Category: DATAS Written Testimonials

SUCCESS STORY Jenielle Kay Carrington Educator- Visual Arts B.A. (Hons) Visual Arts (concentration in Art Education) with minor in Cultural Studies What is your name? Jenielle Kay Carrington What is your career? I am currently a Visual Arts Teacher with the Division of Education, Research and Technology. What was your area of study? My general area of study is Visual Arts and in 2011 I was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts (with concentration in Art Education) with a minor in Cultural Studies (Upper Second-Class Honors). This was attained jointly through the University of West Indies (Mona Campus) and The Edna Manly School for the Visual and Performing Arts. What qualifications is needed for your career path? My career path requires a keen interest in the visual arts and qualifications ranging from CXC art courses to undergraduate studies in any concentrated or general area in Visual Arts. What motivated your choice of study and career path? My passion for art really picked up at Scarborough Secondary School when I encountered my art teachers Mr. Neil Duncan and Mrs. Marcia Des Vignes. Mrs. Des Vignes made me realise that in addition to talent, discipline was necessary for success. As a teacher I have adopted many of her principles within my practice. Also, my family, specifically my parents Mr. Dos Santos Carrington and Mrs. Shirley Carrington have also supported whatever I put my hands and mind to. Their support has been invaluable over my life and even more so during my teaching career. How has DATAS Scholarship, Grant or Bursary impacted your experience? The Bursary award I received from the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS) was crucial to me meeting my financial obligations while at university. While at university in Jamaica knowing that I had the support of my island allowed me to focus more on my courses, seeing me graduate with honours. I don’t think persons fully understand how reassuring it is to be able to depend on reliable sources of finance while studying, especially being away from home as I was in Jamaica. It allowed me to focus even more on my studies to ensure I did well not just for me but for others that came after me. How was the application process at DATAS? The application process was guided by my parents. My parents noted meeting some amazing persons that allowed the follow up to be a smooth one. Key persons that enabled this process were Ms. Gabrielle Fernando and Ms. Kahea Wilson, among others. Without them I am not sure if I would have been as successful as I was. How was the follow up support at DATAS? The support was quite reassuring at the time especially when University days are quite unpredictable. When you call or when they call to follow up, I do not know if persons realise how fundamental and necessary their efforts are to creating peace of mind for a student out of their own country. How did you plan for additional financial support? I went about planning financially for tertiary education with my family and developed the basic template that included personal funds saved mainly derived from the sale of my artwork, family input and student loans. With all that financial preparation there was still room for additional support and here is where DATAS was able to be crucial to my success. Describe your journey, and the efforts made to be where you are now. I have described my life before as that of two halves. I have for most of my life been an avid athlete with focus on Field Hockey as a National Player for many years representing Trinidad and Tobago all over the world. Even at university and early in my teaching career I continued to represent Trinidad and Tobago. The other half of my existence was in the classroom creating works of art with my teachers and classmates. I have also enjoyed various opportunities that I have been given to occupy positions of leadership. At university I was able to serve as Hall Chairperson for Trinity Hall while on campus at St. Augustine in Trinidad and later, the committee at Preston Hall in Mona, Jamaica. Back home after returning from studies I continued to serve with various organizations inclusive of the Trinidad and Tobago Referees Association and most recently the Secondary Schools’ Cricket League in the capacities of Zonal (Tobago) Chairperson for four years and on the National Executive as Public Relations Officer. My journey from studies to entering the teaching service was a straightforward one as I had little wait time between application and being assigned a school. I have been at Signal Hill Secondary School officially from 2012 to date. In 2014, I completed my Post Graduate Diploma in Education with focus on Visual Arts and graduated with Distinction. It has been quite a journey as I never really envisioned myself as a teacher. However, it has been one of the most rewarding experiences. For many of my students they have exceeded my expectations as they have often been placed on Merit lists (Top 10 in the Caribbean) for CXC CAPE Art and Design from as far back as 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021 and as recently as 2022.  I am constantly learning and re-learning new ways to be and teach my area of study and navigate my student’s way of absorbing the world. What do you like best about your job? The most interesting thing about my job is that no two days are the same. My students keep me on my toes. I have seen students enter my classroom at one level and they leave completely different persons, better able to navigate the world outside of the classroom. One would think that they (the student) are the only one’s learning, no, I am just as transformed and much improved after having met and interacted with them. That for me is something I didn’t expect but it has come to

