Approximately 36 years ago after graduating from high school, I became employed in the Bahamas Public Service as a Nursing Auxiliary at the Ministry of Health, Princess Margaret Hospital for four (4) years, assisting staff nurses in the care of patients. It was my first job. I was in my late teens at that time. During my first week, the staff nurse asked me to assist her in preparing a patient. He was about to see his relatives during visiting hours. We put clean clothes on the patient and clean sheets on the bed. Only then did the nurse inform me that the patient had just passed away and that his family was coming to see his body. I was so startled that I picked up my handbag and went home. Being a new employee, I was not aware that after an individual has expired, the nurse still prepares the patient to be viewed by family members. This shocking, unforgettable incident has helped me in my HR role in onboarding and training new recruits.
Since my first job, I've worked in various areas of the public service, which consists of different ministries and departments, such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Housing, Department of Statistics, Ministry of National Security, Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Labour, Consumer Affairs Unit, etc. I ventured into the secretarial field, first in the hospital and then in the Royal Bahamas Police Force, where I worked in various sensitive departments dealing with highly confidential files. Then I was transferred to the Human Resources Section.
I chose HR Management because I could influence innumerable aspects of the organisation, assist in its employees' development, and influence strategic organisational decisions. An organisation is only as good as its employees, and its employees are only as good as its HR team. This has been my mantra for being a successful HR professional. Currently, I am a human resources professional for the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
In life, some incidents open our eyes to our current situation and force us to move higher in our careers. Settling at a certain level might be an injustice you are doing to yourself and to those that are dependent on you. Recently, an employee was injured on the job, which left her incapacitated. I felt that my superior didn’t handle the situation efficiently, knowing well that HR is dedicated to the welfare of all employees. I saw first-hand how inhumane some managers can be. I was sad, angry, and helpless. That stirred something in me to be able to help from a higher position. As I've noticed, education has given me an in-depth understanding and helped me to become more diverse in my field. Only education would help me to resolve all employee-related issues faster and more efficiently. During my career, the quest for knowledge has been an integral component of my existence. While working, I completed Human Resource Management I and II Personal Development Courses via the Centre for Continuing Education and Extension Services, The College of The Bahamas. I also pursued an online Associate Degree in Human Resource Management. In 2013, I earned a BSc in Business Administration. A few years ago, I earned a Certified Manager Certification from the Institute of International Certified Professional Managers (ICPM) along with 13,000 other managers from 60 countries. Subsequently, I was promoted to my current role. I had noticed the role of education in transforming my career. I've been convinced by that incident that I must aim for higher positions to be better able to help the employees of my organisation. Hence, nine years after my BSc, I enrolled in this Masters Program in Human Resource Management.
You may be wondering how I keep myself motivated to keep learning and how I manage my time between work, family, and personal life! Firstly, my husband has been my pillar of strength because he has always had confidence in me that I can do whatever I want to do without failing. He pushes me each step of the way regarding my education and career. Secondly, I practise proper time management. I believe in having a healthy work-life balance to achieve my goals. I work 9 - 5 Monday through Friday. Finding time for learning is hard, but not impossible. During my lunch break, I would study for one hour. After 5 p.m., I would study for two hours and then spend the rest of the evening with my family. At the weekend, I would relax by having some alone time. And my biggest motivation is my mother. I was born as the youngest of three children in the late 1960s in the Bahamas. My mother was the sole provider for us in the absence of my father. She was a civil servant serving in the capacity of a janitress in the Ministry of Education. It was a struggle to make ends meet with her small $200/month salary. However, we were happy and made it through the hard times. Only because of her support and example, I was educated in the public school sy
stem and graduated from The Government High School at the age of 16.
For all my blessings, first I would like to say that if it wasn’t for the Creator, I would not have been here today! I am not only grateful to my mother Victoria Edwards for the strict upbringing of my siblings and me, but also for walking with us each step of the way, especially when it was rough. She continued to toil endlessly so that her children could have the best. I marvel at her strength of will and determination. I am who I am today because of her love and patience. She was a role model to all her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
I would like to conclude with the advice that, if you are an HR professional, build relationships in your organisation at every level. They are your biggest achievements. Hire like-minded professionals. They will get the work done without giving you any headaches. For a change, stand back and let people evaluate your performance. Embrace their opinion with an open heart, without arguing back or shutting them off. When in a crisis, let your superior know what you can do now instead of dwelling on past accomplishments. HR professionals are problem solvers. If you cannot contribute to solving your employer's problems, you might as well do some other job than be an HR professional. Instead of negotiating, focus on hiring a good, talented person who can be a game changer for your organisation. Remember, in the end, quality is appreciated instead of quantity. Thus, retain the performing people instead of controlling their numbers. Treat the employees as you would like yourself to be treated. Don’t look at the employees as human capital, as the HR policy books have been describing them over the years.