Author: Division of Education, Skills and Innovation

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