Sharon Rowley: Work ethics begin at school

“They will look at your name.

They will find out about you. All that you say online can be documented, shared and judged,” she said.

Addressing the opening yesterday of Bishop Anstey High School’s career fair at the school in Port-of- Spain, Rowley, a past student and deputy head prefect, said, “Watch how you conduct yourself on social media. Watch what you say online.

Watch the pictures you post on Facebook.” Telling the pupils to watch their language too, she said, “We can say many things without using curse words. Some think it is cool to do that.” They feel boys will look at them if they use curse words because they are cool, “But think again,” she said, because “when they come to choose their wives” they will look elsewhere.

In seeking admission to universities, said Rowley, an attorney, many universities were looking for allround students.

“They look for evidence of community service. Volunteering is important. Sport is important. Extra- curricular activities are important.

Some universities will actually overlook you if you have none of these on your CV (curriculum vitae),” she said.

Now is not too early for students, she said, to start building their CVs In terms of career choice, she said, “You need to think seriously about what you love. Follow your dreams – but you have to dream realistically.” Using her own experiences and those of her family members, she said what a student may want to become might change several times before they make that choice. Initially, she said, she wanted to become an archaeologist, then a doctor and finally she had to make the choice of studying either economics or law. She chose law.

He husband’s initial’s choice, she said, was to become a journalist, but instead he became a geologist before becoming a politician.

While dreams are always a good starting point, she said, “Be guided by your natural abilities.” “If you don’t like to cook you can’t be a chef. If you don’t like to read, you can’t do law, because that is all you do.” While parents can help students to make choices, she said, “They should not actually make those choices for you.” Some parents would want students to do what they wanted because they did not have the opportunity to do it.

“They may see themselves in you. Don’t get vex with them. They mean well. They are just trying to help you along the way to make the right choices.” Once students chose what they liked, she said, they will not say “Boring” when someone asked them how school was, or when they went to university they would not change from one major to another, thereby incurring more costs and prolonged studies.

“And of course you will not drop out of university if you choose something you like,” she said.

But whatever subjects or career they chose, she said, “You must always have proper work ethics. That starts from school.” Asking the students to remember Mahatma Gandhi’s quote, “The future depends on what you do today,” she said, “With hard work, dedication and faith in God, your