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This Week We Feature Young Professional Jacob E. Edwards
“I saw the struggles my mother went through to raise her six children, me being the fourth. She is responsible for who I am today because had she not been the real woman she was and still is, I don’t know where I would have been or what my life was going to turn out to be,” said our Young Professional for this Week.
Jacob grew up in East End, a community which is said to be home to some of the toughest people but has produced some of the most leading and accomplished in the territory.
Today, Jacob is the Guidance Counselor at the Willard Wheatley and Ivan Dawson Primary Schools, having started at the beginning of this academic school year, September.
He attended the Althea Scatliffe Primary School and then the BVI High School, now Elmore Stoutt High School where he graduated with Grade Ones and decided to continue on to the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) where he pursued General Studies with a concentration in Biology.
Being someone who is goal-oriented and determined, Jacob was not going to just stop at having a college diploma and wanted to take his studies as far as practically possible. That led to the south in the United States of America at the Lee University where he attained a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Counseling.
He graduated as an Honour Student of Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee.
“My time away studying was really tough, really tough both financially and academically but I made it. My time away, the experience of living in the south of the US, was really different but I went there with a goal and I left having achieved that goal and today my country is reaping the benefits.”
Testimony for qualified unemployed
Jacob said he has a testimony to share with especially the unemployed youth who have their qualifications but are out of a job at this time.
He told the story of him returning from Lee University with his bachelor’s degree but did not immediately find a job to suit his qualifications. “I started volunteering as soon as I came home from college at the Elmore Stoutt High School. You know some of us expect the government to do certain things but sometimes we just have to put ourselves out there. So, I started volunteering and then a door opened at Althea Scatliffe after the guidance counselor left on maternity leave. So, I filled in for her voluntarily. Then this September I got the post where I am now.”
Jacob, a very warm and conversational personality, also noted that it is quite alright to step on a different career path once you discover what it is will bring you greater satisfaction.
“Sometimes what you want to do is not what you should be or need to be doing.” He explained that when he went off to study in the USA he started off in the field of Biology, having started that line of studies at HLSCC.
“I was thinking sometimes what you like doing is not what you need to be doing and I always had a thing for giving people advice and just helping people from time I knew myself, so I think that psychology was the way for me, that’s where I think I needed to be and I made the switch and here I am enjoying being an inspiration to so many young children and doing it as a profession.”
Music & God
The other side of Jacob is that of leading a life that salutes and reveres God. For many years he has been a member of a group call Men of Standard in Christ.
He also loves playing music and has a special romantic affair with the piano, one he said will never grow cold. “The piano is very sexy, I love the piano,” he said in a burst of laughter.
Goals
His plan for the future is not one to see him only owning a multimillion dollar company or property but our Young Professional endeavours to further his studies to see himself elevating to a position where he can be one of the leading role models and mentors for youth.
“The youth of today really need somebody to be there for them to impact their lives. So for the next five to ten years I see myself escalating to the point where I could be doing only positive things.”
Advice to youth
Jacob said his advice to youth is one he also directs to himself.
“Never give up. Life is not easy but it is a blessing and the only thing that can stop you from succeeding in life is yourself. So just make up your mind and push, push, push.”
PUSH is the acronym for Pray Until Something Happens.
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32 Responses to “This Week We Feature Young Professional Jacob E. Edwards”
Love you bro.
The dividends are rewarding.
Your classmate.
Continue inspiring and excelling Jacob.
The Galaxy's not even the limit.
Fr: Church Sister
Jacob, on behalf of your EVS Family: Well done Son! May you daily continue to reflect the Love of Christ. We love and miss you...Mrs. Gloria