I would encourage students to be persistent, dedicated and mindful of their tertiary studies. There are times when one gets tired, frustrated and actually fed-up of examinations. However, at the end of the day, the quality of a degree from the University of London carries a lot of weight.
After I graduated from the Law programme in 2003, I needed to study to get into the Hugh Wooding Law School with its limited annual space from a field of approximately 500 students in order to complete my Bar examinations. The intake per year was usually 18 students. I am convinced that it was my studies towards my University of London degree and the burning desire to stay ahead that paid off for me.
I would encourage all potential students to reach for their dreams. When I was a teenager, I wanted to become a Lawyer but my parents were not rich and it was impossible to see myself becoming an Attorney. I drew a map from where I was to where I wanted to be and I weighed the cost of getting there and asked myself: ‘Do I want it so bad that I am prepared to sacrifice for it?’ The answer was yes and the story just unfolded as I went along, one year at a time.
After attaining my LLB degree, the Chairman of Gulf Insurance Limited, the well known Charles Salvatori, offered me the position of Assistant Secretary of the Company. He then told me that once I pursued my Bar exams with success, I would be appointed Corporate Secretary since the present one was about to depart for France, permanently. That was the encouragement and boost that I needed.
Today, I am the Corporate Secretary and assistant to the Chairman of Gulf Insurance Limited. The position is one which is well paid, excellent perks and tremendous responsibilities. Travelling which I love is one of the perks of the job and this all started with a University of London degree.
I have been approached by many other corporate bodies in Trinidad, but due to my loyalty to Gulf Insurance Limited I have remained committed and it truly has been paying off.
I would encourage all to get on with their studies towards a degree from the University of London.
