Aaron George Success Story - Division of Education, Research and Technology

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SUCCESS STORY

Aaron A. George

Civil Engineer

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

What is your name?

My name is Aaron George.

What is your career?

I am a Civil Engineer.

What was your area of study?

My area of study was Civil Engineering.

What qualifications are needed for your career path?

The qualifications required for pursuing a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Civil Engineering at the University of the West Indies (UWI) are as follows:

CSEC (CXC) O’Levels: A minimum of (5) five subjects, inclusive of a pass in Chemistry, Mathematics and English in grades I, II or III; and

CAPE A’ Levels: A pass in Pure Mathematics and Physics Units I and II.

OR

Any one of the following Diplomas: The National Engineering Technician Diploma (NETD) from the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) or the University of Technology (UTECH) Technician’s Diploma (Jamaica) or the Barbados Community College (BCC) Ordinary Technician Diploma.

The qualifications required at the tertiary level are a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or a Bachelor of Science in Civil with Environmental Engineering.

What motivated your choice of study and career path?

From a young age, I was always interested in learning new things, understanding how things worked and why they worked the way they did. My parents can attest to this, as I always asked them scientific questions and had them watch the Discovery Channel, History Channel and documentaries with me as a child.

Later on, during my time at Signal Hill Secondary School, I developed an affinity for what is referred to as STEM subjects, namely, Physics, Chemistry and Technical Drawing. When studying Technical Drawing, I enjoyed drafting house plans and the logistics behind the management and construction of same, which led to me wanting to become an Architect. The problem with this though is that Architecture was only offered in Jamaica. I therefore had to narrow my options to programmes offered locally. I however, never had any interest in becoming a Lawyer or a Doctor as my mother hoped I’d become and as many of my colleagues aspired to pursue, as those fields just never caught my attention.

Upon completion of A’ levels at the Signal Hill Secondary School, I placed 4^th and 3^rd on the CAPE Merit List in Units I and II respectively, in Building Mechanical Engineering Drawing (BMED). Once I attained this achievement, I knew that Engineering would be my niche.

How has the DATAS Scholarship, Grant or Bursary impacted your experience?

The Bursary I received from the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS) positively impacted my experience, as it assisted me financially throughout my pursuit of higher education. As a Tobagonian pursuing studies in Trinidad, I can attest that it can be very difficult mentally and financially, especially when it comes to covering basic living expenses like accommodation. Having financial assistance in this regard, not only lifts a burden off your shoulders but also allows you to study without the added distraction and worry of financial woes.

How was the application process at DATAS?

The application process initially seemed quite daunting but upon receiving assistance from the team at DATAS, the instructions became quite clear.

How was the follow-up support at DATAS?

The follow-up assistance from DATAS was very informative and timely.

How did you plan for additional financial support?

Additional Financial Support was provided for me by my parents and funding through the Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses (G.A.T.E) program.

Describe your journey, and the efforts made to be where you are now.

My journey has been nothing short of amazing and I consider myself to be fortunate. There were times though that things didn’t go as planned and I felt alone but my faith in God kept me going. I was surrounded by great people who constantly reminded me of my goal and encouraged and lifted my spirits.

As a result, I’ve never lost focus on my goal. I also felt like I had something to prove, being the only Tobagonian in a class of about forty (40) students. This allowed me to cultivate a “Grind” mindset, in which I further developed my time management skills and allowed me to excel in many of my courses, whilst still having time to participate in extracurricular activities and network with other students.

During my time at university, I achieved academic awards and was involved in a few leadership roles in a few clubs and societies. I firmly believe that my optimistic, faithful mindset, along with my involvement in extracurricular activities both during High School and University, allowed me to achieve all that I would have achieved to date.

Prior to graduating, I was proactive in job searching and marketing myself by way of social media. I attended job fairs and even created an Excel sheet with all potential job places that might have had vacancies. I sent applications to these places but this process was very slow, so I opted to work in a variety store for the time being. While working there, I learnt a lot of life lessons from my co-workers and employer, as well as a little in terms of money management and work-life balance. Not before long though, I received an email from the company with which I am currently employed, all of which happened before I graduated.

What do you like best about your job?

I love being a part of teams that contribute to the infrastructural development of our society. My job makes me feel like I’m fulfilling my purpose. It also feels good knowing that I’m contributing to the same society that would have contributed to my development.

As mentioned previously, I have always been inclined to the sciences and learning new things. Being in this field is perfect for the inquisitive mind. Working within the field of Engineering opens your eyes to so many different aspects of life and answers many questions. There are a lot of things that are a part of our daily lives that are much more interesting than they seem. I enjoy the entire project management and construction process for buildings and other infrastructure. Seeing how an empty parcel of land can be transformed into a 3-story building or even a parking lot being converted into a fourteen-story hospital is quite fascinating and being a part of this and seeing all the steps unfold before your eyes, makes it all worthwhile.

I also enjoy being able to network and meet all kinds of different people, from residents in an area, to persons who hold high positions in public office, to people from different islands and continents across the globe.

How did you get your job?

I got my job through a recommendation by one of my University Lecturers.

If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same path for yourself? If not, what would you change?

Yes, I would choose the same path for myself if I had to do it all over again, I believe that the path that I chose, allowed me to develop and mature rapidly beyond my expectations.

What are some tips to give to persons wanting to follow your career path?

The tips that I would give to persons who are interested in following my career path would be:

1. Don’t be afraid. There’s nothing that you can’t do and there’s nothing too difficult. Starting is the hardest part of doing anything. Once you start, you will
2. Enjoy the process; enjoy making friends and networking with others. The trials and challenges that may come along, look at them as opportunities to learn, rather than obstacles.
3. Be kind and always willing to help others. Give without expecting anything in return.
4. Get involved in extracurricular activities. Life isn’t only about work and your academic pursuits but it’s also about taking care of yourself (mentally, physically and emotionally), creating memories with friends, family, voluntarism, getting to know new people, working with them in achieving mutual goals and giving back.
5. Develop soft skills. Learn how to communicate with others, manage your time and lead. Again, getting involved in extracurricular activities will aid in this regard. Most employers are not only interested in your academic qualifications but in what sets you apart from the rest.
6. Trust in God and have faith.
7. Don’t listen to the naysayers. Unfortunately, at some point in your journey, you will come across persons who will try to discourage you. I encourage you though, to take these discouraging words and use them as fuel.
8. Be prepared to make sacrifices.

All of the aforementioned tips will allow you to develop holistically which will give you an edge!

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