SUCCESS STORY Njemile “Bless” Charles Hospitality and Restaurant Management  Associate Degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management and Bachelor’s of Business Administration Growing up as the last child of my mother’s eight (8) children, I was always passionate about sports in general but began to develop a special love for and keen interest in football. When I realized that my ability to play the sport was progressively improving, I began to nurture the dream of becoming a professional footballer. I also wanted to become a Physiotherapist but so fervent was my desire to play professional football, that, even whilst in high school and pursuing my Advanced level examinations, it remained etched in my mind. The journey to realizing my dreams really took off when I attended a football Christmas camp in 2014 and met professional footballer Dwayne De Rosario. I left the camp at the end of the week thinking that nothing would come out of it, given that I had only attended a regular football camp.  To my surprise, about a month after the event, I received a very strange phone call which led to me being offered the opportunity of a tryout in New York. I was allowed some time to think about it before making a decision and I eventually chose to accept the challenge because I was a risk taker. I attended the tryout, after which, a college coach, Alex, expressed interest in my talent and wanted to give me a scholarship offer to play football and study at the same time. When the offer was made, I panicked a lot. I had reached so far, that I did not want anything to get in the way of pursuing my dream, like insufficient funding. Being introduced to the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS) of the Division of Education, Tobago House of Assembly was very bittersweet for me because my family was unable to assist me with all the tuition payments and I was afraid of missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime being turned down. However, the sweet part was when I met Mr. Mc Kenzie, Ms. Wilson and Ms. Hall who faithfully guided and assisted me with all the necessary information and drilling. I knew that once I accepted the offer, I would need to do my best, as a form of gratitude to them. I felt very blessed and grateful to DATAS for demonstrating compassion to me and believing that I would one day be a success story for the Division.  For the first two years, I was assisted by the Tobago House of Assembly with funding. For the next two years, I received a full scholarship from my coach due to my performance on and off the field, also I became a Residence Assistant (RA) which added to my scholarship. Knowing that they genuinely cared about my journey, I remained in contact with DATAS personnel, updating them on my progress. I cannot begin to repay DATAS for facilitating access to the opportunity of a lifetime, given that my family was unable to assist with funding. Now because of DATAS, I am the first and only person in my family of eight siblings to have ever obtained a college degree. I had expressed my interest in physiotherapy to Coach Alex but it seemed like he knew more about Tobago than I knew and talked me into studying Hospitality instead. I went on to complete my Associate Degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management and then wanted to move to another College or University to pursue my Bachelor’s Degree. Little did I know though, that Coach Alex already had other plans for me. He decided that he was not going to lose me on and off the field, so I ended up staying at Bryant & Stratton College, to pursue my Bachelor’s in Business Administration. After completing my Bachelors, I wanted to be able to use it not just to secure a decent job but as a tool to give back to communities and to share my experience with others. Being in a foreign country and on campus, I was faced with many challenges, including finance and family-related issues back home. However, I always kept it foremost in my mind, that I had to succeed on this journey, no matter what obstacles I encountered. I eventually let go and allowed God to take control and he did. There were many distractions as I aspired to always obtain a grade A or no less than a B+ in every class but I was committed to succeeding and so I studied and worked very hard.  I also went to the gym quite often and together, these factors helped me to cope with the challenges I faced. I eventually fell in love with studying and found a way to balance football and schoolwork, both of which were important to me. Whilst on campus, I had tremendous support from my coach, my housing director, my new friends, mother and sister, all of whom played a big role in easing my mind. I am also fortunate to be able to say, that I had an agent who was always there for me, even outside college time. My greatest support came from Mr. McFarlane though. As my mentor, he spoke to me like a father would. He understood my journey so well, that I spoke to him about everything, even those times when I cried, smiled was angry or sad. For this, I wish to publicly say a special thanks to him for being such a great human being. One of my main goals right now is to try and encourage more youths to work hard with whichever sport they choose, so that they too can leverage their sporting talent to pave a way forward via scholarship offers. Even if you are not into sports but good at a certain subject, my advice is to be on drive mode for it, as there are academic scholarship offers too.

