BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Basseterre High School held a Career Week of Activities from Jan. 23-26 and featured a Career Fair which took place on Thursday, Jan. 26 at the school grounds.
The Career Week was organized by the Guidance and Counseling Department at the school and according to the Head of the Department, Bishop Ron Collins, the Career Week was to sensitize students on their career choices and the requirements needed.
“It was also for those who have not thought seriously about their careers… to encourage them into thinking about them, and not just aimlessly move through high school, but for them to have subject choices that best reflects their job career choice,” he said.
He said Monday (Jan. 23) marked the opening by Analdo Bailey of the Eastern Caribbean Financial Institute, and it was also their Professional Dress-up Day where the students from Forms 1-5, dressed for their intended careers.
“We had persons turn up as nurses, police, hairdressers, lawyers, all levels of education, even preachers,” he said.
On Tuesday they had a series of “Career lectures” to all classes, from 9:00 a.m.-10:15 a.m. when a number of presenters came and spoke to them about career choices.
“Some persons were from financial institutions, Guidance and Counseling, the Peace Corps, and some were educators and business professionals, and we used young people who had just gone through college or who have their own business to speak to the students as well.
“We’re encouraging entrepreneurship as well,” he said.
Collins also said that on Wednesday, Second Form students were given multiple intelligence tests which will help them to see what area of interest they have for careers and assist them in selecting subjects for Third Form.
Also on Wednesday the School held a debate on: “The School/Education System is adequately preparing students for the world of work”.
“We were impressed with the attendance and turn out of parents. Students from third to fourth forms debated and we had parliamentarians officiating, judging, time keeping and monitoring. The debate will also help us with reinstituting our debating society next month.”
At the Career Fair there were over 20 career choices which included representatives from the Security branches, Tourism industry, and representatives from higher learning including the University of the West Indies and the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College.
“It has been successful and has really caused students to look in the direction of a career; the week of activities created career awareness and has caused those who have not been thinking about it, to start,” Collins said.
One of the careers showcased was done by Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and according to Sergeant Travis Rogers, Head of the Narcotics Unit, which is also known as the Drug Squad and includes the K-9 Unit, their demonstration was to desist potential criminals from crime.
Rogers said that the dogs enhance their search and makes it easier for them to find weapons and illegal substances.
“Just wanted to warn the people to desist from criminal activities and show what we can do when we utilize our dogs. The dogs are effective and have good capabilities and the demonstration was also to show the students that they can join the police force and be a member of the K-9 unit.”
