MEET the lovely Mellisa Layne, an Engineer II at the National Frequency Management Unit (NMFU), where she has been for the past year-and-a-half.

She describes the ICT field as one that is very interesting and limitless in which telecommunications is developing and growing.

Layne said her job entails management of the spectrum resources of the country with two other colleagues but finds it very interesting and challenging as an exciting career.

This enterprising young woman has her mind set on achieving her MBA in Computer Science at Nations University and has completed six months with another six to go.

Layne told this publication that in the ICT field you can build from one area to another in rapid succession because it has so much to offer. Therefore, she is encouraging more girls and young women to pursue careers in that field which she deems as very rewarding.

The 26-year-old said she wanted to become a journalist after completing work-study at National Communications Network (NCN) but was encouraged by her father to venture into ICT and she did and today is quite pleased the way things turned out for her.

Layne holds a degree in Computer Science from the University of Guyana (UG) and is pursuing a one-year course to attain her Masters at a private university.

She is also skilled in Adobe Suite Design and website and web technology development, among other computer-related skills.

MULTITUDE OF CAREERS
Layne is challenging more girls and women to enter in the ICT field since it has a multitude of careers to offer but there is a need for more resources where more open-door computer centres can be set up for youths for free usage.

She stated that for girls and women to become interested in ICT they must first be introduced to the possibilities so they can become interested in technology, pointing out that they need to have their appetite stirred.

NEED FOR CAREER FAIRS
Layne said there is also the need for more awareness among our youths to highlight the careers they can undertake by career fairs, symposiums and other forms of advertisements.

She said she is self-driven to success and will work hard and long to attain the goals she has set even though it will not be easy.

Her dream is to some day soon establish an open-door computer centre where youths can visit and be educated free of cost.

Layne spends a lot of time volunteering in ICT and is also a part-time Computer Training Manager at Global Technology and noted that marriage is not on the horizon for her just yet since she wants to fulfill her father’s wishes of first getting her Masters.

She told this newspaper that the ICT arena can change your life for the better since it has so much to offer and girls and women can make use of the opportunities to enhance their lives.

Originally from a small village on the Essequibo Coast called Aberdeen, Layne now resides at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo and comes from a very close knit family of three sisters and parents.

There is also another side to Layne – she is an excellent cook and enjoys preparing sumptuous dishes and always has an open mind to try newer recipes.

She spends a lot of time in the kitchen and also likes to meet people and socialize and hopes that more girls and women would embrace technology instead of being afraid to enter the sector.