SUCCESS STORY Brandon Bobb Optometrist BSc. (Hons) Optometry “Anything is possible when you believe.” Throughout my life these words have been my foundation and have served as my motivation through my journey to becoming an Optometrist. I am Brandon Bobb, and I am currently employed as the resident Optometrist at Courts Optical in Lowlands where I have been given the opportunity to serve and care for the people of Tobago. It was never my dream to become an Optometrist. Throughout primary school and most of high school, my goal was to become an airline pilot. However, after realizing my crippling fear of heights, that goal quickly shifted. I decided to pursue the sciences in hopes of becoming a health care practitioner. After completing high school, my choices were to either become a Medical Doctor or an Optometrist. My indecisiveness and surface level understanding of both fields led to my decision to take a year off to do some research. I learnt that in Tobago, in comparison to other medical professions, there were not many eye care practitioners. There was also a great need for improved eyecare on the island due to the high number of individuals with visual impairment. I therefore made my decision, and in September 2013 I was successfully accepted into the Bachelor of Science Optometry Programme under the Faculty of Medical Sciences at UWI, St. Augustine. Although the tuition for this degree programme was GATE funded, I had many other financial concerns such as rent, food, transportation and equipment. I did not have sufficient savings to be able to cover these expenses and my parents were not wealthy. My father was the sole breadwinner for the family, and my mom could not work due to medical reasons. Despite our situation, my parents decided that they would give me their full support. My dad decided to take on multiple part time jobs and access loans to be able to cover the additional expenses. We soon realized that it would not be enough. Thankfully, I was able to find out about the Tobago House of Assembly’s (THA) financial assistance programme administered by the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS).  Through this initiative, I was able to access the funding required to assist with my living expenses and purchasing of equipment. This was indeed a very timely blessing as it helped to ease my family’s financial strain. University life proved to be a very eye-opening experience. For my entire life up to that point, I had been sheltered under the care of my family. This was my first time living on my own, but I had to quickly adjust in order to focus on my studies. I had to learn how to properly manage my finances, spending only for the essentials. I also had to get accustomed to travelling, especially during my internship in which I had to go to various private practices and hospitals in order to work and train. The transition from high school to university was akin to the difference between night and day. I thought that studying for CSEC and CAPE was tough, but this was on another level. The workload was heavy and my schedule was intense. Sometimes it felt like there was barely any time for rest. In my first and second years of university, I did my very best to keep up and tried to be as disciplined as possible. I cut back on recreational activities and I studied and practised as much as I could. There were also many all-nighters involved. However, at the end of my second year of university, I felt overwhelmed and my anxiety eventually took its toll. It was no question that my grades were affected. I became depressed and began to evaluate whether the decision to pursue this career was the right one. I was at my limit, but I was reminded by my parents that with God, there is no obstacle that we can’t overcome. I realized that I had become so focused on my studies, that I didn’t make enough time for God. From then on, I put my full trust in God and prayed for his guidance. Gradually, everything began to fall into place. Group study sessions and group practice sessions were also very beneficial. I learnt that when a group of persons who share the same goals work together, there is no limit to what they can accomplish. It’s also a good idea to ask for help whenever you are experiencing difficulty. In weak subject areas, I would ask my lecturers or senior colleagues to help explain and review the topics until I was able to comfortably understand.  Finding balance between work and rest was also quite essential. Hard work is important to achieve one’s goals, but overworking can leave you feeling burnt out. Therefore, I continued to be disciplined in my studies, but I also made time to rest as well. After four years of perseverance, I was able to successfully graduate in 2017 and achieve my goal of becoming an Optometrist. It was definitely a long journey filled with ups and downs but I would have never made it without the guidance and blessings of Almighty God. I am also eternally grateful to my parents, Lincoln Bobb and Jassmin Bobb for their unending support, love and encouragement that they have given me throughout my life. I am also thankful for the support given to me by my relatives, friends, and well-wishers for without their prayers and kind words I would not have made it this far. To my lecturers and senior colleagues, I thank you for the motivation and direction that you have given me throughout my academic journey. My advice to persons interested in a career in Optometry is to be disciplined in your studies but remember to always find time for prayer. It is also important that you love what you do. Before pursuing any career, I believe that it is important to do enough research.

