Students at Providence Elementary and Secondary Schools were treated to an eye-opening glimpse into the world of work yesterday, as the institution held an Inaugural Career Showcase, an event designed to broaden horizons and ignite ambition among its young learners.
Held at the school in St George, the showcase brought together representatives from a diverse range of industries, giving students the chance to interact directly with professionals and explore career paths they may never have previously considered.
Camila de Wit, chair of the board of management at Providence School, said the event was about far more than simply pointing students toward traditional professions.
“We have all kinds of careers here, from health care to construction to the canine division to vets, optometrists – all kinds,” she said. “We’re exposing our students to different ways of working; some things are tactile, some things are business.”
De Wit said entrepreneurship also featured prominently.
“We’re exposing them to being their own boss, having their own company and teaching them what they should be studying here at Providence but also what they could be studying once they leave our classrooms.”
The event drew a strong turnout of organisations and businesses. The Barbados Defence Force and the Barbados Police Service had a significant presence, bringing with them the Drone Unit, the Police Band and the Canine Section. The Republic Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank were also represented, alongside professionals from psychology and the beauty industry.
Perhaps the most headline-grabbing attendee was Zane Maloney, Barbadian Formula E driver, who spoke to students about his journey to the top of motorsport.
Students were given career passports to collect information at each booth, encouraging them to engage with presenters even when unsure what questions to ask. The strategy proved a hit, with smiles visible on students across the school grounds. (DDS)
