritime Business Administration (a degree normally offered through out of state colleges).
Career-
Officially: U.S. Merchant Marine Shipboard Officer, and "Master Mariner". Also, on occasion, a power plant engineer as well.
Except for some jobs during the recession of 2001-2003, been mostly in the marine field (first started in 1993). Worked for a few companies on the Great Lakes, like USS Great Lakes Fleet, Oglebay Norton Marine Services, Inland Steel Fleet, Lake Michigan Carferries, and Grand River Navigation. Did some work on the deep sea in the South Pacific. Also worked in the Gulf Of Mexico in the winters on supply boats to oil rigs. Recently worked as an engineering officer on the world's largest steam riverboat, the SS American Queen. My job on that boat was great! The Queen laid up in November, and I will be in the Gulf Oil Fields on Supply ships in January. Since I first began sailing way back in the early 90's...I have been on 41 ships! The oldest ship was built in 1906, and the newest in 2006. What's funny is that after a while you keep running into people you have sailed with before. But...that's life sometimes.
Just recently became a certified firefighting instructor for STCW US Coast Guard, and for the NFPA when I attended a ship related course at the Washington State Firefighting School (one of the best and hey...company paid). Will be writing the exams for my Chief Engineering Officer license soon. Also just attained my Minnesota Boiler Power Plant A Engineer's License.
Also wrote two books.
Life in general.
Finally got married in 2005 and bought a home. Nice lady, and love her very...Expand for more
much. Parents are retiring...makes you feel older. Have one baby son. Been doing alot of traveling. Not only international with work, but many places in he U.S.. Mostly I just pick a two lane highway and just follow it to where it goes. Followed Rt 66 and the Lincoln Highway to some very interesting places. Spent lots of time in Chicago, Texas, and Michigan around the Grand Traverse area. All in all, despite the ups and downs, life's been a wild trip...literally and figuratively. Each day adds just a little more wisdom and food for thought. Spend my time traveling, going off on some adventures here and there, reading, drawing, a little writing, taking pictures, and just making the most of each day given. Sieze the day? Maybe not to that extreme...but darn well close, eh?
To all my classmates I had known at Como, I send and wish for the best. I am not an easy one to find as I am not exactly around all the time. I hope this brief bio will give everyone just an idea as to what I have been doing.
Update 1/28/2010
I had written the above passage over a year ago. Some things have changed, and some things haven't. This past August, I was needed at home, so I "swallowed the anchor" at least for now. I am fortunate to have a skill set in a high need, and walked into a new job quickly. I am now a plant operational engineer at a Potato Processing Plant with facilities in Minneapolis near the UofM, and at the new facility in Chaska. The other noteworthy item is that my boy has turned one, and is getting very interesting.
Update 5/1/2011
Been a long time since I was on this site. Life has been in overdrive for the last year or so. Busy raising a son, trying to adapt to life on shore which hasn't been easy in many respects. Working on shore now in engineering plants. Finished working at the potato plant, did a half year stint at an industrial laundry, and now am doing a long term temp hitch at a pharmaceutical company in the western burbs that is in the process of transferring ops to Salt Lake City (No, am not moving...Mormon Central would just be too boring). Also busy starting to write again under aliases, whom no one would even guess. That's it for now.
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