A Chat About Life

Wed, Nov 2nd 2011, 11:48 AM

Kristof Murphy has dreams of becoming a biologist.  To make his dream a reality, he knew he had to do well in Biology and Math classes -- what he didn't know was that he also had to do well in Physics.  Now he does, after participating in "Career Chatroom" at his school.  The Doris Johnson High School 12th grader says speaking with a professional in the engineering field and learning what he has to do to succeed in his dreams has made him more aware of what he has to do.

"I currently do alright, but now I am really focused on doing even better so I can make my dream come true," says Murphy.  "I like 'Career Chatroom' because it lets you see what is out there and makes you aware of how you will get where you want to go in life, and even how interesting other fields you never considered could actually be.  It is really helpful and gets you on the right path especially if you hadn't thought about it before."

Career Chatroom is an initiative by the school's guidance department to offer the students something that is innovative, different and educational during their lunch break for one month.  Career Chatroom began in mid-October and runs through November 14, with sessions held three days per week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays through Monday, November 14.

"Since October was national career awareness month we wanted to do something special that carried over into the following month, so the awareness isn't something confined," said Phyllis Woodside, guidance coordinator at Doris Johnson High School.  "Coordinating this was quite a challenge, especially because I didn't want to bring in [speakers for] the traditional kinds of careers.  I wanted the students to be aware of the many different [careers] out there."

The students listened to addresses from the country's only cave diver, marine biologist, Nikita Shiel-Rolle, who participated in National Geographic expeditions in 2010, and has been featured in National Geographic magazine.  Shiel-Rolle, who is also an underwater photographer has published a  book "Islands of the Sun".

United States Marine Corps Marine Sargeant Travis Rolle, who has Bahamian heritage, also addressed the students.  They were fascinated with the marine, who has completed four tours of duty in Iraq, and one tour in Afghanistan.  Rolle, who is also a green belt martial arts instructor, also worked in Korea, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia.  He is presently working in Japan.

They also heard an address from graphic designer and entrepreneur Derek Smith III. Electrical engineer and entrepreneur, Roger Lewis who has a master's degree in physics, also captured their attention; as did Elgin Hepburn, a curator in charge of the Coral and Beach Towers at Atlantis.

Sports director at 103.5 Sports Radio, Marcellus Hall, who played basketball at the national level and reported at the 2000 Sydney Australia Olympic Games also spoke to the eager students.

"It is so important to expose students to people who are different and going out on the limb.  We need more entrepreneurs and creative minds and that is what chatroom is trying to stimulate. The students are really reacting well to these sessions and it has been great so far."

Fifteen-year-old Channon Pennicooke, has not missed a session since the program began on Monday, October 17. The tenth grader says it's never too early to find out about job possibilities for her future.

"Coming to chatroom means a lot to me because it allows me to learn about other jobs and career paths I otherwise wouldn't have known about.  I hope to one day get an encounter in each of the different careers we've learnt about so far.  It's really always fun and interactive and so far I think the session I liked the most was the one with the [aquarist] from Atlantis.  

The session was so good it went over time and we didn't get to finish, but it does give me a lot to think about.  I am really glad I attended."  The aquarist session has inspired the student to want to try to pursue a summer job in the field so she can investigate all it has to offer. Hugh Sands says the sessions opened his eyes to the possibilities of available jobs.

"It is normal to limit yourself to pursuing a job as a police officer, doctor or lawyer, but the unique jobs the different presenters showcased in the program really have me rethinking my path," said the 14-year-old tenth grader.  His favorite session was presented by Marine Sargent Travis Rolle who completed four tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, and who is also a martial arts instructor and had the opportunity to be stationed in Korea, Thailand, The Philippines, Indonesia and is currently working in Japan. Atlantis aquarium curator Elgin Hepburn, supports the program and its aim.

"I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to speak to students and inspire them to see what my field has to offer," he says. "When most people think about working at a hotel, they are limited in their views.  They think of being a maid, busboy, doorman or front desk employee, but there is so much more to this field than most people would realize.  I think this program really helps students look twice at the different careers and fields of work out there.  I had a lot of fun telling the students about my job and the fact that I didn't even know it existed until I got in the field.  I think getting our youth to really look at work differently will help them to diversify and really think outside the box."

Preparing for your future is not something students should wait until the "final hour" to take a look at.  With this in mind, administrators at Doris Johnson High School took a special interest in encouraging their tenth through twelfth graders to decide on their paths so they would know how best to tackle their future plans, and the school's "Career Chatroom" initiative was born.

With founder and CEO of Creative Wealth Bahamas, Keshelle Kerr, female pilot Phylecia Bethel and boxer Jermaine "Chu Chu" Mackey addressing students during "Career Chatroom," in the coming weeks, Woodside is happy with the interest the students have shown.  Even on days when there aren't any sessions, she says students still come together to chat and talk about their career plans with their peers.  The counsellor says when students started doing that on their own after the first few sessions she knew the program was working and students were finally taking an active interest in life after school and how they plan to make a successful transition.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

 Sponsored Ads