Dear Editor,
On these miserable hot summer days, with intermittent heavy downpour, flooding, monkey pox and Covid still sticking its ugly head above ground, many still believe the world is coming to an end. Have a look at the James Webb Telescope on YouTube (JWST) and ponder the vastness of this universe from recent pictures. I am an Afro Guyanese still trying to figure out how I fit into this vast universe.
In my 30 plus years of interaction within senior management in Mexico, USA, Japan, Canada, Finland, Sweden, England, Bermuda, Germany, China, Thailand, I learnt something. What subjects in college and high school offers you the best options for success in a global world. Granted I have stepped into many boardrooms during my career and saw firsthand the secret to success. Simple language (no big word) and the ability to do arithmetic computations without a pen or calculator. Congrats to our high school graduates on their recent successes, after not being in classroom for a year it looks like distance learning have advantages over classroom learning.
However, it is not the number of courses it’s the ones the world needs, use and want. As you head to College writings skills (proper grammar), proper spoken English, Arithmetic (+, -, x, \, %) are prerequisites, some basic Geometry, History and Geography knowledge are complimentary. Don’t know how Algebra, calculus, really fits in – never used them when speaking or working with a CEO of a Fortune 500 company in any of the countries above. Granted you will have a leg up knowing some “Biology, a bit of Chemistry, Physics, etc.” and naturally basic understanding of how a computer works. Everything else can be garnered from life experience. Make sure you are proficient in MS Office suite early (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) you will be a step ahead of others. Subjects like Philosophy, Psychology, and Sociology are complementary – but if you are inquisitive, these are electives versus requirements for success.
I have met many successful businessmen in Guyana, who never went to UG/QC or studied Accounting or Finance but understood the basics of profit and loss. Don’t get me wrong, education at its fullest is good, however consider what the world demands. Seventy-five percent of you will end up with a career different than what you aspire to in college, this is good, else opportunities will come knocking and pass you by, if you just focus on one thing. A common trait lacking for most Guyanese (West Indians) I have hired over these years are a lack of assertiveness and poor public speaking (presentation) skills. Work on this in high school. I did not go to QC or UG, or what will deemed at the time the best high schools in Guyana. I went to Anna Regina High School (then multi).
I was an average student, but always with a cricket bat in my hand. However, when I started competing with students (college) on my arrival in USA I discovered I was many times smarter than them and attained a Master’s Degree. The basics, writing skilling, speaking skills and Math (Arithmetic) are a must. I began to ponder why my teachers in Guyana used to fail me, is it because I loved too much cricket? One Professor (USA) even had the audacity to state I was pompous in the late 90’s because of my knowledge and inquisition to question his logic. However, I went on in my career in America to be in its top 5 percent in technology management. Women don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty, you are leaders as well. Thanks Anna Regina, you thought me well.
Sincerely,
Everton Morris
Former Change Guyana Member
