He is only 16, but after a day spent “shadowing” CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank Managing Director, Nigel Holness, Sayeed Bernard says “if Mr Holness decides to leave, I’ll take the job”.

Of course, he will first have to complete high school at St George’s College where he is currently preparing to take seven subjects in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and one at CAPE. He already has two CSEC subjects — English langueage and mathematics.

Then, he plans to study law in university. But after his “out of this world” experiences at CIBC FirstCaribbean’s New Kingston headquarters, Sayeed says his “career path is much clearer”.

The managing director’s position is “first choice” having been exposed to the intricacies of managing an enterprise he previously thought “only gave out loans”. After time spent “watching the treasury department team buying and trading in stocks and bonds, seeing the critical role played by the Compliance Department “, Sayeed is also open to a position as the bank’s Lawyer.

In fact, he says, “I knew before that I wanted to study law but now I am certain I will specialise in corporate law”.

Sayeed earned his “beyond expectation” day at CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank during his participation in November 2014, at the Junior Achievement Company of Entrepreneurs (JACE) programme annual general meeting, where his keen questions caught Holness’ attention. He and other senior department heads who “worked” with Sayeed were quite impressed with his “maturity and focus”, key attributes for a career in banking.