< Previous28 | Friday, 17 February Several organisations on-island provide scholarships to assist Caymanians in pursuing careers in science. Here, recipients relate their chosen field and aspirations for the future. Lysenia Elliott – Island Heritage Lysenia Elliott is the recipient of Island Heritage Insurance Company’s 2022 educational grant, assisting her to pursue her goal of becoming a veterinarian. Lysenia, 18, is studying at the University of South Florida, where she is earning a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in animal biology. “I chose to pursue a career in veterinary studies as my passion from childhood has always been for animals,” she says. “Although I’ve owned many small pets, I have become more passionate about dealing with large animals throughout the course of my internship opportunities.” The John Gray High School graduate plans to obtain her doctorate in veterinary medicine, and then return to Cayman to pursue a career in her chosen field. “I enjoy assisting animals and trying to ease their discomfort,” she says. “It’s a vet’s job to do everything possible to find out the cause of the problem and treat the animal accordingly.” Lysenia says the educational grant was a boost to her career path, helping cover expenses while studying overseas. Joshua Martin - Dart Joshua Martin is studying dentistry at King’s College London. He is in his fifth and final year, preparing to graduate in July of 2023. “From an early age I was interested in a career in healthcare, and after being given an opportunity in Year 11 to carry out shadowing at a local dental clinic I realised that I wanted to become a dentist,” he says. “I enjoy being able to see patients and build a rapport with them, and help improve their health, confidence and relieve their pain,” he says. “Dentistry is a great career if you have both a scientific and artistic flair and have a passion for helping others.” After completing the required year of vocational training with the NHS, Joshua, 22, plans to pursue dentistry in the UK. A graduate of Cayman Prep and High School, Joshua says the Dart scholarship he received in 2018 not only benefitted him financially but also helped to build relationships with fellow scholars. “This scholarship has benefitted me by allowing me to become a part of a wider network of Dart scholars,” he says. “There are many opportunities to allow me to socialise and network with other Dart scholars, who are also excelling academically and professionally.” Joshua plans to eventually return home to Cayman and establish a practice here. “Ultimately, I look forward to returning home in the future to serve my local community,” he says. Anja van Genderen - Dart Anja van Genderen is in her final year of earning her master’s degree in biochemistry at Uppsala University in Sweden. The 2014 Dart Scholar recipient says she enjoys learning about biological processes and the chemistry that drives them. “I also learn best outside of lectures, in practical classes or demonstrations, for example,” she says. Pursuing careers in science 29Friday, 17 February | Pursuing careers in science “During my master’s degree, I have had many opportunities to learn about and perform a variety of experimental techniques, and I am drawn towards the hands-on lab work because of its challenge and rewards.” Anja, 22, plans to further her studies after completing her master’s degree. “I hope to one day complete a PhD in biochemistry or a related field. I really enjoy academic life and feeling like my work is contributing towards a small part of scientific understanding,” she says. A graduate of Cayman Prep and High School, Anja says the Dart scholarship has benefited her in many ways, including financially as well as receiving support and encouragement from Dart Enterprises’ Education Programmes Manager Glenda McTaggart, as well as providing opportunities to travel. It also gave her a chance to meet such world-renowned achievers as Richard Branson and astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly. “Before heading to university, summer trips such as the visit to CERN and Oxford Scholastica summer school gave me a taste of scientific research and helped me decide on my path in the sciences,” she says. “All of these experiences and opportunities have enriched my life and have set me on the path to make my own contribution to humanity in the life sciences. It has been, and is, an honour and a privilege to be a Dart Scholar.” Diandra Whittaker - Dart Diandra Whittaker is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in reproductive biology at the University of Edinburgh. Now in her third year of study, the St. Ignatius Catholic High School graduate plans to return home to Cayman to establish a career here. “I hope to pursue a career in clinical embryology in order to provide women in Cayman options within their own country instead of travelling abroad,” she says. “However, I would also love to work as a researcher within the field of reproductive biology, more specifically looking at the fertility of women and its consequent decrease with age.” A 2017 Dart High School Scholar, Diandra also hopes to use her degree to promote awareness of reproductive health. “I believe providing woman with this knowledge allows them to regain agency of their bodies and make informed decisions,” she says. Diandra, 19, says the scholarship programme helped her choose which university to attend. “The yearly summer trips during high school helped me narrow my choices in university locations and got me to start thinking