FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – One hundred and seventy-five students participating in the first phase of the Office of the Prime Minister’s Summer Job Programme were addressed by Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe, who urged them to make the best of the opportunity during their four weeks of employment.

During the group’s orientation, June 27, at the Foster B. Pestaina Centre, they were told by Mrs. Edgecombe, Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama & Bimini, that they will gain experiences that will be valuable, not only on the job but also to their communities.

Sharing her personal experience, she said that when she came home from college one summer, she couldn’t find work; but with an aunt, working at a lime farm in East Grand Bahama, she had one of the best experiences of her life.

It was not long after, said Mrs. Edgecombe that ZNS called and she went to work and did so for a number of years.

“I didn’t let the job at hand deter me from working because in everything that you do, you are going to gain experiences.” Some students may question why they are being placed in certain areas but, she continued, “Your steps are ordered by God and the experiences you are going to encounter, you may not necessarily feel [are] going to benefit you in your life, but I guarantee you there are no mistakes,” and with prayer they will develop their purpose.

When working with the programme, continued Mrs. Edgecombe, they are on the job to leave a positive impression. Their employers will watch and determine what they have to offer, and even though it is very important to get an education, it is how they use that education that is important.  Just having knowledge today is not enough, she said, it is important to know how to apply the knowledge in everyday life.

In closing, she said, if they make a valuable contribution while on the job, some of their employers will want to keep them every summer while they are in school. She urged them to be professional and be productive while on the job, not on their phones or talking with their friends. There may be times that there appears to be nothing to do, this is when they should create something: be the person who does more, not less.

The Summer Job Programme begins on Monday, July 1, and will run for four weeks.