Abstract
The structural components of the future marine engineers’ professional image have been identified in the article: motivation-targeted, content-oriented, reflective and communicative. Thus, under the motivation-target component, the authors describe professional motivation, satisfaction from material needs and a motive for personal image. In accordance with the requirements of the STCW Convention, at the operation level, the content-oriented component is indicated by sufficient future marine engineers’ competence in information technologies alongside their skills to use them. It has been determined that according to the communicative component, a bachelor-marine engineer with a high level of readiness for intercultural communication is more competitive in the labour market and has significant advantages as follows: can recognise and overcome barriers to intercultural communication; can anticipate and quickly resolve various conflict situations; can creatively use his / her knowledge in profession-related activities as well as ethical norms and rules of conduct with representatives of other cultures. It has been proved that in terms of forming the reflective component of the marine engineers` professional image, it is expedient to cover these components: sufficient theoretical baggage, which is formed by the future marine engineer within training and self-education; bringing practical skills of performing basic actions on ship equipment control to automatism; the ability to analyse actions, make decisions in dangerous and emergency situations, the ability to self-analyse their actions; the ability to draw conclusions based on the results of analysis and work experience, etc. The authors of the article pay attention to the urgency of the problem and the need to provide the educational process with scientific and methodological recommendations aimed at the formation of the professional image of marine engineers, which provides an integrated approach to solve the problem under focus, to involve academic staff and highly qualified specialists of seagoing vessels.