Ensign Clancy (from “Elementary, My Dear Data” and “The Emissary”)

[Mojochi]

Actually in real sea ships, civilian and military, operating the steering wheel is a job for enlisted personnel, not officers, who merely give the orders which way to steer. Of course sea ships don't have to land and take off, which requires skills more like those of airplane pilots or astronauts. But for steering ships between stars no great skill set is needed.

You'll notice that they don't often have our random conn officer of the week in the pilot seat of shuttle missions. The more experienced officers are usually handling that kind of piloting