The Lions Club of George-town d’Urban Park will host its Annual Career Fair today at the Girl Guides Pavilion, at Brickdam.
The fair will see 30 booths, with exhibitors ranging from government ministries, local businesses and professional consulting agencies.
Jocelyn Josiah, Coordinator for the d’Urban Park Club, told Stabroek News that for years the fair has brought together South Georgetown Secondary Schools and potential employers.
She noted that the career fair is aimed at students who will write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations in the next few years. Josiah said that “this fair is a way for the students to see the range of careers out there; we want to get them before they write exams.”
She added that a career fair assists students by educating them on the various requirements necessary in pursuing different careers. “We want them thinking out of the box and trying to expose them to all of their opportunities,” Josiah stated. She said that “different government ministries will be there, mining, tourism, agriculture… these areas all have a wide range
of careers and showing students that there are a lot of different opportunities and not just the regular ones is the aim.”
Josiah stated that many businesses that participate on an annual basis are community-based, such as Steve’s Jewellery, Acme Photo Studio and various hair salons. She said that the professional agencies seemed to be very useful in educating students and encouraging volunteerism and preparatory skills. “What I remember was seeing a student put on one of the robes from the Women Lawyers Association and thinking they are showing interest and that is the first step to picking a career,” Josiah noted. She said that organisations like the Institute of
Private Enterprise Development (IPED) and the Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE) have year after year opened doors for students and have provided internships and volunteer opportunities, creating interest in various fields.
“We want students to begin relationships with these businesses and organisations so they can know who to go to for follow ups and internships,” Josiah stated, while adding that networking skills were becoming essential in today’s job market.
Students from 12 are expected to attend the fair: Brickdam Secondary; Freeburg Secondary; Dolphin Secondary; David Rose Community High School; Carmel Secondary; Charlestown Secondary; St Stanislaus College; East Ruimveldt Secondary; North Ruimveldt Secondary; South Ruimveldt Secondary, Lodge Secondary; and Tucville Secondary.