SUCCESS STORY Simon Craig Meteorology, Mathematics, Hydrology and Water Resources BSc. in Meteorology and MSc. Water Science & Engineering with specialisation Hydrology & Water Resources   I chose a career in the environmental sector because of the challenges that small islands face in adaptation to global and climate change. My specialisations are in Meteorology, Mathematics, Hydrology and Water Resources, cumulating fifteen years of academic and professional exposure across the three disciplines. My professional odyssey started with: an interest in Meteorology, an aptitude for Mathematics, a general appreciation of the environment and a love for Tobago (island life). To date, the speed bumps along the way served as the battle scars of my current successes. In times of self-doubt, I recalled my primary school motto, “Perseverance is the key to success”. Furthermore, the value of both offering and seeking assistance – whenever and wherever one can, reiterates the importance of support systems and that help will most times be there when needed. These tools were vital to improving the worst situations. In 2011, I graduated with a BSc in Meteorology and Mathematics at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus (Upper Second Class Honours). Later that year, I joined the Meteorological Services Division (MSD) – Tobago. My 4-year UWI experience was hectic, and without my strong time management skills and discipline, failure was more likely than success. My studies were partly self-funded. I also received financial support from the  Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and my family. I was a full-time student and worked part-time (full-time) during the semester (holidays) to cover expenses. I served on the Hall Council for two years and was a core player of the UWI Cave Hill Hockey team. These co-curricular activities ensured cheap accommodation and access to additional student support whilst fulfilling a vital requirement of university life – building lasting connections. These connections are now my network of multi- and interdisciplinary professionals to seek both advice and collaborate on projects. The subsequent seven years after graduating, I served as a career Meteorologist with the MSD – Tobago. This role was multipurpose. It fulfilled the requirements of my THA bursary and gave me invaluable experiences. Moreover, it placed me on the path to my MSc studies. My motivation to pursue my MSc started with “How can small islands increase their freshwater storage capacity?” My experiences and understanding of the susceptibility of freshwater reserves on small islands to climate variability were critical to this decision.  I commenced my MSc studies at IHE Institute for Water Education, The Netherlands in 2018. Financing my MSc was similar to my BSc – self-funded and a bursary from the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS). My IHE experience had similarities to my BSc. I served in student governance as the Chairperson of the student body for 2019. Though sport played a distant secondary role, it was vital to managing my stress levels and staying active. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, I completed my MSc in Water Science and Engineering and specialised in Hydrology and Water Resources. The pandemic affected employment opportunities worldwide. For me, it resulted in a fourteen-month job hunt and tens of application rejections. In 2021, I joined the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) as an intern before transitioning to a Hydrological Specialist. My internship and current role allow me to apply my studies and experiences to manage water quantity and quality within the Caribbean region. My duties revolve around developing an island-scale groundwater model, which will assist water resources managers on an island within the Caribbean region. Recurring concerns throughout my studies were securing financial resources and employment opportunities after graduation. I improved my cooking and interpersonal skills as they were vital to ensuring a quality university experience on a budget. Luckily, I had no health concerns while completing my BSc and MSc programs. I attribute this to my school-work-life balance. To manage my stress levels, I participated in social and cultural activities, stayed fit through sport, got sufficient rest and ate healthily (which was easier as I cooked at least 90% of my meals).  Furthermore, I had a support system of family, friends, acquaintances and the university (as an elite athlete) to discuss my challenges and fears and ensure academic success. There are limited employment opportunities within the Caribbean region. The employment pool shrinks when considering country-specific funding requirements. Moreover, the recent pandemic highlighted more gaps within the existing system. Sadly, this reality is  somewhat beyond our control. With these factors considered, one must be willing to: find innovative ways to gain industry experience, become self-sufficient, and even suffer crippling financial setbacks to succeed. Despite these concerns, your knowledge is valuable; find ways to utilise it.    To those interested in any study path (similar or otherwise), I advise you to go for it! A higher education experience broadens one’s perspective and offers many opportunities to gain invaluable transferrable skills. Find the balance between your interests, aptitude/strengths and existing opportunities when selecting your program. This balance is crucial to overcoming self-doubt and persevering through stressful periods. Furthermore, there is a push for more professionals within environmental and climate sciences, which increases the opportunities that one can access. Residents of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) must be aware of the impacts of climate variability on our existence. We must be the proponents of sustainable development and adaptation approaches, which are central to mitigating the effects of climate change. Adapting to global and climate change requires innovative solutions; weather and climate affect everyone! Opportunities exist outside the Applied and Natural Sciences, as climate science is a multidisciplinary field. Regardless, find your niche. I wish you success! MORE STORIES

