Education minister says now is the time for students to become entrepreneurs
NASSAU BAHAMAS — Destiny Cooper, 18, a University of The Bahamas (UB) student, is just one of the many young Bahamian students struggling to find a job amidst the country’s unstable economic climate.
Cooper, a BioChem major, told Eyewitness News she has applied to at least 30 businesses since March of last year.
Although she considers herself fortunate to be currently employed, she has found that her academic expenses exceed her current salary, therefore she remains in search of another job.
“It would be in a period where [a business would] be open and then they suddenly close again because of restrictions, so they would no longer be hiring,” Cooper said.
Another student having a similar experience said she feels universities can do more to assist students with gaining work experience and job placement.
Halexys Williams, 20, a Media Journalism junior at UB, said: “So, [they can] reach out to places like ‘hey, are you willing to offer a certain amount of college students a job for a payment?’ or something, just to make it easier for the students.”
Other students agreed, however, Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd maintained this is the time for students to be entrepreneurs.
“I invite you to equip yourself. This is an opportunity and a time now for self-employment and entrepreneurship,” he told Eyewitness News.
“Equip yourself; that’s why the University of The Bahamas has free tuition for all qualified Bahamian students, full-time.
“That’s why the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) has free tuition for all qualified full-time Bahamian students.”
Lloyd said such institutions provide students with the resources to become their own employer.
Some students are becoming more open to starting their own business, such as 19-year-old Nathan Lloyd.
Lloyd, a BTVI student majoring in Software Engineering, said: “I think if college students want to make money, they should become entrepreneurs.”
But Bruce Chisholm, an Electrical Engineering UB sophomore, feels students who want to work in their fields are not being given the opportunity to gain job experience.
“They want you to have experience but they’re not willing to give the experience to you,” said Chisholm, 19.
Some students said they wish employers would try to be more understanding of college students’ course schedules and give them an opportunity to gain the work experience they need.
One student, who did not wish to be named, said the country needs to come together collectively to build up the economy.
“This whole pandemic really showed that we need to get it together,” she said.
Written by Eyewitness News Intern Jade Russell
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