This Week We Feature Young Professional Dierdra D. Wheatley-Peters
Currently reading for her Doctorate in Psychology, our Young Professional for this week, Dierdra D. Wheatley-Peters, is aiming to reach the Holy Grail of education not only for herself but for her family and the territory at large.
Currently the acting Human Resources Manager at the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Mrs Wheatley-Peters has her hands full with her career, her family and her continuing higher education.
She was a student of the St George’s Primary School before moving on to the then BVI High School before attending the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) where she obtained her Associate’s Degree in General Studies with concentration in Business Management and Literature. She then finished up her Bachelor’s Degree online with Ashford State University and after starting it at Columbus State University in Georgia, USA, moved on to do an online Master’s Degree from Capella State University where she completed a Master’s in Psychology with concentration in Counseling and Industrial Organisation Psychology.
Wheatley-Peters is currently finishing up her Doctoral Degree at Capella University in Psychology.
Perseverance despite challenges
Wheatley-Peters, who also has a post-graduate certificate in College Teaching, said she became pregnant while in college working on her undergraduate degree, however, she was able to continue by enrolling in an online programme.
“I chose not to stop because college is not just for me but for him [her son] as well. I have to be an example to him and also be able to provide for him financially,” she said.
Our Young Professional said it was a bit of a challenge to pursue her own studies while her son was in the early stages of his educational development and thus needed her attention more than anything.
“He has turned out great so far...he is an honour roll student,” she said proudly of her son.
About the PhD studies, she said that this is more a challenge of ensurance and application rather than just obtaining knowledge as one does when reading for a first degree. “The PhD has been a challenge as there are a lot of hoops to jump through. Right now I am at the dissertation stage so I have to be doing a lot of interviews and contributing to the scientific literature. Right now I have a one year old in addition to my big boy so it is a lot. But I think it is just a matter of being dedicated and disciplined,” said our Young Professional.
When she started working for Government she started out at the Human Resources Department Central in 2008 and in a year and couple months she was promoted to a desk manager and about three years later promoted to HR Manager.
She said in five years she sees herself in her full time job taking a strategic role in something that is in learning and development related, noting that right now she is more in an operational role than a strategic one.
In addition, she aspires to teach at least on a part time basis and that is one of the reasons she commenced studies for the PhD. She also hopes to do some research in the region with a view to doing some writing and publishing of her work.
Musical talent
Our Young Professional is not all books. She can carry a tune as she is a member of the Third Dimension band as a vocalist. She said while she is on a little break with the band she intends to restart this part of her many activities. She describes music as her getaway.
Advice to youth
Our Young Professional said a lot of unplanned things happen in life and sometimes persons use these events as an excuse to stop pushing and just exist. “But you need to continue regardless of what bumps you hit. It is a matter of restrategising and continuing to what the actual goals are. There is no need to just settle and say well this and this happened so life done...life don’t have to be done. You are in control of your own destiny,” said Wheatley-Peters.
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