of what I was looking for in a university,” she says. “It also provided me with my first look into the work world.” Emma Turnbull - Dart Emma Turnbull is in her first year of earning a PhD in virology at Newcastle University in the UK. Having a passion for science throughout high school, the Cayman Prep and High School graduate decided to undertake an undergraduate degree in biomedical sciences. “In my final year of my degree, I took modules such as immunology of health and disease and cancer biology,” she says. “From this, my dissertation project was centred on the innate immune system, which further confirmed my passion for medical research.” She then undertook a research masters in immunobiology where she wrote her thesis on the immune response to hospital-acquired lung infections. “From this, I saw how lab-based research contributes to clinical outcomes through the development of new drugs,” she says. “I then decided I wanted to continue in the field of medical research by applying for a PhD centred on the innate immune response to influenza virus infections.” Once Emma completes her doctorate in three years, she plans to pursue a career in medical research or within the medical industry. Emma, 23, received a Dart high school scholarship in 2014-2018 and the William A. Dart university scholarship from 2018-2022. “I have had the benefit of Dart’s guidance and support throughout my high school and tertiary education which has been invaluable,” she says. “The scholarship opened my eyes to a whole world of possibilities for me career-wise. It also gave me the financial backing to make my career goals a reality.”30 | Friday, 17 February Recruitment agencies: what are the advantages of seeking help? Whether you are presently employed, or out of work and looking for your next adventure, the process of fi nding your dream job can be arduous and time-consuming. We talked to Louise Reed, managing director and co-owner at CML & Nova Recruitment, about why jobseekers might consider approaching a recruitment agency to help make it easier. Q: What are the advantages of using a recruitment agency when looking for a job? A: Registering with a recruitment agency will ultimately save you time, energy and stress, as they get your foot in the door and do the heavy lifting to match you with the right job and send out applications. It is also a great source of career advice. Recruitment consultants have intimate knowledge of the local market, the skills companies are looking for, what jobs are available, salary guidance information and the frequency of openings in your chosen fi eld/ level. All invaluable information when planning and making career decisions. Using an agency gives you access to many more job opportunities than you’d come across on your own. As a job seeker, you must keep your eyes peeled across printed media, job boards, career pages and social media to ensure you’re fi nding a range of positions. Recruitment agencies know about hundreds of job openings at once and are usually the fi rst to hear about a new role and will reach out when one ticks all the boxes you’ve identifi ed that are of interest to you. Recruiters have a strong understanding of the ideal candidate and qualities employers are looking for in a new hire, so they can help you to put your best foot forward at each stage of the recruitment process. An experienced local recruiter will be able to introduce you to contacts at the companies they work with, giving you access to new connections in your industry and alerting you to new positions as they become available; this Louise Reed 31Friday, 17 February | is especially important in niche markets and positions. And, as a job seeker, it’s free. You have access to more opportunities, receive great feedback, and have to do much less work. Q: What qualities should a job seeker look for when choosing a recruitment agency? A: When choosing a recruiter to partner with in your job search, you should ensure they have strong relationships within your specific industry and employers of interest. That way, you can feel confident that their introduction gives you an advantage over a direct application. The best recruiters also work tirelessly to understand your professional history and career aspirations so they can offer a personalised planning process. A specialist recruiter will have a strong understanding of your market and understand and empathise with industry-specific issues and challenges you may be facing, offering confident and knowledgeable advice throughout. Do not settle for less. Q: What makes a candidate stand out, both to a recruiter and to prospective employers? A: A good recruiter will help you navigate how you stand out to a prospective employer, but it’s also important to jump off the screen to a recruiter, too. Recruiters get hundreds of résumés a week, so it’s essential to have a résumé with enough pertinent information to get you noticed for the roles you are interested in. The recruiter can help you refine it further and tailor your skillsets for each specific role. Your résumé is only the beginning though; it’s important that when meeting/speaking with your recruiter that you showcase all your best soft skills. Remember that you not only need to impress employers, but also your recruiter because they need to feel you are a good fit for their clients and can feel confident putting you forward for roles. Understanding what you are looking for and what you need from your next role is a great help; it’s also really important to be open to feedback. Your recruiter will also advise that you ‘professionalise’ your online profiles. Make sure your Facebook and Instagram pages have the proper security and talk you through how to make sure your LinkedIn profile is helping you get picked up in online searches. Your relationship with a recruiter is a partnership, so it’s crucial to stay in touch with them as well as the other way around. Recruiters can take and make hundreds of calls a day, so a call or email every other week or so for niche searches to update is great. 