SUCCESS STORY Dwight Hall Electrical Engineer B.Eng. (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology (EEET)  My journey to earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering significantly impacted my life and so shaped my perspective, that I consider it to be my best learning experience thus far. The lessons learned were priceless and they played an important role in who I am today. YEAR ONE – The Certificate My journey commenced on September 1, 2013, when I left Tobago to attend the Automated Technology College (ATC) in Trinidad. The College was located in San Fernando and I had very limited knowledge of Trinidad and its environs. However, I was determined to pursue an education in Electrical and Electronic Technology and so I was not deterred. At the time, I did not have a clear plan of how I would execute my goal, nor was I fully conscious of the meticulous financial planning that would be required. All I knew was that I had what I thought was enough money saved, I wanted to enrol at ATC and the programme was GATE funded. For everything else, I freestyled. I was very reluctant to rent a shared apartment, although this would have been more cost-effective and I travelled to college via taxi because my commute was from Curepe to San Fernando, which was a considerable distance and my classes started at 8:45 a.m. After three months into my first year and paying for my registration along with my exam fees, I evaluated my savings and was devastated at the findings. This is how I learned to do critical evaluation, sacrifice, financial discipline and better decision making based on the resources available. I realized that my consumption of food and spending habits needed to be readjusted otherwise I would only make it through seventy-five percent of the study program. Even though it was convenient to travel by taxi because they were always available (on most days), the fare was twice the cost of traveling on the public bus. However, the buses were unreliable as they were never on time. Nevertheless, due to the lower cost, there were days that I would walk to the bus route from my apartment and take a bus instead of a taxi. One month after I did my evaluation, I started seeking various means of financial assistance, so that I could make it through the entire study program. Although I was making a sacrifice and cutting back on many things, I found that the cost of eating and staying healthy to effectively function in the classroom was still very expensive. The reality was that, despite all the cutbacks, if I did not access financial assistance, I would not be able to complete the Course. I would possibly make it through to ninety percent of my studies but no more. While I was seeking financial assistance, I kept focused on my tasks ahead so that I can be successful in my studies. It was hard but manageable, so I kept praying. I subsequently found out about financial assistance being offered by the Tobago House of Assembly from the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS). I therefore applied, trusted in the process and was eventually provided with the financial support I requested. I was able to successfully complete my studies in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology with distinction and was awarded a Certificate. At that juncture, I questioned myself: What is next? Where do I go from here? Pursuing a Diploma seemed feasible but I did not have the finances to take me through the Diploma year. Given that I had the blueprint for surviving on a low budget and was already familiar with living in Trinidad, to make my dream a reality, I decided to work and study. YEAR TWO – The Diploma My Diploma year was a replica of the first but more refined. I worked while pursuing my studies and bought a food steamer, which made preparing my meals easier. I refrained from eating out, as food was one of the highest expenses. To avoid the exorbitant taxi fares, on mornings, I woke up at 6:00 a.m. and walked to the bus route to travel on the 7:45 a.m. bus, which travelled from the University of the West Indies (UWI), to San Fernando. The trade-off was my grades. They took a hit in the end because of the work and study dynamic but I was grateful that I did not fail my Course. In retrospect, trying to balance work and studies prove to be an extremely difficult period. There were even times where this required commutation between the two islands. For example, there were times that I boarded the slow ferry which departed Trinidad at 11:00 p.m. and arrived in Tobago the next morning, in order to work on a construction site or to teach water sports there. I then took the ferry back when done. In the end, it was worth it, as I obtained my Diploma (which consisted of three courses) with a distinction, merit and a pass. Shortly thereafter though, the same question surfaced. I found myself once again confronted with the thought of: What next? Where do I go from here? To help me determine the next step, I consulted with my Lecturer at ATC Mrs. Sangeeta Ramlal and she recommended that I pursue a Higher National Diploma (HND) at the School of Business and Computer Science (SBCS). This was a two-and-a-half-year program, which, based on the final grade, qualified the participant to be admitted into the final year of a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Greenwich. Pursuing this programme would have required better financial planning and so I decided to take a one year break. During this time, I was able to work and accumulate my savings, plan and search for an apartment close to the school and seek early financial assistance, to avoid some of the challenges I had encountered over the past two years.   YEAR

WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL Mechell Andrews Project Management MBA Business Administration Though my monthly earnings were significantly less than my bills, I was still glad to be in receipt of a stable income from my full time job to assist with my mortgage, along with periodic revenues from my business. However, given that my business was affiliated to the tourism sector, during the pandemic, it was adversely affected, making it even more difficult to pay my bills. As a result of this, I was compelled to make some changes to maintain my standard of living and to keep my property. One day, while reflecting on all that had transpired and thinking of what to do to solve my problem, I recalled that at my full time job, I enjoyed working on projects. Then and there, I decided, that    I would focus on this career path. Keeping this objective in mind, at my job, I began to gather as much knowledge as possible. I already knew what the Division was about generally and its comprising units. I therefore started to learn more about the different desks, which, although it did not speak to what I loved, prove to be an awesome experience. I also began to be more diligent and intentional about learning and inquiring about projects within my Department and the more I learned, the more I became interested in pursuing project management as a  career, although it was a late start for me. Though apprehensive, I remained resolute in my decision and I completed short courses at Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business. My breakthrough came in 2020 though, when I learned about the program dedicated to tertiary level students, through the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS). In my quest to attain funding to further my tertiary education, I initially submitted a letter of interest directly to Mr. Kelvin Charles, the then Secretary of Education at the Tobago House of Assembly. However, in response, he redirected me to DATAS and advised that I submit an application there. I learned that DATAS assists persons who may have difficulty in covering the financial costs of their tertiary level programs. It was therefore the perfect opportunity for me to move forward with my project management goals and I decided to apply for financial assistance. I immediately acquired the necessary forms and sourced the documents to be attached with the application. This included writing an essay, obtaining a medical report and getting the accreditation document. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the limitations it posed, I encountered some difficulties to obtain the accreditation certificate for the school of my choice, as calls to their office went unanswered for many days. I was eventually able to make contact with a representative though. Admittedly, filling out the financial aspect of the form was tedious. However, I am grateful that someone was able to assist me with it. In retrospect, it’s amazing how everything aligned perfectly through this entire process. At the beginning of my studies, I was admittedly a bit confused in certain areas. I have come to realize that one could never really be fully prepared for the journey involved in pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), regardless of what advice is given beforehand. I had to really focus and work even harder than I had imagined I would need to, even re-sitting two of my modules to ensure that I gave them the best effort. Today, my heart is filled with gratitude for God’s guidance in my pursuit of tertiary level education. I couldn’t have done it without him. After all the late-night studies and assignments, I am pleased to report that I successfully completed the MBA, specializing in Supply Chain/Project Management. Despite the limitations of the global pandemic, I was able to keep up with studying online. I learnt a great deal and had the opportunity to research and follow instructions, especially where modern technology is concerned. The School’s website provided all the information that was needed to ensure a smooth sailing in relation to class attendance, assignment submission and Lecturer/Staff interaction. Overall, pursuing my Master’s was a great experience for me, as I networked with other entrepreneurs and business gurus. I enjoyed studying, researching and even sharing ideas with classmates. This served to expand my knowledge base, which in turn helped me gain more confidence in my workplace and business. Having successfully completed this program and obtained the experience, I would say that one has to be focused in life and determined to overcome the obstacles that may present themselves while on the journey. I also highly recommend DATAS, to those who are seeking financial assistance in the area of tertiary education. Thank You DATAS. My advice to persons seeking specifically to pursue a MBA is to aim high and be prepared for the unexpected. Push and seek divine guidance. The modules can be demanding, lecturers and fellow students may be challenging at times but keep working until you reach the finish line. It is worth it. MORE STORIES

