Dear Editor,

Several higher educational institutions had postponed their highly anticipated graduation ceremonies from November 2025 to January 2026 due to the impact of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which disrupted the academic calendar.

Thankfully, our colleges and universities made provisions to allow these students to celebrate their respective milestones. As an academic, I understand first-hand the rigour endured and the sacrifices students make to achieve their degrees. I, therefore, express my sincerest congratulations to each of them and wish them well in their professional and personal endeavours.

Some of these graduates have already secured employment — which is good — but the reality is that many will struggle to find decent-paying jobs. Unfortunately, some will get the shock of their lives: The promised ease of finding a job will prove difficult, not because they are not qualified, but because there are still not enough jobs available. Additionally, there are some people who are employed or promoted based on links or their willingness to compromise their morals and values for senior executive members.

One of my mentees, who recently completed his first degree in computer science at Northern Caribbean University, has already become frustrated about job hunting. I understand his pain. He is a brilliant and morally upright young man who just wants to earn his honest bread to help support his poverty-stricken family. He does not understand why he has not been able to secure at least an interview. He sometimes thinks of changing his address (Manchester) on his resume to perhaps stand a chance. He further believes that one needs to have ‘links’ in order to get by. He left me this message one day: “I feel down…I really believe it boils down to the persons you know. It’s hard to find something. I will be trying forever.” Still, I try to encourage him that it will get better one day.

Given the challenges surrounding the job market and the propagation of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) — described by some as a disruptive enhancer which brings both advantages and worries — it is important that students carefully choose their career paths. The world is changing faster than ever before, and its economy is affected by everything, from new technology to rising or declining populations; therefore, it can be hard to predict what the job market will look like.

In fact, many experts have opined that most of the jobs that graduates will occupy over the next decade do not yet exist. This raises a tough but pertinent question: How can students decide what to pursue if they cannot be sure what their future jobs might look like?

In this context, students should try to ‘future-proof’ their choices by considering global trends. In other words, they should ensure that there will be a demand for the skills they develop in university or college.

One of the most crucial global issues is climate change and how it will shape the world economy in the future. As governments and businesses worldwide continue to invest in green technologies and other solutions to global warming, it is reasonable to anticipate expansion in related jobs. Consequently, science and engineering graduates are likely to be in demand in the foreseeable future. There is even the field of environmental engineering that is rapidly increasing. Relatedly, areas of public health and economics are still expected to be valuable.

With the rapid advancement of modern technology, AI and robotics are good friends to pursue. It is said that we are on the verge of an AI revolution. Although AI is already becoming commonplace in our daily operations, the potential applications of it are nearly limitless. The same is true about robotics engineering.

Whichever degree one chooses to pursue, one thing is certain: Education and skills are more important than ever. A more flexible education system would allow students (and workers) to re-skill and brush up on the latest industry knowledge. This is critical in a world that changes so rapidly. It would help workers adapt to a changing economy and ensure they are still a desirable candidate for jobs, not just locally, but also regionally and internationally.

There is a moral and social argument for continued access to education. Lifelong learning is something that can be profoundly enriching, and everyone should pursue it for personal and societal development.

maddenoniel@yahoo.com