It's a vexing question that faces every young Bermudian after the euphoria of the high school graduation ceremony has subsided.

What am I going to do next? While some opt for the traditional fields of law, medicine and accountancy, others, like 21-year-old Mr. Dale Brangman, decide to change tack. Not once but twice.

He started as a mathematics major at Oakwood College and Alabama A&M in the United States, doing a year at each school.

When he returned home, he visited the Department of Marine and Ports and asked for a list of accredited colleges that specialise in nautical affairs.

From this list he chose the Nova Scotia Community College in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia.

He began the year-long programme last September and this week he embarked on an eight-week practical course on board the MV Oleander .

"I'm excited,'' he told The Royal Gazette . "I don't know what to expect but I will take it one day at a time.

"Not many people pick the sea as a career, but I went on my own to find out for myself what it is all about.'' Mr. Brangman's search for help to reach his career goal took him further than the Department of Marine and Ports.

He visited Mr. Robert Lewis, vice president of Container Ship Management, last Christmas and they sat down and discussed his options.

Impressed both by Brangman's initiative and his interest in going to sea, Mr.

Lewis called his tutor at the community college and together they developed a schedule to complement the instruction he received in class.

After approval from the board of directors, Container Ship Management agreed to immerse Mr. Brangman in an eight-week practical course.

"This is the first time in our 15-year history, we're in our 16th year now, but we are very pleased with this,'' he explained. "In fact we have extended an invitation to this college and any other college where Bermudians are enrolled, that offers nautical studies.

"We are willing to work along with them.'' For Mr. Brangman, who spent his first eight hours on board ship on Monday, it promises to be a challenge.

He will start at eight o'clock each morning and report to the MV Oleander's chief mate.

Thereafter he will spread his time between wheelhouse duties, watch keeping, navigation and the engine room.

"At the end of his eight weeks he will have the broadest possible knowledge of what goes on on the vessel,'' Captain Johan Vrolyk said.

"We will give him a taste of every job, except perhaps the galley!'' Fortunately for Mr. Brangman, the Nova Scotia Community College has just begun a three-year accredited programme which will start in the fall of 1995.

Should he complete that successfully -- and his eight-week stint aboard the MV Oleander will count a long way -- he will become a first mate according to Canadian standards.

However, this is not enough for him to carry the rank in Bermuda because its standards derive from the United Kingdom.

Consequently, he will need to endure an additional 16 months sea time before he can earn that rank.

"I would encourage Dale, and any other young Bermudians interested in this work to get as broad an experience at sea as they can,'' Mr. Lewis continued.

"That means they should try to work on other ships, visit and work on other ports and different environments.'' WELCOME ABOARD -- Captain Johan Vrolyk welcomes Mr. Dale Brangman, 21, on board the MV Oleander . Mr. Brangman, who is a student at the Nova Scotia Community College has just begun an eight-week practical exercise on board the ship.