SEEKING to encourage students to begin thinking about their future, and even aligning themselves with the local oil and gas industry, Queen’s College held its annual Career Fair and Open Day activity at the school on Friday.

At the event,a host of agencies edified the students on the opportunities available after school, regardless of whether they intended on furthering their studies first or diving right into the world of work.

Addressing her students, Principal Jackie Benn-Ralph, spoke glowingly of the opportunities presented through the career fair.

“It is especially designed to exhibit our students’ abilities, skills and talents,” she noted, adding that it was also a forum for tertiary education institutions and the private and public sector agencies to showcase the opportunities students have after completing high school.

Speaking directly about the career opportunities presented, the Principal noted, “We also desire for our students to be exposed to career choices that they may want to pursue; this we believe, will empower our students to make sound career choices.”

This year, while a myriad of career choices was illustrated, there was a great focus placed on the oil and gas industry and geared at promoting President David Granger’s vision of a ‘Green Economy’.

“As a developing nation, the educational sector needs to focus on honing the skills of the human capital,” Benn-Ralph said and added, “As we approach 2020, our system must adequately equip our students with the necessary skills to be able to function in a more technologically advanced environment, which will move this country forward.”

Fostering this agenda was a presentation made by QC old boy and an internationally recognised oil and gas expert, Dr. Dennis Peters, on career opportunities in the oil and gas industry.

He sought to explain the intricacies of the oil and gas industry, beginning from exploration to marketing, and attempted to dispel some of the misconceptions that the young people may have.

Peters advanced that the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) area is not the only leeway for persons to penetrate the field. Peters noted that the sector also needs lawyers and businessmen and women.

“Everything is timing and opportunities and I’m sure the same thing will happen to you in your lives if you keep working hard,” Peters said.

Also addressing the students was Colonel Desmond Roberts, an old boy of the college and who had hoisted the Golden Arrowhead atop Mount Ayanganna when Guyana achieved Independence on May 26, 1966.

He too encouraged the students to make the best use of the opportunities afforded to them, but reminded them that their school days will forever be the best days.

This was the second year the college embarked upon conducting a career fair alongside its Open Day activities which have been part of the college’s calendar of event for some 14 years.