Throughout the course of the school day on Thursday March 12th, hundreds of students filled the Rodney McArthur Rey Auditorium to tour the various booths that had been set up by many public entities participating in the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School’s Careers Fair.
Some students attended out of a sense of curiosity; many of them came with a high level of interest; but most of them came to take advantage of the event that would give them insight as they sought their own career directions. Careers Fair is a special feature of the school that offers career options to students from 1st Form to 6th Form, and enables them to find interest in various fields of work so that they can choose a suitable career path for their future.
According to Careers Fair Coordinator, Mrs. Anita Martin-Ruan, this was the first presentation of a Careers Fair since the onslaught of Hurricane Irma in 2017. She said: “We are so happy that we were able to bring this Fair back. We should have as many as thirty-five career areas represented here today. This is a little down from our last Fair in 2017, but it is still very good, and it makes for a great display of the various fields that our students can be interested in.”
When asked what was the aim of such a Fair, she responded: “The purpose of this kind of Fair is to expose our students to various career possibilities, so that when they are choosing subject areas they can do so coming from an informed position.”
The Anguillian visited many of the booths and spoke with their operators, all of whom were more than willing to share with us the nature of their work, and to express how pleased they were to be on site to be of benefit to the students in making career decisions.
We spoke with Mr. Ralph Johnson, Chief Firearms Instructor in the Royal Anguilla Police Force, who said: “I am a firearms instructor, and I conduct firearms and personal protection training. In our display today, the youngsters come and look at the various types of equipment which we use for protection. These include items such as body armour, ballistic helmets, goggles, Tasers, batons, etc. As expected, the children are quite interested in what we are displaying. They ask a lot of questions, and we are able to inform them and guide them in case they desire to make firearms protection a career.”
Ms Joya Hodge and Mrs Anita Martin-Ruan 
Head of the Forensics Department in the RAPF, Mr. Duquaine Brooks, also spoke about his field of work: “My work comprises Digital Forensics as well as Crime Scene Investigation. Here on display we have digital forensics apparatus as well as crime scene investigative equipment. Today, we are giving the children an idea of the various fields in this line of work. The children are quite interested in this area, having seen CSI on television, and so our displays here have sparked their interests.”
Speaking with Mr. Lanvin Gumbs of the Customs Department, he told The Anguillian that it was a remarkable and interactive morning with the students. He noted: “So far, many of the students asked why we have to search bags in such detail, and what exactly we look for. For some reason, people feel that when we search we are only looking for items to charge the traveller on – so that government can receive revenues. But we also have a responsibility to search for prohibited and restrictive items in order to protect society.”
Ms. Shernika Connor of Anguilla Finance expressed how delighted she was to be on hand to give the students guidance in the kind of work that she does. She explained: “Anguilla Finance is the entity responsible for the marketing and promotion of the financial services industry in Anguilla. Due to the creation of financial services courses at school, there is a growing interest among the students in the financial services industry.”
She continued, “This interest is very important because, just like every industry, we need to have persons engrafted in the financial services area. I find that the students are very much into this area, but they are not so much aware of what financial services entail, so I am here for the sixth year to guide them in the important work of this field, and to show them the many wonderful opportunities that exist in this area. However, we have a lot of work to do in sensitizing these students to the functions of financials services.”
The Anguillian also spoke with Mr. Allister Richardson of Two Sons Funeral Home. He commented: “My impressions today are quite positive. I am pleased to see the interest that the students have in the area of mortician work. I am delighted to be answering the questions they pose concerning what an undertaker’s work entails from the death bed to the grave, in terms of what I do. There are variations that can take place throughout the proceedings, so I am pleased to explain to the students the process.”
Also on hand was UWI Open Campus. Country Manager, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks who noted: “Some of the students informed us that they are already checking out UWI Open Campus online. What is of interest for the students, in particular, is the access to the university at large. Once they have enrolled in our Open Campus they can decide to do portions of their studies at St. Augustine’s in Trinidad, Mona in Jamaica, or at the Cave Hill Campus in Barbados.”
Dr. Banks went on: “The students will receive great support here in Anguilla. They are quite interested about the cost factor and the possibility of manageable payment plans. I am very excited that the students are thinking the way they do. They are putting it in the context of complementing their work and profession with their studies. This is what UWI Open Campus is all about.”
The Anguilla Community College, represented by Acting Director of Humanities, Mrs. Michel Romney, also weighed in. She observed: “The students seem to be quite engaged as they move around to visit the various booths. Those who have visited us were a combination, in that some had no idea of what their career might be, while others were already resolute as to what their career paths entail. We were able to give them an overview of the features that we offer. Many found that these can be a stepping stone to their actual careers. We were also able to explain our cost saving advantage in doing a couple of years in local studying – before having to go away for schooling.”
For the most part, the students expressed that they thought the Careers Fair was very beneficial in helping them make up their minds on choosing a career. They appreciated Careers Fair Coordinator, Mrs. Anita Martin-Ruan, and her Assistant, Ms. Joya Hodge, for spearheading the event.
- Staff Reporter James R. Harrigan
