17/09/2026
How far can your maritime career go?
Captain Jerald started as a Third Officer and achieved the rank of Master by the age of 31. His story is a testament to what is possible when talent meets opportunity.
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| From Third Officer to Master: A Dream Realized at 31
Some dreams are spoken aloud. Others are carried quietly, nurtured through long watches at sea, difficult decisions, and years of steady work.
When Captain Jerald Gonzales joined CMA CGM as a Third Officer, becoming a Captain was one of those dreams. It was not something he expected to achieve overnight, nor something he pursued through shortcuts. Instead, it remained a personal goal, shaped by every voyage, every lesson, and every opportunity to learn.
Today, at 31 years old, he serves as a vessel Master, a milestone that reflects not only professional achievement but years of resilience, discipline, and continuous growth.
Looking back, Captain Jerald recalls being drawn to CMA CGM because of its reputation for developing its people and caring for its crews.
“What attracted me was the company's strong reputation for career growth and its commitment to seafarers’ well-being.”
For him, that commitment translated into something meaningful: a workplace where professional performance and personal well-being were viewed as equally important. It created an environment where growth was not measured only by promotions, but also by the ability to learn, perform, and thrive over the long term.
As the years passed, the opportunities continued to come. Training programs, new responsibilities, and the trust placed in him by leaders and colleagues helped shape his career. What he had once heard about the company eventually became his own experience.
“The career growth I heard about when I joined was not just a promise. It was real. And I experienced it myself.”
Yet the journey from junior officer to Master was not defined by titles alone.
Among the lessons that stayed with him most was the realization that leadership is learned through people. Working alongside multinational crews taught him that success at sea is not determined by background or nationality, but by competence, attitude, and a willingness to keep improving.
He adopted a simple mindset throughout his career:
“If they can do it, I can do it too.”
That mindset encouraged him to step beyond his comfort zone, embrace challenges, and continue growing even when the path ahead seemed uncertain.
There was also a moment when he realized he had found the right company for his ambitions.
“The defining moment for me was when I realized that CMA CGM truly values its crew, their needs, their well-being, and their career development.”
Knowing that support existed gave him the confidence to pursue greater responsibilities while staying true to his long-term goal.
Today, as Captain, he continues to experience that culture of support firsthand.
“As a Captain, I can truly feel the strong support from both the shipboard and shore-based teams. You know that there is always someone behind you, ready to assist and support you, especially during difficult times.”
For aspiring officers, his advice is simple and sincere.
“Dream big, and believe in yourself. If someone else can achieve it, there is no reason why you cannot do it too.”
He encourages young seafarers to embrace challenges, remain positive during difficult seasons, and never stop learning. Most importantly, he believes that a person's starting point does not determine their destination.
“Your background or where you start does not define how far you can go. Your mindset, determination, and actions do.”
Captain Jerald's story is ultimately not about reaching the rank of Master at a young age. It is about what can happen when ambition is matched with perseverance, when opportunities are met with preparation, and when growth is pursued one voyage at a time.
For the next generation of seafarers carrying their own dreams quietly into the horizon, his journey offers a simple reminder:
Growth rarely happens all at once. It happens through consistency, resilience, and the courage to keep moving forward.
