Αγαπητή ομάδα του Project Connect ,
Θα ήθελα να σας ευχαριστήσω θερμά για τη στήριξη και την καθοδήγηση που μου προσφέρατε κατά τη διάρκεια της αναζήτησης της πρώτης μου επαγγελματικής ευκαιρίας.
Με χαρά θα ήθελα να σας ενημερώσω ότι, μετά την ολοκλήρωση της πρακτικής μου άσκησης στη ναυτιλιακή εταιρεία GAC SHIPPING όπου τοποθετήθηκα μέσω του Project Connect, μου έγινε πρόταση να συνεχίσω στην ομάδα τους. Είμαι πραγματικά ευγνώμων για αυτή την εξέλιξη.
Πιστεύω ακράδαντα ότι, χάρη στη βοήθεια και το δίκτυο του Project Connect, δίνεται στους νέους η δυνατότητα να ξεκινήσουν την καριέρα τους με αξιοκρατικό τρόπο και να κάνουν τα πρώτα τους βήματα στον χώρο της ναυτιλίας με σιγουριά και υποστήριξη.
Σας ευχαριστώ και πάλι για όλα. Εύχομαι να συνεχίσετε το σπουδαίο έργο σας, βοηθώντας κι άλλους νέους επαγγελματίες να βρουν τη θέση που τους αξίζει.
Με εκτίμηση,
Νικολέτα Ραυτοπούλου
Nikoleta Raftopoulou
PROJECT CONNECT Student Member (2025)
"Dear Ms. Irene Notias and the PROJECT CONNECT team,
I would like to sincerely thank you for the opportunity to participate in the WORK-SHIP: A Professional Readiness Workshop for Aspiring Young Shipping Industry Professionals. It was an incredible experience that helped me expand my knowledge and capabilities for a future career in shipping.
I am a student of Economics at the University of Athens, and shipping is a field that excites me and fills me with passion. My participation in the program has helped me better understand the challenges and opportunities within the industry, and it motivates me to continue preparing for the professional world.
I would like to express my gratitude for your support and for providing me with the opportunity to take part in this unique program. I hope to stay connected with PROJECT CONNECT and continue to make use of the opportunities offered through the CONNECT CV-HR PLATFORM.
Thank you once again, and I look forward to continuing this wonderful collaboration.
Best regards,
Mandalou Georgia"
Georgia Mandalou
PROJECT CONNECT Student Member (2025)"Dear Ms. Notias, Elena, Sofia, and the entire PROJECT CONNECT team,
Thank you very much for the warm message and for the opportunity to participate in the Work-Ship Professional Readiness Workshop. It was an incredibly insightful experience that offered both valuable knowledge and genuine inspiration for a career in the shipping industry.
I appreciate the Certificate of Attendance and look forward to exploring the photos and resources from the event. I’ve completed the feedback survey and would be glad to stay involved with PROJECT CONNECT’s initiatives.
Thank you once again for your guidance, support, and motivation. The quote by Seneca is truly inspiring and a great reminder to stay prepared for what lies ahead.
Wishing you all continued success in your impactful work.
Looking forward to staying connected!
Warm regards,"
Evangelos Efraim Patronas
PROJECT CONNECT Student Member (2025)"I want to thank the company for helping me find practical exercise.
I feel grateful to Project Connect because after many attempts to do my practical exercise, they chose me from your site !!"
Nikoleta Raftopoulou
PROJECT CONNECT Student Member (2025)"As a professional outside the Shipping Industry, and as I was not so young as an entry level candidate I was looking for an opportunity to start my Career to this truly amazing world. PROJECT CONNECT and Ms. Irene Notias, with all aspirational initiatives and events, gave me this opportunity through "Adopt A Ship" project. All the team, with the guidance that they gave me, gave a meaning to all this effort for a successful career transition. And the miracle happened! Currently working at a Shipping Company and I really love it. What I have to highlight is that whatever they do, they do it with passion and love and that's what the Greek Shipping Industry needs so we can keep being "The Greeks". I would like to express my heart left gratitude to all of you. Keep up the great work , linking people with the Shipping Industry and make dreams become reality!"
