For many young people who recently completed their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), leaving school and entering the workforce marks a major adjustment.
They will be faced with new responsibilities, challenges and, on the whole, dealing with people in different environments.
Therapist Joses Solomon told Ignite News that one of the biggest challenges is that some young people enter the workforce without knowing how to speak up for themselves.
“We need to create children that are able to speak up, push against boundaries, advocate for themselves,” Solomon said.
She explained that young people may also be afraid to ask questions or admit when they do not understand something, especially when they have grown up feeling that making mistakes is unacceptable.
“You’re scared of looking bad because growing up, when you make a mistake, it’s like everything. All hell breaks loose,” she added.
Solomon noted that adjusting to adulthood also requires young people to understand themselves and the experiences that may be affecting how they think and behave. Doing that internal work, she explained, can build self-awareness and help young people develop better emotional control and regulation.
Social media can add to the pressure. Young people may see others getting good jobs, travelling, attending university or appearing to live better lives, and feel as though they are falling behind.
But people do not always know what is happening behind those posts, Solomon pointed out. Instead of allowing comparison to become destructive, she noted, young people can use it to motivate themselves and work towards their own goals.
Solomon also stressed that young people should not wait until they are in crisis before seeking help.
“You don’t have to wait till something goes wrong or there’s a major crisis to go get help,” she added, noting that therapy can also help people work through issues before they become overwhelming.
Solomon believes employers also have a responsibility to help young workers adjust. Workplaces, she suggested, should have proper onboarding, mentorship and support systems, while helping young employees develop skills that will benefit them beyond their current jobs.
