Career Week for Layman Scott students

High School students on Cayman Brac have recently participated in a valuable week of career preparations at their school, culminating in a Careers Fair on Friday 12 April that saw a host of government officials, careers experts and employers come together to offer students some important advice.

Premier and Minister of Education, Julianna O’Connor Connolly, attended the Careers Fair. She told students to make the most of the opportunities afforded them at the event.

“The conversations you have today would have shaped and engineered the choices that you make, not just for today, but in setting your career path for the future,” she said.

At the Fair, the Premier was joined by Tammy Hopkins, Senior School Improvement Officer (Sister Islands/CIFEC), along with employers (from Cayman Brac and Grand Cayman), the Career Services Team, and the event was attended by the staff and students at Layman Scott High School as well as those from the Cayman Brac primary schools.

Specialists from the Brac Power Company and the Public Works Department were available to showcase the array of equipment utilised in their daily operations and offered insights into their functions. Demonstrations were carried out to exhibit the equipment in action.

Layman Scott High School had hosted a week of career activities featuring a series of engaging and informative activities designed to help students explore various career paths and prepare for future endeavours. On Tuesday, 9 April, a Year 9 Option Meeting took place with students and their parents, whereby they gleaned information to be considered when making decisions during the option choice process as students prepare to transition to Year 10. On Wednesday, 10 April to Thursday 11 April, career advisors provided personalised one-on-one sessions with Year 9 students and their parents.  These sessions were designed to support students as they navigate their educational and career pathways.  By engaging both students and their parents in sessions tailored to each student’s interests, strengths and goals, the advisors aimed to create a collaborative and supportive environment that encourages open communication and dialogue about career choices.

On Friday 12 April, students took part in mock interviews as well as the Career Fair.

‘We are excited to support the Career Week at Layman Scott High School to provide our students with valuable insights and experiences that will help them make informed decisions about their future careers,” said Career Services Manager, Jenine Stewart.  “We believe that by exposing our students to a diverse range of industries and professions, we can inspire them to pursue their passions and reach their full potential.”

The Career Week activities was led by Denver Bloomfield, Career Advisor and Yvette Gayle, Teacher and Head of Humanities -Layman Scott High School, who engaged professionals and experts from the local Cayman Brac community as well as from Grand Cayman to assist with some of the activities. These professionals were eager to share their knowledge and experiences with the next generation of leaders.  Students had the opportunity to ask questions, receive guidance and gain valuable advice on how to select subjects and how to navigate the world of work successfully.

In addition to the week of career activities, students had the opportunity in early March to benefit from sessions on resume writing, interview preparation and career planning to help them develop essential skills for entering the workforce or pursuing higher education.  Students were also given an introduction to building their personal career and college profile and were reminded about the availability of Career Cruising, an internet-based career exploration and planning tool, provided by the government to all students to assist them in exploring career and college options and develop a career plan.

Principal, Devon Bowen, commended the collaborative, dynamic approach of the Career Services Team and Team LSHS during Careers Week 2024.

“We are truly grateful for the invaluable support and guidance offered to our students. They were expertly supported and guided by the team as they engaged in resume and cover letter writing in preparation for mock interviews. We look forward to greater opportunities for collaboration in the future as we equip our young people to take their place in a global society,” he said.