On March 24, 2016, YES alumni in Liberia hosted a career development event for 50 high school seniors in Monrovia. The goal of the event was to help provide guidance for seniors who are interested in pursuing careers in science, business development, and Information Communication Technology.

Alumni invited guest speakers from each of those fields to attend the event and share their advice with the students. The Chairman of the Geology Department at the University of Liberia, Professor Jonathan Mason, spoke first. He discussed the requirements and benefits of pursuing a degree in Geology, and showcased the worth of a geologist in contemporary Liberia and the world in general. He advised the students who are interested in science on what classes to take in order to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Geology.

Next, Mr. Mahmud Johnson, a young entrepreneur who started the palm oil business, J-Palm Liberia, spoke to the students about business development. He used his own success story to highlight the potential for entrepreneurs in Liberia. Mr. Johnson, who is a graduate of Dartmouth College in the U.S., borrowed $10,000 from the bank to start his business, and has grown the business to be worth over $500,000 in just three years. This was very inspirational to the high school students.

The last speaker, Mr. Osel Williams, an IT specialist at Parker and Associates, spoke about the importance of pursuing a career in the IT industry. He told the participants that IT specialists have no boundaries, because in the current technological age, they are needed in almost every industry.

Hearing from the three guest speakers not only helped the students start planning for their futures, but the YES alumni as well. Mr. Hansen Hne of iEARN-Liberia closed the event by giving some final words of encouragement. He said, “Liberia does not have a lot of Geologists and entrepreneurs, so the information provided by the speakers is a challenge for you young people to pursue a career that will not only support you, but also fill in gaps that are highly needed in Liberia’s economy.”

No matter what career path they choose, the YES alumni in Liberia are already proving themselves to be great leaders!