Dear Editor,

Recently, a Jamaican-born cousin of mine who now resides in the United States was ready to return there after spending around three weeks in Jamaica. He came into my room to notify me that it was time for him to leave. In my head, it seemed as though he had spent more time than average, so I asked him how many vacation days he took. He chuckled and then explained to me that he is his own boss, so he can take however long off work if he so desires. He is an Uber driver.

We then had a fruitful conversation, which encompassed freedom, choice, economics, risk-taking, academic qualifications, among others. Of course, I knew he did some ‘Ubering’, but I did not know it was his full-time job, given that he is the holder of a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He noted that the novel coronavirus pandemic changed his life and he does not see himself working for the capitalist system presently. Notwithstanding, he admitted that there are some risks associated with his current job, but he is happy with the forecast for now.

The substantive point from our interaction is that we, especially young people, ought to be open-minded and willing to take risks — of course, after doing our analyses. We ought to understand that we are not limited to the academic qualification that we possess. We may have different passions and vocations, but we have to use our expertise to our advantage. With the right upskilling through short courses and professional workshops and training, we can transfer all of that knowledge and skill set to be able to function in different and new pathways both locally and internationally.

A nurse who constantly works under pressure and with scarce resources could transfer his or her experience to another sector that is fast-paced and requires meticulous skills. An educator who spends much of his or her time designing and delivering lessons and activities and conducting assessments to different levels of learnings with varying learning styles and multiple intelligences could transition into the corporate world to join the training unit of a company. Those who studied public policy could spend time honing their skills in targeted niche areas and expanding their network to capitalise on industry-relevant experiences that will help them to contribute meaningfully to the development of the society.

The nature of the workspace has significantly erupted and it requires people who are not just book smart but also workers who are adaptable, flexible, creative, and innovative. The application of theoretical knowledge is of vital importance. Importantly, it does not only mean working in a formal context. By now we should know that for the average employed person, having one source of income sometimes does not suffice. Therefore, the manner in which we transfer our skills will determine the extent to which we can monetise our competencies.

With the world being more of a global village, opportunities are right at our fingertips — just a click away. We can work with agencies and companies from different time zones and countries from the comfort of our homes or offices. Who would not want to benefit from multiple sources of income in this economic climate?

The notion of professionalism is also evolving. It is no longer limited to having academic qualifications and spending a good portion of one’s day working from an office, nicely dressed. It is about one’s level of productivity and impact. It is about balance — improving the output of the company for which you work but at the same time ensuring that you are not just surviving but living. Therefore, why not be an accountant by day and an Uber driver by night?

With the sudden transportation increase announced by Minister Daryl Vaz, we will definitely need additionally sources of income. It will even be more for those who have to journey between Mandeville and Kingston when January comes and the new toll rates come into effect for the leg of the highway that was recently opened.

Oneil Madden

maddenoniel@yahoo.com