Katerina Margeti
PROJECT CONNECT Student Member (2024)<<Μέσω της Project Connect , ολοκλήρωσα την πρακτική μου άσκηση στο Mylaki Shipping Agency τέλος Αυγούστου. Το Mylaki για εμένα θα είναι πάντα χαραγμένο στην καρδιά μου. Ηταν η πρώτη μου δουλειά και η πρώτη μου επαφή με τον χώρο, οι συνάδελφοι μου ήταν εξαιρετικοί άνθρωποι ζεστοί και πρόθυμοι να με βοηθήσουν και να μου απαντήσουν σε όλες μου τις ερωτήσεις, αλλά και να μου δείχνουν καινούργια πράγματα συνεχώς. Έπειτα ο manager του τμήματος στο οποίο ολοκλήρωσα την πρακτική μου, είναι ο πιο καλός άνθρωπος που έχω γνωρίσει, ο πιο ευγενικός αντιμετωπίζει τα πάντα με καλοσύνη και χιούμορ ακόμα και στις πιο δύσκολες στιγμές. Στην συνέχεια το δυναμικό τους HR ήταν στην διάθεση σου πάντα να σε βοηθήσουν σε ό,τι και αν προέκυπτε δίνοντας την καλύτερη δυνατή λύση . Τέλος ο κύριος Νικόλας και Στράτος Τσαλαμανιός είναι πάντα δίπλα στους εργαζόμενους τους και τους παρέχουν τα πάντα ώστε να κάνουν όσο πιο ευχάριστο το εργασιακό περιβάλλον. >>
Rafaela Pavlaki
PROJECT CONNECT Student Member (2024)"As an internship student working at Project Connect , i would say that it was a very useful and interesting experience. I’m really grateful that Mrs. Notia and Mrs. Picha helped me on my first steps in an office work and we had a great cooperation. I also helped Project Connect at Posidonia 2024 for my first time. Finally, after 2 months working there, I’m leaving with a better knowing of the shipping industry and I’m really thankful that i was part to this non profit organization."
Theodoros Kontakiotis
PROJECT CONNECT Student Member (2024)When I first learned about Project Connect, I assumed it was just another job search platform. I soon realized that it is much more. Project Connect is a community of dedicated individuals who are eager to help, guide, and provide advice for any problem one might face. Thanks to your support, I was able to join the shipping industry and embark on my career. Special thanks to Mrs. Sofia Picha, who was always ready to help me with any challenge.
Georgios Tataridis
PROJECT CONNECT Student Member (2024)"Thank you to Project connect and Ms. Irene Notias for enhancing our generation’s employability through their programs and thank you for presenting me with the opportunity to intern at Arcadia Shipmanagement. There I learned widely about the day-to-day operations of ships and more in depth about financing and accounting through the teachings of my then colleagues in MGA/Accounts department, who are the most professional, friendly, and accepting people I’ve ever encountered and had the pleasure of working with. Finally, I’d like to express my gratitude to Mr. Mattheou who closely collaborates with Project Connect to provide these positions at Arcadia. He not only accepted me as an intern but also granted me a much-desired extension."
Dicho Dichev
PROJECT CONNECT Student Member (2021)“PROJECT CONNECT found me an internship for the summer. This internship has been such a rewarding experience as it has granted me a front-row seat to the corporate structure of a maritime shipping company and the interplay between the various departments, not just within the accounting department. The mentorship and guidance I received throughout the internship have been exceptional, skilled professionals patiently answered my questions, shared their experiences, and encouraged me to think critically. In conclusion, after two months I am leaving with a better understanding of the industry but most importantly, exposure to real-world accounting practices which will serve me well moving forward.”
Eline Kint, UK university undergrad majoring Accounting & Finance, shares her Internship experience
PROJECT CONNECT Student Member (2023)
Today marks two months since I moved to Bahrain and became a member of the GAC Group family here in Manama. I’m having lots of fun engaging with my new colleagues and getting to learn so many new aspects of the shipping industry while also adapting to this beautiful country that Bahrain is.
All of this wouldn’t have materialized without the assistance of Nikos D. Marmatsouris, FICS and PROJECT CONNECT Young Professionals in-the-Making who, after interviewing, brought me in touch with all the amazing people I needed to connect with, in order to propel my career. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I know how frustrating and nerve-wracking it can be to enter the job market as a newcomer, especially in the shipping industry where working experience is so highly sought after by employers even for entry-level positions. I’ve had my share of setbacks and if there is one piece of advice I could give, as utter cliché as it may sound, is to never give up on your dreams. If you haven't given up you haven't failed, right?
If you are an HR officer in a shipping company that looks to the future and values the enthusiasm and excitement a graduate can bring to the set, or a young professional in the making seeking to jump-start your career within the shipping industry, I would encourage you to register with PROJECT CONNECT Young Professionals in-the-Making Mrs. Irene Notias is doing a phenomenal job, spending her precious personal time on such a project that could very much be described as a social responsibility endeavor. Supporting her cause is a great way to contribute to the minimization of the graduate employability issue our industry is currently facing.
