– From two CSEC subjects to two Bachelor’s Degrees

SHERRY Oneka Jerrick concedes that she did not excel academically earlier in her life when she left high school with two CXC subjects, but she wants the world to know today that with hard work, ambitions and the right attitude, anyone can pick up themselves up and continue where he left off.

“Never give up on yourself. Ever.We all have greatness within us,” she said in an interview with the Pepperpot Magazine .

Reflecting on her life, Sherry realised that she by no means had it easy. At the same time, though, she can see that the resilience she showed when she encountered challenges, helped to mould her into becoming a well-rounded individual.
At age 40, Sherry is the single-parent mother of two daughters, ages 15 and nine. She faced a major challenge studying and working, while at the same time trying to raise her children well.

“If one would ask, I will say that my life is a success story with many chapters either completed, untold or unwritten. Chapters that have pains, failures and disappointments,” she expressed.

Being the only child in the home, Sherry recalled that she was a “spoilt brat” to the extent that she got whatever she wanted with little or no concern for discipline. “However, I commenced my journey of employment at age 17 and very soon thereafter, I learned that life is a long, winding road filled with potholes, hurdles, turns and people,” she said.

ASSISTANT TOWN CLERK
Born and raised in North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Sherry attended Stella Maris Primary, Central High School and eventually pressed on to the University of Guyana. She wanted to become a nurse and did all she could to achieve this goal until she faced the unexpected circumstances.

Sherry was afforded the opportunity to do work study at a popular city hospital. “I vomited, fainted and scorned everything that was the embodiment of such a health care facility during my tenure. Just imagine this caring, loving, warmhearted person not being mentally able to fulfill her dreams. I was shattered but I am happy to state that it was bittersweet since I had an instant reality check,” she said.

The medical field now aside, Sherry pursued studies in Information Technology, Accounting, Industrial Relations and Administrative Management, among others. And she also managed to garner skills in floral arrangements, interior decorating and graphic designing, which led to her even owning and managing an Internet Café and Document Centre at one point.

Currently, Sherry is the Deputy Town Clerk (ag) at the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) although her substantive post is Assistant Town Clerk. She started working at City Hall in 1995 as an Area Warden (Field Officer) and over the past 23 years, was promoted from Level 3 to Level 13.

“My life of work practically started from two CXC’s and grew to two Bachelor’s Degrees: Degree in Sociology (BSoc) and Degree in Law (LLB). All I wrote was Maths and English at CXC. But I did three additional CXCs after I started working. The Council employed me with only the two CXCs. Every other qualification I gained on the job,” she recalled.

Sherry is now in the process of commencing a ‘Masters’ in Public Administration and possibly after completion will add a ‘Doctorate’ to her name. “I have not decided whether I am going to complete the Legal Education Certificate and practice Law, as I am not financially equipped to so do. My professional career is admirable and outstanding and there is scope for upward mobility. I am still contemplating whether my tour of duty in Local Governance will continue to my retirement or maybe, just maybe, I may spread my wings and fly. After all, I am still a youthful asset within the labour market.”

‘MS. UNBOTHERED’

Sherry believes that overcoming any challenge rests on faith in God. “I am not going to lie, pretend or portray any acts of hypocrisy because I am really not a frequent churchgoer, but in my own way, every day I pray, read the word and deeply, I truly believe in the God of the Bible,” she said.
“For those who know me well, I am Ms. Unbothered. But in my quiet moments, I am a thinker. I analyse and evaluate every situation contextually and decide on the best way forward, along with a backup plan as well.”
Sherry says she could’ve been much further on the social ladder if in her formative years, she understood the power of education. “Notwithstanding, I am a strong-willed, confident and positive female. I am not easily angered or deterred from my goals. I believe in me and ‘ah like maself.’ I think I stand as a role model for what young women, in particularly low achievers and early school leavers can accomplish if they believe in themselves, work hard and never compromise,” she expressed.

Her favourite quote is one by Martin Luther King Jr: “Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great, because greatness is determined by service.”
“I like that quote because I hate talk shops; I dislike policies without affirmative actions and I have total disdain for people talking about doing good and not really doing any good. The problem is that society is no longer closely knitted. The social fabric of life is tattered and torn, if it still exists,” she said. “We strive to be powerful and authoritative rather than to be selfless and humanitarian. Often humans dwell on mediocrity and hypocrisy as opposed to doing real good deeds. I believe that greatness is within all of us, but it is better advanced when we do well for others and allow them to also shine.”