32 | Friday, 17 February Mixolog�: Bartending elevated to the next level There was a time when bartending was considered a bridge job – something one did after university before getting a ‘real career’. Well, times have signifi cantly changed. Long gone are the days where popping open a beer bottle, eyeballing a rum and coke with not a jigger in sight, and reaching for a can of orange juice was the done thing. The role of bartender has been elevated to the point where experts in their fi eld are head- hunted the world over, and establishments are paying big bucks for those who can bring the goods. Just as there are celebrity chefs, so there are celebrity mixologists. One only has to look at the recent Cayman Cookout weekend at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman to realise how far the profession has come. Charles Joly, global bartending champion, was one of the international presenters on deck. Imagine being fl own around the world to demonstrate your creative cocktail skills. Interested? Read on. Although bartending is a skill you can learn on the job, there are courses of study available in Cayman and abroad. For example, University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) off ers bartending and event planning as part of its tourism training course. Then there is Wineschool3 by Christian Esser, located in Cannon Place, which covers everything from wine and sake certifi cations to bar courses, and a deep dive into the world of whisky, cognac, rum and gin. You don’t have to travel overseas to get your qualifi cations, and there are subsequently opportunities at local bars and restaurants to get on-the-job training, particularly for Caymanians. Many venue owners would love to see more locals getting into the service industry. In fact, Markus Mueri, long-time restaurateur and co-owner of such popular dining spots as Abacus and KARoo, has been a huge advocate of having a hospitality school in Cayman, encouraging students to sign up. Bartending at a high-profi le venue can be very lucrative, and lots of fun – particularly for night owls with energy to spare. But even if the interest of working until 3 a.m. begins to dwindle over time, there are other ways to utilise your learned skills. Amba Lamb, an Antipodean legend in the local beverage industry, started out as a server in the UK and New Zealand, before moving to bartending soon after. When she joined the staff at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, her creative prowess got her noticed, and she was made beverage manager at the prestigious resort. At the same time, Amba participated in many cocktail competitions, winning the World Class Cayman bartending crown in 2017, which had her representing the islands in the international fi nal. She is now a Diageo brand ambassador at Jacques Scott, and is often selected to judge bartending competitions herself. “The world of bartending has changed signifi cantly, just in my lifetime,” Amba notes. “What was once considered a part-time or temporary job for someone trying to fi gure out what they wanted to do when they ‘grew up’, is now a respected career path that off ers numerous possibilities and even an opportunity to travel the world.” Amba LambBecause your education matters to you …it matters to us. Apply now for the Island Heritage $10,000 Educational Grant. Visit islandheritageinsurance.com/educationalgrant for more information and to download our application form. Deadline for applications is Friday, 30 June 2023. Home • Motor • Yacht • Commercial • Pension Insurance the Island Heritage way For more information visit islandheritageinsurance.com, call +1 345 949 7280 or email customercare@islandheritage.com.ky Island Heritage Insurance Company, Ltd. is part of the BF&M Limited group of companies 202129-Ad-CareersGuide-Education1 11/24/23 11:35:40 AM OFFSHORE LAW SPECIALISTS BERMUDA BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS CAYMAN ISLANDS GUERNSEY JERSEY CAPE TOWN HONG KONG SAR LONDON SINGAPORE careyolsen.com Articled clerk and scholarship opportunities Our 18-month articled clerk training program will provide you with invaluable insight and commercial experience under the guidance of our highly-regarded Cayman Islands lawyers. Candidates must have or expect to obtain a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree. We offer two types of annual scholarship for local or overseas study: up to US$12,000 to support a suitably qualified Caymanian student pursuing undergraduate studies; and up to US$30,000 to support a Caymanian graduate studying for a GDL or LPC qualification. To apply to join us, please send a covering letter along with your CV and proof of your Caymanian status to: recruitment@careyolsen.com BIGGER PICTURE 33Friday, 17 February | 34 | Friday, 17 February Beauty and body therapy: Local certifications with global reach As a customer, odds are good that if you call any spa or salon looking for an appointment, there won’t be anything immediately available. Why? Because now, more than ever, people are