Christos Chaziroglou
PROJECT CONNECT Student Member (2022)As a student member of Project Connect, I gained an internship at the shipping company Seaven Tanker and Dry Management Inc. giving me the opportunity to work with many departments (Technical, Marine, Operation, Purchasing, Crew) and to understand the multifaceted composition of shipping. Thank you very much for this valuable experience!
Nefeli Malama
Project Connect Intern (2022)My main priority has been to learn new things and evolve to a better employee. The whole shipping internship experience at a large shipping company has been very rewarding and worthwhile. During the lockdown period, the company gave me a laptop to practice from home. All the employees have been willing to assist and share their knowledge. I thank them and PROJECT CONNECT for this experience.
Harry Simantiris
Project Connect Intern (2020)Project Connect, thank you for helping me to find this opportunity at the American P&I Club.
It was a great experience, since I learned the essential principles of working in a office and other materials that helped me move forward few baby steps towards my entry in Shipping Sector.
This internship has definitely increased my interest in pursuing a career in shipping. I would love to stay in touch, finding other internships or jobs opportunities that will help me gain more experience in this field.
Another thing i am grateful for, is the help i received in order to prepare for my interview. When I did the interview, I was much more relaxed and prepared and that helped me a lot with my answers.
Once again thank you for the opportunity.
Amanda Birca
Project Connect Intern, 2018My internship experience at Dianik Ship Management has been priceless. It has given me real work experience in the most major departments of a shipping company (Ops, Tech, Finance and Chartering). Other things that I have valued most about my internship at DSM include, but not limited to, the nice and supportive working environment and colleagues. I want to thank Project Connect and especially Ms. Notias for giving me “to the point“ advice and the chance to get this internship.
Thank you Project Connect!!!
Theodore T.
Project Connect Intern, 2017
I will be totally honest. When I came to you I expected a boring session where I would be the one doing all the talking while receiving diplomatic answers that would try to make you appealing, boost my confidence and ego and have me coming back for more. Instead, I got a nice and much needed kick in the teeth.
While I already knew about most (not all) of the stuff that we discussed, I feel that I gained a lot. Firstly, I was able to get my priorities list straight. To quote your words, I’ve been putting too much emphasis on ‘shallow’ job searching while I neglected aspects that can make an individual stand out. Moreover, I had the chance to confirm some bad habits of mine during interviews that have potentially harmed me in the past. I also had the chance to hear a professional opinion regarding the aspect of job-hunting in other countries and rethink the methods that I’ve been using up until today. Finally and most importantly I realized that due to my past failures I gradually started to doubt myself and lose my interest to work in this sector, reducing my efforts and doing self-sabotage in the process. I will strive to never let that happen again and I consider this the biggest benefit that I got from today’s session.
Anastasios Galanis
Project Connect Candidate, 2016Project Connect was the first organization that helped me a lot in respect of job opportunities in the Shipping industry.I had the honor as member of the Project Connect team to meet people who had valuable experience in shipping and I am sure that in the future these people will give me the chance to gain important experience and knowledge.I would like to thank especially Ms Katia Galouka as I had my first interview from the beginning of our cooperation and she gave me all her know-how in order to improve my CV and forward to the shipping companies.I am convinced that the whole team of Project Connect will help me in respect of my upcoming career in the Shipping industry.I feel so grateful for your support and your contribution.Thank you very much!
Alexandros Xenos
Project Connect Candidate, 2016All started at Posidonia 2016, where I was given a flyer of PROJECT CONNECT. During that time, I was desperately seeking for placement in a shipping company for my university internship, as I had only two weeks left to find one. In those two weeks, Ms Katia Galouka interviewed me extensively, helped me re-edit my CV and finally, Project Connect found me an internship place in a well known ship-management company specializing in the dry cargo sector with a fleet that exceeds ten vessels. Currently, I totally enjoy every day at the company’s offices and try to learn the most from the ingenious employees that I cooperate. In conclusion, I feel really grateful for finding PROJECT CONNECT just before my professional career start. Special thanks to Ms Katia Galouka!
Spiros Zoumpourlis
Project Connect Intern, 2016I was amazed when my telephone rang and on the other side of the line was the HR Department of the Angelakos Hellas S.A. without even having to hand in my CV. I immediately realized that it was PROJECT CONNECT that helped me, as I was interviewed by them through the 22nd Career Forum last September. I strongly believe that Ms Pavlopoulou gave me a lot of help and boosted me into fulfilling my professional ambitions. I now feel more confident and I know that I can rely on PROJECT CONNECT whenever I seek any further assistance.