Paul Crooks- Success Story

WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL Shantar Bruce Tourism Manager University of the West Indies; Centre for Hotel and Tourism Management When I was a child, I was obsessed with becoming a Midwife. I was captivated by TV series such as One Born Every Minute, The Midwife or any medical TV show I could find. I would often mix chemicals that I found in the house; and one time I’d almost caused myself to become unconscious when I concocted dangerous chemicals. Thereafter, chemist was a house name. I believed that I was destined to be a midwife but destiny had another path for me. I left Goodwood High School in 2010, anxious to start my career after receiving an acceptance letter from the Ministry of Health in 2010. My mother and I had set sail to Trinidad to complete my official documents. To my dismay, they could not have enrolled me into the nursing programme because they realized that I was only seventeen (17) years old, months shy from the legal required age. My heart sunk to the floor. I was disappointed but I was still hopeful. I enrolled in the sixth form programme at Goodwood High School from 2010-2012, and at the end of my tenure there, I received a scholarship to pursue an Associate’s Degree in Tourism Studies at the Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute (THTI). I accepted the call, regardless it wasn’t my dream. After completing my studies in November 2014. It was evident that my island would benefit from me pursuing a degree in Tourism Management as a career. I had fallen in love with the field and was determined to pursue it relentlessly. In 2015, I signed up to pursue a B.Sc with the University of the West Indies, Center for Hotel and Tourism Management (UWI; CHTM); with the intent to start that semester. However, I had to postpone my studies due to a lack of funds and was worried about studying in the Bahamas without a clear source of income. Even though my mother encouraged me and tried her best to sway me that she would take care of things, I simply wasn’t persuaded. I was not poised enough to leave my beloved country to go out into the unknown, not having an inkling of an idea where my next meal would come from. I took a year off and started a small business in order to raise capital to be able to afford school comfortably. By the next year on Wednesday August 24th, 2016 to be exact, I walked down the aisle and heard those magical words…. “This is your captain speaking”.  Right there and then, a new chapter in my life budded. Travelling to uncharted waters to pursue my dream didn’t come without a hefty price. Just a little over a month studying in the Bahamas the islands were hit by Hurricane Matthew; a category four (4) hurricane, which ravaged the islands. I was left without water, electricity and a stable place to shelter for one (1) month. My apartment was damaged by the strong hurricane winds, thus making it unsuitable to live in. With no service, little food and no pipe borne water, I felt like I was starring on the TV show Survival. With no contact to family, friends or the Government for assistance, I was left to rely on my fellow classmates. After a few weeks, I finally got in contact with my family who assisted me as much as they could. I was not yet in partnership with the Tobago House of Assembly Financial Assistance Programme. I then tried to contact the Government for assistance but to no avail. In total, there were twelve (12) nationals from Trinidad and Tobago. When I thought that my challenges were over, it seemed like they had just begun. I faced so many health scares at school. It felt like just before every end of term exam, I would fall terribly ill. I remembered in my third semester, it was a regular Sunday, the day before my exams commenced. I got an acute ear ache that came out from nowhere, which made it impossible for me to concentrate. I stumbled upon a plethora of difficulties while pursuing my passion; whether it be financial, personal or encountering snags while attaining a goal. One academic goal was to pass my Financial Management class, which at the time seemed like a Goliath in my life that placed a spoke in my wheel. I was determined to not just barely pass but to slay that giant. With hard work, dedication to the cause, resilience, persistence, time and a lot of extra classes. I wasn’t only able to pass the class, I also emerged as one of the top students. Every brick that was thrown at me, was used to build a firm foundation. I didn’t have to fight any battles, God fought them all for me. God was my fortress and guiding light. My mother, immediate family and small circle of friends remained my standard bearers in and out of time and seasons. They supported me, lifted me up and were my biggest cheerleaders and confidants. Thanks to my mother, dear friends and the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services (DATAS) and myself of course. I was able to complete my studies debt free. To persons interested in pursuing their dream, I urge you to cultivate a mind that encourages free thought, inspires ideas and fertilizes innovation and be empowered to imagine creative solutions to problems. Just remember that your track record for surviving bad days is 100%.  Be bold enough to face it. Be courageous enough to overcome your fears and be strong enough to know that trials won’t last When passion drives you, let reason hold the reins. Two roads diverged into the wood, but I could not travel both. One road looked very promising, fair and familiar, and perhaps the better claim. The other unknown and mysterious. I took the one less travelled and it

