![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/graduation-hat.jpg\" "\\"graduation-hat\\"")
NASSAU, The Bahamas — Recent graduates of the public and private secondary school systems were encouraged to \u201cthink outside of the box\u201d and take advantage of the \u201cmyriad of new and wonderful opportunities for employment\u201d \u2013 particularly those that exist in the internet\/social media\/technology fields.<\/p>\n
Addressing secondary school graduates attending the third annual professional Edge Workshop \u2013 a programme that helps prepare graduates of both private and public secondary schools for the job market – Minister of Social Services and Community Development, Melanie S. Griffin, said the many advances in technology through the social media, and the diverse opportunities that exist as a result of those new technological advances, have created newer job opportunities for persons globally.<\/p>\n
Mrs. Griffin said those new opportunities have allowed a large number of global citizens to become successful entrepreneurs. She said Bahamians have the capability to take advantage of those opportunities just as their global counterparts have done.<\/p>\n
\u201cMillions of people around the world work without leaving their homes,\u201d Mrs. Griffin said. \u201cThe computers which you have grown up with and use everyday for social purposes, also allow you access to the world of work.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlatforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google, while often used for socialising can also help you to land jobs and earn a salary.\u00a0 Unlike past generations, you have much greater control over your careers and your long-term success,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Mrs. Griffin said the Government of The Bahamas is committed to ensuring that the greatest number of employment opportunities exist for Bahamians. She said numerous small business opportunities exist in the technology\/internet\/social media field, when \u2013 combined with Government initiatives \u2013 will create even greater opportunities for more Bahamians through entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n
Persons who think outside of the box, she said, have the opportunity to write their own ticket.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere are some realities for you to know now that you have graduated.\u00a0 Firstly, no one owes you a job. You will have to prove why you should get one over all the other persons out there in the job market,\u201d Mrs. Griffin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSecondly, the Government cannot hire everyone. I would venture to say that a significant portion of the work force is seeking \u2018a government job.\u2019 Thirdly, there are more than five thousand graduates each year in The Bahamas, more than two million in the United States of America and almost 100 million worldwide.\u00a0 In this global village in which we live, that means that there is a lot of competition for employment.\u201d<\/p>\n
This competition, Mrs. Griffin said, has driven entrepreneurship with persons using the social media and other \u201chonest outlets\u201d to create job opportunities for themselves and others.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnlike many other countries, The Bahamas is politically and economically stable with very little gender discrimination.\u00a0 This means that whether you are male or female you have an equal right to employment. Even better news is that there are many more platforms for you to use to earn an honest living,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
She said research shows that career readiness, and\/or a lack thereof, impacts social development.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe aim of social development is to improve the availability of support systems in the community that prevent negative results before they occur,\u201d Mrs. Griffin said. \u201cIn the context of this setting, there are some life skills you need to know to make life better for you, and you more successful in the workplace.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we talk about social development we are talking about a broad term that describes actions taken to build positive outcomes or results and prevent negative social outcomes or results that can adversely affect an individual or a community.\u00a0 These outcomes may range from crime, poverty, gang involvement, school drop out, teen pregnancy, addictions and substance abuse and even obesity and poor health.<\/p>\n
\u201cBasically, this definition then speaks to the positive things that you do to ensure you avoid many of the negative things that can happen in your life that hamper your success. You need to know that you can\u2019t go on an interview chewing gum or answering your cell phone or texting and bbm-ing.\u00a0 You need to know that your appearance and your body language are just as important as your spoken words,\u201d Mrs. Griffin added.<\/p>\n
The Social Services Minister told the graduates that their successes or failures will be determined by \u201csome old-fashioned values, skills and behaviour that will dictate whether you succeed or fail.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn fact, these often end up determining your success more than how smart you are, where you come from, how much money your parents have, your educational attainment or even who you know,\u201d Mrs. Griffin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuccess does not fall into your lap, it takes hard work.\u00a0 Without a plan and without the ability to get things done, you will drift from one thing to the next, never forward or upward and worst of all, never in control of your own destiny.\u201d<\/p>\n
By Matt Maura
\nBahamas Information Services<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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