George Nicodemos
Intern, 2014Ms Capnissi gave me helpful advice for succeeding in an interview and fulfilling my professional ambition. The meeting was a great experience for me and she helped me understand what the market is looking for in a candidate. She was full of confidence and passion and made me adopt this attitude. I deeply believe that her advice will help me make my dreams come true!
Dionysia Christodoulaki
Candidate, 2014I found the seminar ""CREATE YOUR SUCCESS STORY IN SHIPPING" really helpful. It made me understand how to prepare myself in order to find a job in this field. I would definitely recommend it to anyone with no work experience but with the ambition to enter the shipping industry. But except for the seminar, I would like to congratulate Ms Notias, for this initiative, because it opened new horizons in my career. Hr interest and passion to help young people get involved in the shipping industry is outstanding. With her assistance, I found an internship that helped me gain experience and a competitive privilege in the business field.
Iliannia Chartzala
Entry Level Candidate, 2014I graduated from NTUA in 2011, as a Naval Architect and Marine Engineer. By that time, jobs were already very hard to find. I spent quite a few months unemployed. I always kept an eye open for job openings from the newspaper and internet, but there was rarely any response to my efforts. In the end, I got a dead end job working as an assistant in an office remotely connected to shipping.
I was fortunate enough to cross paths with you. Shortly after, you sent me an e-mail regarding a job offer, an actual job offer. Two interviews later I got the job. Thank you for opening the door for me in an industry, where being introduced is essential. Proper professional guidance and an opportunity is all a young candidate needs. That is exactly what PROJECT CONNECT provides.
I wish you you all the best!!
Katerina Spyropoulou
Entry Level Candidate, 2014PROJECT CONNECT has gone beyond a service for me. Irene Notias, the founder of PROJECT CONNECT, and her exceptionally trained staff, understand the requirements for every business as well as the abilities of every candidate. I would like to put emphasis on two aspects. One is the friendly relation we developed, as the team is truly concerned that is committed to find the best compromise to all interested parties. Secondly, I also want to remark on the great concern and availability shown after the process. After a term of only 3 weeks, I was sitting on my new office, at my new job, surrounded by great people. As Aristotle Onassis once said, “To succeed in business, it is necessary to make others see things as you see them”. Irene Notias is a great example of these wise words, for the reason that she manages to keep Greece’s Shipping Industry connected in the greatest way helping out people like me and you.
Renee Tsirlis
(currently working in Shipping through Project Connect), 2015The seminar "CREATE YOUR SUCCESS STORY IN SHIPPING" gave me important guidance for my career planning which I had never had before! Ms Notias and Ms Perpinia helped me gain an understanding of the shipping industry and redefine my career strategy in the way I could approach a future employer in this field. They also gave me valuable insights on what qualifications a shipping company is looking for in a perspective employee. I believe it has opened a new circle in my career searching prospects, which I would like to continue, with the assistance of the CONNECT team in the near future.
Panagiotis Deligiannis
Candidate, 2014I really enjoyed attending the seminar "CREATE YOUR SUCCESS STORY IN SHIPPING" . It was valuable because I had the chance to enrich my knowledge in the shipping industry. I was given very useful tips on how to have successful interviews as well as on how to be more productive and efficient in the working environment. As a result, it was a beneficial experience which built the foundations for a successful career.
Michael Darby
Candidate, 2014PROJECT CONNECT was the link that i needed for the shipping industry!
I would like to thank all the PROJECT CONNECT team and especially Ms Notias for the guidance and the interview simulation. Everything was very educative and valuable for me. PROJECT CONNECT helped me find an internship in a shipping company. I wish you all the best!
George-Marios Tsertos
Project Connect Intern, 2015When I started looking to join the shipping industry, everyone was telling me that I need a link to the shipping business.
PROJECT CONNECT offered to me exactly that!
The full support started with CV and interview advice, workshops and discussions and after that, I know that my CV was circulated to many companies through personal attempts of Mrs Notias and the rest of the PROJECT CONNECT staff. Meanwhile, the PROJECT CONNECT team was always there if I needed advice or any other help while seeking for a job. Finally, they continue to show interest in me and my career, even after I secured a job in London. All these lead me to say that I truly recommend to everyone that really want to work in the shipping industry to contact PROJECT CONNECT
Ioannis V.
(currently working in Shipping), 2014Everything started three years ago when I won the internship award that was organized by Project Connect.
Afterwards I began working as trainee at the same company where I continue my career right now. Recently I have been promoted as a Manager to my Department. I would like to thank the Project Connect that helped me so much at beginning of my career.
Vivi N.