IF you’re here for a story of perseverance, unexpected dreams, and a little bit of destiny, you’ve come to the right place. This is the journey of how I found myself in my dream job at the coolest beer company in the world — Red Stripe — and all the growth and lessons that came along the way.

The truth is, growing up I never actually dreamed of working. My view of adulthood was pretty rosy — different from what reality later taught me. I pictured myself as a present mom to two kids, married, enjoying the occasional girls’ night, and taking advantage of all life has to offer. However, working? That never really crossed my mind.

Still, I’ve always had a passion for numbers. While I was a well-rounded student, math stood out because it challenged me to think deeper, solve problems, and uncover new perspectives. Numbers felt like stories waiting to be told, and that fascinated me. And yes, I know what you’re thinking: “She must be a nerd to love math!” Guilty as charged.

My “nerdiness” faced its first big test with principles of accounts. In class it all made sense but at home I was completely lost — cue full-blown meltdown: pacing, bawling, hyperventilating. My mom reassured me while my aunt, who lived with us at the time, watched with loving amusement. When I finally calmed down she smiled and said, “It cannot be that bad, can it?” I insisted it was. Turns out, my aunt had taught accounting before! She patiently guided me from scratch, making me practise until I could do T-accounts in my sleep. Now, as a first class honours graduate in banking and finance and accounting, it’s wild to think those same T-accounts once had me in tears.

Let’s backtrack a bit to university. I didn’t start The University of the West Indies (The UWI) with a perfect match for my passion. While I loved math, I was more drawn to its analytical side so I chose banking and finance. Along the way I met incredible people — lecturers and classmates who made the journey unforgettable. But it wasn’t smooth sailing. There were breakdowns, endless walks across campus, and moments of doubt. I got lost often, and dreaded stepping into Student Administration System (SAS). Still, I pushed through, and three years later my “best” was enough.

By my final year the big question was, “What’s next?” I explored my interests through internships and conversations with mentors (thanks to Deidrea Dwyer-Evans, Jevon Henry, Patrice Whitely, Michael Roofe, and Michael Williams) but I was still searching for that spark. Then I saw a post from UWI’s Career and Placement Services encouraging 2024 grads to submit their resumes. I thought, “Why not?” and sent mine. Offers came in, but none felt right.

Then one random Wednesday Mareka Simpson from Red Stripe called to invite me to interview for the finance intern position. I was thrilled, but kept my cool. I had applied two months earlier and hadn’t heard back so when I finally got the call I was overwhelmed with emotions. Delayed, but never denied.

On interview day I was nervous, my mind racing like our athletes in Paris. Thankfully, Sherry Perrier put me at ease with her reassuring words and calm approach. She made me feel I was in great hands and warmed me up to joining Red Stripe. I’ve always believed that true satisfaction comes from balancing work and spiritual life, and I was determined to find a positive work environment — one that values employees, promotes well-being, encourages open communication, embraces “work hard, play hard”, and makes a real difference in Jamaica. Red Stripe turned out to be all that and more, though my first month brought quite the culture shock.

Here’s the inside scoop: Red Stripe House’s layout is stunning, with departments sharing stylish, ergonomic, and communal spaces. Unlike the typical siloed set-up, the separation here is minimal, creating a vibrant energy where everyone is caring, helpful, and welcoming, yet takes their work, health, and safety seriously. It took me a while to adjust to people genuinely asking, “How are you?” and waiting for an answer while sharing their own insights. The synergy between management and employees is a beautiful thing to witness, and I even look forward to our Managing Director Daaf “ManHimself” Van Tilburg making his morning rounds of handshakes and check-ins.

Currently, I’m working with the business control team, applying my passion for numbers to boost the company’s efficiency. It’s fascinating how numbers and historical data reveal insights and guide decisions that impact the company’s local and global standing. The team has welcomed me with open arms and taught me invaluable lessons that go beyond what I learned in school. They’ve given me the space to form my own perspectives, leverage my strengths, and contribute meaningfully to our shared goals.

Typically, as an intern you find yourself as an extension of the team — learning and handling ad hoc tasks. However, here I’m actively involved, working with the team to achieve goals and meet KPIs, all while creating lasting change. I also get to branch out into other functions, like supporting digital and technology and engaging with customers through initiatives like Beer Love and Corporate Sales. These experiences provide valuable opportunities to ask questions, observe patterns, and gain insights that enhance my understanding of the industry and improve my approach to tasks.

I embarked on this experience with the aim of feeding my curiosity, narrowing down a specialty within finance, developing professionally and personally, learning from those around me — regardless of their field — and leaving a positive, vibrant impression on everyone I encounter. Sometimes I can hardly believe I am living out answered prayers. While things are far from perfect, Red Stripe has created an environment that encourages growth for every member of its team. This space has helped me progress in my goals and instilled additional values that I know will serve me well for years to come.

Dominique Miller is a finance intern at Red Stripe.