Rei Misa - Graduate Case Study

Rei Misa graduated in 2024 with an MSC in Maritime Operations Management and now works as a Claims Executive for an organisation that deal with claims handling.

Tell about your current role and what it involves:

As a Claims Executive my daily tasks include handling different types of claims in marine field such as cargo claims, crew claims, shortage claims, defence claims, collision and many other types. I provide support to our clients by finding the right contacts in different parts of the world. Most claims that I deal with happen usually in East Asia, North Africa, Black Sea, and Europe. The final target of handling a claim successfully is to settle it with just a small amount for the client to pay.

What three things you like about your job:

1. Very dynamic job
2. It forces you to make new connections through meetings, events and email exchanges
3. Not a single day is the same because there are days that you may not face new claims, but there are days when you face 10 claims in one hour that come from 10 different countries

What did the application or selection process involve, and how did you prepare for each stage?

• 1^st stage – Phone call with the HR
• 2^nd stage – First interview with Claims Manager and Director of Claims
• 3^rd stage – Second interview with Head of Legal Claims and a Senior Claims Executive
• 4^th stage – Confirmation call from HR and contract signing

Did you access any help and support from the Student Futures Team?

Best advice of Student Futures Team was that they helped me to tailor my CV as per UK employers’ style and how to highlight the most relevant skills and experiences.

What relevant work experience / skills / volunteering / Student Union activities did you refer to during the selection process?

1. Work experience – P&I Club correspondent, marine surveyor, deck cadet on General Cargo ship
2. Skills – Maritime law knowledge, Negotiation, Risk assessment, Problem-solving
3. Volunteering – Liverpool Propeller Club, Nautical Institute
4. Student Union – LJMU Walking Society, Hiking Club

What aspects of your degree were particularly useful in the selection process?

Most of the modules that I studied during my degree were relevant to the job that I currently do. The modules helped me to develop the above-mentioned skills.

What advice would you give to other students to improve their employability?

Learn how to sell yourself during job application process. Most of the time the employers appreciate your attitude and self-confidence instead of distinction marks. Of course, that they are a bonus but they are useless if not combined with self-confidence and positive attitude during the interview.

Would you do anything differently if you were a first-year student again?

I would remove 2 hours from my sleeping hours and add it to all activities I did, and also would join more societies. Student life at LJMU is one of the best and this is the time when you should enjoy every single second.

Support from the Student Futures team 

If you want to talk about potential careers options with your degree, need help finding opportunities or want support with your CV, application forms or preparing for an interview, you can get advice and guidance by booking a 30-minute 1-2-1 careers meeting with a Careers and Employability Adviser from the LJMU Student Futures Team.  You can also come along to a Careers drop-in or CV Café which take place weekly at the Careers Zones for quick careers queries.

If you are thinking about starting a business, freelancing, pursuing a side-hustle or have an idea that you want to explore further, email the Start-up Hub and a member of the team will be back in touch, or visit the Start-up Hub website.

For help finding part-time, temporary or casual you can fit around your studies, email the Unitemps team or visit their website.