focused on wellness and treating themselves to body therapy, which means that any business with a good reputation will be constantly busy. Working in the beauty, massage and aesthetics industry offers an excellent combination of job satisfaction and security, with many therapists eventually opening their own business. Such skills are also in demand in other countries, with qualified professionals working in five-star resorts, luxury spas, or on cruise ships sailing the seven seas. The Cayman Career Academy, located on Smith Road, is a fully accredited international beauty school with diploma and certification courses covering beauty therapy, massage therapy, beauty and spa management, aesthetics, body therapy, facials, manicures and pedicures, and waxing. This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in this type of career to study on the island, rather than incurring the costs of studying abroad. Once they’ve dipped their toes in the water, so to speak, they can apply what they’ve learned on the job, then possibly look at enhancing or expanding their training at international academies. One of the great advantages to the beauty therapy course of study is the fact that it often involves hands-on experience before trainees step foot in a spa or salon. Volunteers agree to free treatments in exchange for students being able to practise on them (not on day one, of course). These opportunities help build confidence as well as improve secondary requirements, such as the appropriate way to interact with clients. For example: After asking standard questions before beginning a treatment, should a therapist continue conversing with a customer, or not speak unless it is clear the client wishes to chat? Some patrons will prefer quiet while they relax through a massage or facial, whereas others might like more interaction. Lessons such as these are all part of the education process. Charlene Barnes, owner of Focus Hair & Beauty Salon in The Marquee Plaza, has been in the business for quite a while, yet her passion has not diminished. “The hair and beauty industry isn’t easy at first, but if you are passionate for this career path it’s so worth it,” Barnes says. “I still love what I do after over 40 years, it’s not a job to me – it’s my life and I love it. “Making people feel great about themselves; being there for people who want to talk; meeting different people… it’s never boring.” She also emphasised the fact that it’s a great career choice for those who want to travel, and should they want to open their own business in the future, why not? “Having your own business… and all this, while having fun. What more could one ask for in life?” she says.Start your journey to success and fulfilling your dreams with the SteppingStones Education Grant. The CI$5,000 Grant is awarded to a Caymanian student and can be used towards a Bachelor’s Degree within HR, Finance, IT or Business. Learn more at www.steppingstonesrecruitment.com/about-us/education-grant/ STEPPINGSTONES EDUCATION GRANT D’Vonte Joseph Current Scholarship Recipients Let us invest in your future Water Authority-Cayman is now accepting applications for its 2023 Annual Scholarship. The successful applicant could receive up to CI$35,000 to pursue an undergraduate academic or technical/ vocational degree or diploma in a field of study relevant to the Authority’s work. Visit our website www.waterauthority.ky to apply today! APPLICATION DEADLINE: 28 FEBRUARY 2023 Investing in the Cayman Islands since 1983. Alexander EliasLevi Superville 35Friday, 17 February | 36 | Friday, 17 February Government and private organisations offer scholarships to educate Cayman Islands’ youth, and avoid financial constraints from keeping the best and brightest students from achieving their dreams. There is a wide range of scholarships available in Cayman, including, but not limited to, the below. CAYMAN ISLANDS GOVERNMENT The Ministry of Education, through the Education Council, offers an overseas scholarship for an undergraduate degree to a maximum of $30,000 per annum, for up to four years, per successful applicant, and a post-graduate award of up to $35,000 per annum. The ministry also offers an Educational Scholarship which provides a maximum of $35,000 per annum for applicants pursuing teaching qualifications. Application period for Ministry of Education scholarships runs from 15 November to 31 January for overseas scholarships and 1 March to 30 April for local scholarships. w: moescholarships.gov.ky The ministry also now offers The Government High Schools Scholar Award, valued at up to $100,000 per year, which aims to provide full tuition support to the most outstanding Caymanian male and female scholars accepted to pursue overseas undergraduate tertiary studies at some of the world’s most prestigious universities. w: gov.ky/education The Education Council in collaboration with other entities also provides scholarships in specialty areas specific to boat building – Gwen Bush Scholarship and the maritime industry – The MACI scholarship. w: moescholarships.gov.ky/res/p/documents CAYMAN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism offers partial and full scholarships to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in tourism. e: motscholars@caymanislands.ky w: scholarships.ourcayman.ky WATER AUTHORITY The Water Authority offers an annual scholarship of up to $35,000 for students wishing to pursue higher education or a vocational degree in fields of study relevant to the work of the organisation. The deadline for applicants for the 2023 