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WRITTEN TESTIMONIAL Olando Fraser Engineer in Training Electrical and Computer Engineering My career path started in the year 2010 after several discussions with my mother who was and still is the pinnacle of my success. She would constantly ask “Olando, what do you intend to do with your life?” At the time, I was a young man and just started as a Clerk I in the public service, to me life was good. She realized I began to neglect my academic development; so she had a conversation with me that changed my life. I sat a while and did some serious soul searching, I asked myself what I really wanted to be in this life. The decision wasn’t a hard one for me, but I must say at first it wasn’t to be an Electrical Engineer. I applied to the School of Business and Computer Science for their Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technician’s Diploma followed by the Advanced Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technician’s Diploma. The Advanced Diploma to me was very challenging because I was the only student from my year to successfully complete all modules of the first year, hence applying simple economics it was not prudent to pay teachers to teach one student. It was here I encountered my first hurdle; I spoke to my mother who is always optimistic in every situation. She told me you came this far, and God won’t leave your side. I proceeded to do my final year on my own without any guidance or teachers to assist. It was very difficult, but I overcame this hurdle. After being the only student to successfully complete the Advanced Diploma, I was ready to go home, apply for jobs and start living life, my mother however had other plans. She asked me why stop here you came this far, you proved everyone who doubted you that you can do it. She asked, “Why don’t you try for the Engineering Degree?” in my head I thought me, an Engineer, a little boy from Tobago to be an engineer. I said well ok, can’t hurt to apply right. I called some close friends and asked for advice since I knew nothing about this university life. I should mention, everyone I asked told me I would never be accepted to be an Electrical Engineer. I was told they only accepted the best of the best and half the class were scholarship winners. I was a bit despondent because I only had CXC level Mathematics and CAPE Mathematics was a fundamental tool for this degree. I told myself well it makes no sense being in over my head I did enough, already right? My mother however, had other plans, again she encouraged me to move with faith, God is greater than man. I applied and I was given a “Deferred Acceptance” meaning I will be accepted for the next year on the condition that I have to complete CXC level Chemistry and obtain either a grade I or II. I left Trinidad and came back to Tobago and enrolled in private Chemistry classes. Upon successfully completing Chemistry where I obtained a grade I, I sent my certificate to the Engineering Faculty and awaited feedback. Time passed and I received no feedback. I decided to follow up via several phone calls. Finally I got through and was told that they tried contacting me but there was a mistake with my phone number so I was replaced by another student. My heart sank, the Clerk said she will talk to her supervisor for advice on the way forward since it wasn’t my fault. Later the day, I was contacted and informed that I was accepted to start the programmme. This was a bitter-sweet moment for me because I got this information on Thursday and the following Monday was the beginning of the new semester. As the saying goes, I was like a fish out of water, I made several calls and asked fellow Tobagonians to assist in acquiring an apartment. I was able to secure an apartment the Saturday and moved in by Sunday to start school Monday, I can’t begin to explain the anxiety and stress that came with this transition. I began a new chapter of my life at the University of the West Indies to pursue a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. The “little Tobago boy” in class with the big boys, the best of the best. To be very honest, this was the hardest tenure of my life. This degree changed my life, it was no joke and the hours were unforgiving. I would wake at 6:00am daily reach class for 8:00am and some days classes went to 9:00pm. I was slowly falling apart trying to acclimatize to the rapid change in my life and keep up with the demand. In my first semester, I failed all my midterm exams, I remember sitting outside talking to my mother and crying, I said “this isn’t for me I cannot make it.” She said “Olando I didn’t send you to go and beat the best I only ask that you do your best.” I closed my eyes, she prayed for me and asked God to put the right people in my way. The very next day I met a group of fellers who became my brothers and the rest was history. I remember calling my mother in jubilation shouting “mammy I met some fellers and we formed a study group I’m good now I like the vibe with these guys”, she replied you see God is working for you. At the end of the semester I passed all my courses and I was so elated, but the worst was yet to come. My final year was the worst year of my life, I had to complete nine (9) courses along with my final year project. I was bordering between sanity and insanity. I remember being under immense pressure I would just sit and cry at times then