Georgetown – As part of observances for International Education Week November 16-20 under the theme of “Access for All”, the U.S. Embassy hosted a career guidance seminar titled “Launching Your Global Career with STEM” at the Theatre Guild. The seminar aimed to share information with Guyanese students on career opportunities in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and encourage them to pursue careers in the field of STEM.
Chief Education Officer Olato Sam opened the seminar and encouraged students from various schools across Georgetown to follow their passion and strongly consider careers in the sciences. He was followed by accomplished professionals who shared their backgrounds and highlighted career opportunities in the STEM fields. Speakers included geologist David Puls, Venture Operations Manager, Exxon Mobil, Joseph Holder, retired engineer and consultant, Jennifer Hoyte, U.S. Fulbright Scholar and math instructor at the University of Guyana (UG), and Sachin Ramsuran, UG 2015 Valedictorian. Gillian Oak of the U.S. Embassy also shared information on the student visa application process. After the presentations, students also had the opportunity to view innovative science and technology projects on display from students of Richard Ishmael Secondary and Queens College.
President Barack Obama has said that “Science is more than a school subject, or the periodic table, or the properties of waves. It is an approach to the world, a critical way to understand and explore and engage with the world, and then have the capacity to change that world.”
Through President Obama’s 100,000 Strong in the Americas initiative, innovative new partnerships are being developed with the business sector, higher education sector, and governments from across the hemisphere to dramatically increase opportunities for educational exchange between the United States and the Americas. The U.S. Embassy in Guyana is committed to continue working with potential students to guide them with the admissions, visa, and financial information they need in order to successfully prepare and apply for study in the United States.
During the 2014/15 academic year, the number of international students at colleges and universities in the United States increased by ten percent to a record high of 974,926 students, confirming once again that the United States remains the destination of choice for higher education. India, China and Brazil account for most of the growth in international students on U.S. campuses. According to the Open Doors® report, published annually by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, there are currently 230 Guyanese students are studying in the United States.
Through its American Spot located at the National Library and University of Guyana library, the U.S. Embassy also offer resources year round to assist young people in pursuing university studies in the United States. The American Spot features guide books on selecting a college or university, information on the university application process, scholarship guides, books on how to write strong college application essays, and resources to help students prepare for standardized tests.