annual scholarship is 28 February. e: hr@waterauthority.ky w: waterauthority.ky/scholarships-how-to-apply GOVERNMENT OF CANADA Global Affairs Canada (GAC) offers the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) scholarships, which provide students from post- secondary institutions in eligible Caribbean countries/ territories, with short-term exchange opportunities for study and research in Canadian post-secondary institutions, at college, undergraduate and graduate levels. ELAP scholarships are facilitated through institutional collaborations and student exchange agreements between post-secondary institutions in Canada and their partners in eligible Caribbean countries/territories. w: educanada.ca/scholarships-bourses/can/ institutions/elap-pfla.aspx?lang=eng ADDISON KELLY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP The Addison Kelly Memorial Scholarship is awarded for up to a maximum of four years for a bachelor’s or master’s degree or other certification from an accredited overseas institution. It is administered through the Alex Panton Foundation (APF) with support from Addi Kelly’s family. Applicants must be accepted to a competitively ranked and accredited institution to pursue studies in a programme related to mental health. For more details and criteria visit the website. Deadline for applications is 14 April, 2023. e: assistance@alexpantonfoundation.ky. w: alexpantonfoundation.ky/addison-kelly- memorial-scholarship SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 37Friday, 17 February | SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES APPLEBY The Appleby Legal Scholarship programme provides funding for the law degree course and subsequent professional practice courses at the Truman Bodden Law School, or an approved overseas university, and is worth more than US$100,000 over the duration of the degree and professional practice courses. The scholarship covers tuition fees, examination fees, as well as the cost of necessary textbooks, and recipients are also provided with a living allowance of US$2,400 per month and four weeks’ work experience each summer in one of the company’s practice groups. Deadline for applications is 1 March. e: kyscholarships@applebyglobal.com w: applebyglobal.com/careers BUTTERFIELD The Butterfield Undergraduate Scholarship provides financial assistance to Caymanian students, aged 17 to 25 years, with proven academic achievements and leadership abilities. The scholarship is available for any course of study that will benefit the Cayman Islands. The recipient will receive up to US$30,000 per annum for up to four years of study. Deadline is Friday, 31 March. e: caystudents@butterfieldgroup.com w: butterfieldgroup.com/sites/butterfield-corp/files/ careers/202601-ext-form-undergraduate-scholarship- application-2023.pdf CAMPBELLS Campbells offers an overseas undergraduate scholarship of up to US$20,000 for Caymanians, with preference given to legal applicants. Subject to meeting continuing conditions, successful applicants have the potential to be supported for the duration of their degree programme (three years), with the opportunity for additional support throughout their PPC, LPC (BVC), BPTC or equivalent. Applications close 1 April, annually. t: 949-2648 e: scholarships@campbellslegal.com w: campbellslegal.com/students-and- graduates/scholarships CAYMAN ISLANDS MONETARY AUTHORITY CIMA’s Thomas Jefferson Memorial Scholarship was established in 2007 in memory of the late Thomas Jefferson, former Financial Secretary and Leader of Government Business. It offers an award of $25,000 per year for students pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, statistics, public administration, or business administration. Recipients are required to work at CIMA during their school breaks, and on completion of their studies for a period of up to four years. w: cima.ky/internship-scholarship CHEVENING SCHOLARSHIP Chevening is the UK Government’s international scholarship programme aimed at developing global leaders. Chevening scholarships offer full financial support to relocate to the UK and study any of the 12,000 available master’s degree courses at more than 150 UK universities. It offers a unique opportunity for future leaders, influencers, and decision-makers to develop professionally and academically, network extensively, experience UK culture, and build lasting, positive relationships. Supported by the Governor’s Office, applications from Caymanians for the next cohort in 2024/25 will be open from September to November 2023. e: milo.dack@fcdo.gov.uk w: chevening.org CIMPA The CIMPA Scholarship is an annual $5,000 scholarship that is awarded based on merit to a local student with an interest in pursuing a career in marketing or other related fields. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a local educational institution (or accredited online educational programme) and be between 16-25 years of age. To apply, and for other application criteria, visit the CIMPA website. Applications run from 8 March to 31 May, 2023. w: cimpa.ky COMPASS MEDIA Compass Media offers a journalism scholarship worth $2,500 to Caymanian applicants with a desire to pursue a further education locally or overseas with a view to a career in the journalism industry. They must have been accepted, or a pending acceptance from an accredited college, university, or vocational school. Visit the website for full details, criteria and how to apply. Entry deadline is Friday, 30 June. e: community@compassmedia.ky w: caymancompass.com/scholarships Next >