system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[Star Trek]it's 2147 and you're a 24 yr old with an associate degree in engineering, your goal in life is to see as many planets as possible. Are you better off applying to star fleet and hoping you eventually end up on an NX ship, or are your chances better if you just sign onto a freighter crew?
gpt
At that time-prior to the Romulan War-United Earth Starfleet (UES) was still relatively small compared to its potential allies (Vulcans and Andorians). However, because it was small, most of its development was in line ships, rather than support ships. 

The merchant fleet was far larger (though not nearly the size of the same Tellarite industry), but the “boomer” fleet was far slower than most of the UES’ line ships (including the NX “Enterprise” class). It could take many months and even years between ports of call, and if you served on a corporate ship, you probably found yourself on a pendulum or triangle route, limiting the scope of planets you’d be exposed to within say a 10 year period. 

I’d say your best shot is Starfleet. Your drive to see new destinations mirrors that of the fleet. Even if you start off on a NV “Triton/Intrepid” class ship (limited in range), with stalwart career management, you should end up on one of the handful NX explorers by your 2nd or 3rd tour, with the leadership experience to be on landing parties.