Give All Youth the Same Job Opportunities

A recent interview in the Sunday's Outlook magazine profiled one of Jamaica's most charming personality, Dorothy Pine-McLarty, who has dedicated many years to not only the legal profession but to her country. Her interview indicated the difficulties she experienced in breaking the barriers that impeded women during her time from entering male dominated professions. But, she overcame the hurdles and have had a very successful career. However, in comparing her life of discrimination to the special opportunities extended to her daughter, it was obvious to see nepotism at its best in Jamaica. Surely there are many brilliant Jamaican students who, if they had such influential parent, they too would be able to gain first class experience working and learning from well-known executives at Grace Kennedy, JAMPRO, Sandals, Myers, Fletcher, and Gordon. Yet, unfortunately, these brilliant minds are struggling to obtain employment as they constantly receive depressing news from job applications that they do not have experience. How can these young people gain experience if they do not have any connections who will provide them with experience through mentoring. In a perfect world, we would hope that the playing field could be leveled so that all young people will have equal opportunity to gain experience working and learning through mentorship at some of the top companies in Jamaica.