KINGSTON, Jamaica —“Stay ready, so when your time comes, you don’t miss it,” said Government Senator Delano Seiveright in a Friday morning address to Calabar High School’s upper school students.

A past student, Seiveright emphasised that success is rarely built on hype or chance but rather on consistent preparation, discipline, and a willingness to adapt.

Speaking about success, personal growth, and real-world readiness, he urged students to be grounded, focused, skilled, and prepared, because opportunity won’t wait.

He challenged the students to move beyond outdated thinking that equates success solely with university degrees.

“Let’s be real, not everyone needs a degree to win. Whether you go the academic route, learn a trade, or start a business, what counts is that you’re acquiring real, in-demand skills that solve real problems.”

Seiveright highlighted high-paying vocational careers such as tilers, electrical, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians, mechanics, digital services, and even landscaping businesses, stating that: “Skills pay the bills. Degrees open doors, for sure, but it’s your skills and mindset that will keep those doors open”.

Beyond career pathways, Seiveright stressed the importance of grooming and self-presentation, making it clear that how a young man dresses, grooms, and carries himself sends a message, in many work circles, before he even speaks.

“You need to look like someone who takes yourself seriously. That’s how people start taking you seriously,” he remarked.

He also emphasised emotional intelligence (EQ) as a modern superpower, noting that the ability to manage emotions, resolve conflicts, and read a room can be more valuable than raw IQ. “It’s not just what you know — it’s how you handle pressure, communicate, and build relationships that will determine your success,” he emphasised.

The government senator also pointed to networking and collaboration.

“Your classmates, your teachers, your mentors — these are future leaders and decision-makers. Build those relationships now. People open doors that hard work alone sometimes can’t,” said Seviveright.

Looking ahead, Seiveright underscored the disruptive power of technology and artificial intelligence. “The world is moving fast — with or without you. You either adapt or get left behind. Learn a digital skill. Build a brand. Stay relevant,” he encouraged.

As Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Seiveright painted a picture of opportunity within the sector. He pointed to direct and indirect employment of over 350,000 Jamaicans and a wave of hotel expansion currently underway.

“Tourism is not just hotels and beaches, it’s logistics, construction, agriculture, entertainment, digital marketing, transportation, and more. It’s a billion-dollar opportunity — and you don’t have to wait for someone to hand it to you.”

He reminded students that they stand on the shoulders of greatness — with Calabar having produced national icons such as former Prime Minister PJ Patterson, former National Security Minister Derrick Smith, Seprod CEO Richard Pandohie, former Commissioner of Police and head of the Army and now Ambassador Anthony Anderson, academic giant Professor John Clarke, and global cultural influencers like Vybz Kartel, Baby Cham, and Masicka.

“These men walked the same pathways as you. They didn’t wait to get lucky. They stayed ready — and when opportunity came, they moved,” he said.