Surviving the corporate jungle
Keresa Arnold and Leethan Grandison,Youthlink Writer

In today's high-pressure work environment, it is not unusual for conflicts to arise between our values as individuals and the compromises that we must make for our organisations.

Every year, a significant number of youngsters trod into the working society. In an attempt to properly gear youngsters, the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Success Jamaica and the Youthlink teamed up to ensure that they have the tools needed to function successfully in the corporate world.

Dubbed 'Surviving the Corporate Jungle' and held at the Inter-Faculty Lecture Theatre at the University of the West Indies (UWI) recently, the seminar targeted final-year students and others going into the world of work.

According to Carina Cockburn, one of the directors of Success Jamaica, "The seminar is geared to have young people learning more about the corporate world."

Success Jamaica is a non-profit organisation set up to operate this seminar twice a year in Kingston and Montego Bay.

The seminar, which featured a series of panel discussions with young professionals, saw chief executive officers and managers speaking "to the participants about the world of work," commented Cockburn.

The over 250 participants who turned out for the seminars came from the National Youth Service (NYS), UWI, University of Technology and some high schools.

Kimberly Martin, deputy head girl of St Jago High, said it was very informative and influential.

"It's a good concept for students going into the working world." Martin said the initiative by Success Jamaica was "a good opportunity to learn and network, plus it will provide efficient ways to go through job hunting and what's necessary for the world of work."

Others charged it as a push-start for branching off into entrepreneurship, while others praised the emphasis placed on being innovative, driven, having spiritual support and other lessons necessary to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

Monique Smith of NYS said, "Overall, I think it was very interesting." She also said that it provided more than just information on becoming an entrepreneur, it also gave a lot of encouragement. "The image building was important," she said.

Other topics discussed at the seminar were compensation and benefits/legal rights at the workplace, and money management skills.

These students pay close attention during the seminar targeting final-year students and others going into the world of work, held at the Inter-Faculty Lecture Theatre, University of the West Indies, recently.	Mark McKenzie, chair of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica's (PSOJ) education committee, and managing director of Red Stripe, addresses students at the Surviving the Corporate Jungle seminar on April 12. PSOJ came on board as title sponsors and used the opportunity to launch their mentorship programme.

Some of the participants who turned out for Surviving the Corporate Jungle. This is the fifth year of the seminar held in Montego Bay and Kingston annually.	Members of the creative entrepreneur panel (from left) Kwame Jackson, Alexander Melville, Gary Matalon and Safiya Burton present at the Surviving the Corporate Jungle seminar, held at the University of the West Indies on April 12. Laura Butler and Carina Cockburn, directors of Success Jamaica Ltd, organise the annual seminar.

- Photos by Leethan Grandison