– Mother of three learns new skills through observation

RACQUEL Dasilva Gonsalves was not content to just focus on that aspect of the job that she was hired to do; but her interest in other facets of the work, coupled with her diligence and desire to learn more, paved the way for her to move on to greater tasks.

When she initially joined the optical field, it was to assist customers in choosing suitable frames for their spectacles. But Racquel used any opportunity she got to learn about the different skills involved in completing the entire process.
In an interview with Pepperpot Magazine recently, the 37-year-old mother of three knew the value of a day’s pay, and she’s always kept in mind her goal to move up in life and possibly one day, even own her own business.

Just by paying attention and using her observational skills, Racquel, now an optical technician, was able to learn how to cut and fit up the glasses for customers. “I always had a passion for it,” she reflected.

As a sales clerk, she paid close attention to how the technicians cut and fit up the glasses and was always very intrigued by such work. Having enjoyed a stint at Dasilva’s House of Optics, Racquel then joined the team at Value Eyewear and that’s when she took up that interest. She later moved on to Lens Craft Optical where she is currently located.

“Nobody really trained me; I just watched and observed and tried it. It didn’t come out good the first times I tried, but I had a passion for it and it became easier and like a hobby to me,” she expressed, adding, “I trained myself. Some of the jobs were complicated and I thought to myself, ‘How can I get it done?’ But the constant trying all the time is what makes it perfect. So basically, I would say I trained myself.”

Especially of interest to Racquel is the fact that the job of an optical technician is rarely performed by a woman. She likes the challenge and is motivated by it to be the best she can in the field. “At least other young women can see that even though a job may have been cut out for a man, there is a woman that can actually do the same thing.”
Racquel has gained so much knowledge and competence on the job that should she decide to open her own business, she’d know all the ropes, so to speak. “I would know how to programme myself and how to go about doing something like this; I can handle myself in a business.”

At the moment, Racquel said that she can do “every little thing in the optical field” and will definitely be taking steps in the direction of becoming her own boss. “Everyone who loves their job wants to be able to do something on their own. Nobody wants to be working for someone for the rest of their life. So my goal is one to open my own optical because I have gained so much knowledge and skills,” she expressed.

Racquel has found the optical field to be very interesting and has observed that there is not a lot of training in the field locally. “It’s costly especially for a mom who has to look after her family and still go to work. There is not much she can do to pursue a career in this field.”

While courses may be available at a university level, Racquel said the affordability is what often becomes a problem for persons. “This field is mostly private in Guyana. For a person like me who started off by looking and observing and training myself, I wish there was more that I could have done to get a certificate; something to show that I know what I am doing.
Racquel is mom to kids ages 13, 11 and 8.