Third to fifth form students of St George Secondary School were reminded that any skill has the potential to be a service.
It was part of the advice from guidance counsellor and organiser of the school’s career showcase, Cyrilene Willoughby, last week.
“The general idea was to open up to them the opportunities out there and to recognise that every skill that they have can be put to use in some way.”
Willoughby said the showcase should get them to step outside the box instead of saying they wanted to be in a particular professsion or developing an office mentality. For example, cosmetology students were directed towards funeral homes.
Third form students are expected to select their options for subjects at the CXC level next week and Willoughby said most of them said the showcase really fired up their imagination.
One student said she wanted to be a cosmetologist but after seeing the display of the Barbados Fire Service she wants to become a fire cadet, leading to a career in the service.
On hand was the Barbados Postal Service and assistant postal superintendent of customer services Jacinta Browne explained that the agency did more than sell stamps or deliver mail.
Sergeant Roland Cobbler, of the Police Force’s Community Relations Division, said the officers on hand represented the Traffic Division, Special Service Unit and the marine section. They spoke on the academics and requirements for getting into the force.
Using a drug kit, the officers told students about the different types of illegal drugs and the harm they do.
Cosmetologist Althea Thompson said the programme included hair, nail, skin and foot care and was a basic introduction to the cosmetology field in which students could also specialise. (LK)