Monrovia – Liberian Media Developer, Heston Matthew Jackson, has embarked on a new thread of his spirited vocation sojourn aimed at preparing youths in the country for career paths.
Jackson who described the venture as a new beginning of guiding youths on scouting job opportunities, over the weekend kickoffs what he deemed adorable at the Seventh Day Adventist Central Church in Monrovia, scolding youths on the need to be prepared to meet available opportunities.
Jackson said he has decided to dedicate time to youth career development, following an invitation extended to him, by the youth of the SDA Central Church over the weekend.
Speaking at the career day mini-symposium for members of the church, on the theme, “career growth and job searching” Jackson II, who himself is a member of the church and a fellow youth stressed the importance of having a personal brand if young people want to excel in the professional world.
Harnessing the synergies between the different topics, Jackson, a communication specialist to a new USAID activity, which he declined not to mention, first provided a disclaimer, that whatever he stressed was his individual views and not that of his entity, but said he is happy to share information with young people, to make the necessary career decisions, building todays society.
The recent former Knowledge Management Officer of Breakthrough ACTION, and former Learning and Communications Manager of Countywide Sanitation Activity (CWSA), both AID-funded activities emphasized what are career growth and personal career development.
He also drilled the interactive session on the circle of career growth, as he emphasized self-awareness, career-awareness, goal setting, self-training, performing the task of one’s choosing, then career progression, and how to search for a job.
Members of the Monocia Central Church, SDA, were advised to fake their resumes and have a personal brand, that is sellable.
“Remember, applying, your resume will sell you, in your absence, so have a statement that says ENOUGH about who you are, the individual and skillsets you bring on the job, and what are your accomplishments.”
Jackson said, too often, young people fail to accept internships or volunteer jobs, despite not having qualifications, and by that, he asked, “How then do you want to develop skillsets?” Another important point he delivered is the fact that whenever a person wants to make a career move, it is important to locate industry professionals who can point them in the right direction.
He said it is important to understand the trend jobs are taking, which one is paying, and just understanding the industry trends.
According to Jackson career growth must consider any action(s) taken to make informed educational, occupational, and employment choices.
This, he believes, borders on enhancing the ability to become productive and contribute meaningfully to societal growth a dust passes through stages.
However, he admonished them to uphold values at all times in their career path and must employ ideas to gain confidence from work places.
At the same time, Jackson stimulated the youths to always embrace new ideas that will positively impact them and make them viable for the job market.
Meanwhile, Jackson has committed himself to not only limiting his new string of helping young people achieve the SDA Church but across all sectors.
