In an interview with The Anguillian on the site of this year’s Career Day at the Rodney McArthur Auditorium on Thursday, March 11th, the Honourable Minister of Education, Ms. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers said she was quite impressed with the event.
“From my experience, I think this Careers Day obliterates all others,” she stated. “It is a very well organised event. We have representation from across the industries here, speaking to the students, and whetting their appetites as to what fields of endeavour they can pursue in the real world. We need to continue to have these events so that we can sensitise our students with regard to various possibilities out there in the arena of work.”
The students for the most part were indeed interested in the displays at the various tables. Whether it was police work, interior decorating, fire fighting, sound and light for stage performances, vocal enhancements for singing as a career, or even undertaking at funeral homes, the students were enthused over the fact that the school had provided this opportunity where they could catch a glimpse into the real world of work.
The Anguillian moved around the room and spoke with some of the proprietors of various businesses and the officers of varied departments to glean what they were offering the students as possible career directions. They were all willing to give a description of the kind of work that they do, and expressed how content they were to be able to come in this setting to mingle with the students.
We first spoke with Mrs. Stacy Porter who is engaged in voice training: “My company’s name is Serenity Singing Centre,” she said. “I specialise in training voices singing and performing on stage. I do music theory as well and coach the singers through their songs, and I also help to enhance the overall quality of the potential artist’s performance. Once the potential artist creates a niche, then there is a great market in singing.”
Next we spoke with Officer Marcell Dottin of the Royal Anguilla Police Force. She explained what she was encouraging the students to persue the field of law enforcement. “We are here to explain to the students the various departments within the force,” she said. “We have eight different departments: the prosecution Department; Professional Standards Department; Community Relations Department; Beat and Patrol Department; Traffic Department; Corporate Development Department; and the Criminal Investigation Department. The students are quite interested in policing as a career and, as a role model, I always point them to the career of Mr. Keithly Benjamin, who started out as a police officer, rose to Police Commissioner, and is now a Senior Magistrate.”
Ms. Farrah Banks was also on hand from Radio Anguilla. Asked her response, she commented: “So far the participation is great. I feel like the time is too short though, and so I have to try to force a lot of information through to the students. But there is evidently much interest in radio work as a career.
“I am trying to tell them about the many benefits in radio work, and particularly the various options of journalism. I also hint to them the kind of subjects they should focus on for a career in this field—English A, English B, Theatre Arts, Integrated Technology, etc. I do my best to boost their interest in radio communications, and I make them aware that the dissemination of news is changing everyday, and it would be a great thing for them to work as news reporters.”
The Anguillian also spoke to Ms. Isabel Rosario, who is an avid agriculturalist. She said: “I just believe in food security. It is a field that we all should be interested in. I like the fact that I can eat what I produce. It is a passion that I enjoy. So, today I am pushing the importance of agriculture to the students. I am seeing a certain degree of interest, but I think it is a matter of how they view agriculture. In my view the students need to be properly educated in the importance of agriculture.”
The Chief Coordinator of the Careers Day Programme, Mrs. Anita Martin-Ruan, commented: “Today is really good, although some of our participating organisations did not show up. Some of the hotels in particular, are missing due to their closure as a result of COVID-19, but altogether Careers Day is still a great success. I am really excited, and I am impressed by the booths and the interest of the students. I am very satisfied with the way the presenters are engaging the students. I would like to say thanks to all the organisations here today, and I am thankful for the assistance of my colleagues, Joya Vanterpool and Tanasha Brooks.”
The entire student body of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School is exposed to Careers Day each year. Different forms attend the career displays at the Rodney McArthur Auditorium over the course of the entire day.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
