JPS Foundation’s mentorship programme impresses

Aiming to empower the next generation through a year-long mentorship programme, the JPS Foundation recently hosted a face-to-face session for seven tertiary students to equip them with practical professional insights.

For first-year University of West Indies (UWI), Mona student Antonio Spence, there was much to absorb from the multi-faceted agenda, held at JPS corporate headquarters that he credited as being impactful. 

"I found the experience to be positively rewarding, and very engaging. I was able to commune with many individuals who would've completed the university experience and could impart real-life knowledge," assessed the 22-year-old microbiology major.

The day's three-hour-long programme, which featured breakout sessions on career planning, goal setting, and strength-finding exercises, had students from UWI, the University of Technology, Mico University College, and Church Teachers' College in attendance.

Of interest to Spence was the themed segment on 'Preparing a Budget' led by JPS Foundation Head, Sophia Lewis. 

"She demonstrated the importance of saving and developing disciplined spending habits.  I learnt to take advantage of different financial institutions when saving, and to hold myself accountable for my funds and expenses.  A tip for saving smart was to save via investing in the stock market," shared the Frome Technical High School graduate whose collegiate extracurricular activities include membership to the UWI America Society of Microbiology and the Biology Students' Association.

Also appreciative of being on the invite list was Leonie Harris, a mathematics student in her freshman year at Mico.

"I enjoyed every moment of the mentorship workshop. It was great meeting the volunteers and listening to their words of encouragement," she raved of her Friday spent diving into lessons on career and personal development.  "The workshop made a great impact on me as I was able to find a mentor who I had many things in common with," added the 19-year-old Harris, an alum of Merl Grove and St. Mary high schools, the latter where she completed sixth form.

"I informed my mentor of some issues I struggle with in school and she provided guidance in helping me to set SMART goals. This program gave me the opportunity to have someone who will help me stay on track and provide the necessary guidance for me to succeed in school and life."  Shanique Donaldson-McIntosh, JPS' Area manager for customer experience, was Harris' assigned mentor.

The partnership came after an ice-breaker exercise where the students and select JPS staff fielded questions that revealed their personality types. This was followed by speed-rounds of three-minute sessions wherein the prospective mentors and mentees engaged in revolving one-on-one repartees, from which the students culled their mentor shortlist.

Registering to be part of her company's Volunteers On Location to Serve (VOLTS) program, and by extension, the twelve-month mentorship exercise, Donaldson-McIntosh explained: "I believe that based on my own journey and experiences I can have a positive impact on the life of someone else."

With her mentee Leonie, the JPS manager said she is looking "to create a mentorship relationship that is supportive where she [Harris] feels comfortable asking for advice, sharing her challenges and aspirations. I want to be her sounding board, someone who listens, provides open and honest feedback and encouragement.  I too hope to gain from this programme as I learn from Leonie's unique perspective and fresh approach."

Much like her colleague, Tania McDonald-Tomlinson, Director, People Operations and Special Projects at JPS, saw high value in the interface between the power company's mentors and the blossoming set poised to enter the workforce soon.
"The session seemed to have been very meaningful for the participants. There was a wealth of information that the students could learn from," shared McDonald-Tomlinson, who led a segment on career planning and job interview preparation.

"As a mentor [she was eventually paired with UTech engineering student, Ackeem Grant], I appreciated the opportunity to have a short one-on-one with the students. I loved their individuality and enjoyed the quick but interesting conversations with each of them."

Calling it a wrap on the day's workshop, participants were then afforded a field trip to the Systems Control department, at JPS.

Bused from the New Kingston headquarters, the party of seven were given a guided tour at the facility, for rare front-row access to the island's power management grid.