28770: Clement: (discuss) What advice would you give... (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Cara Clement <caraclement@yahoo.com>


  Recently my husband was asked to be the "paren" (sp?) of a high school 
graduation in Port-au-Prince. As part of his responsibilities, he was to give 
the commencement address to the graduates.

  I attended the ceremony with him, and particularly enjoyed the presentation 
of each of the graduates. Each graduate had written a brief biography which 
included their likes, dislikes, dreams, etc which was read during the 
presentation of their diplomas.

  It was interesting to hear about their dreams - particularly their career 
choices. Some were slightly off color - particularly a handful of young men who 
said they dreamed of becoming gynecologists so that they can "help women with 
their problems". I'm not convinced that their intentions were completely 
honorable...

  In any case, what I found to be particularly interesting was the number who 
said they plan on studying Diplomacy, so that they can work in the future as a 
Diplomat. I'd guess that close to 50% of the students said that was their 
future goal. I'd like to know how many of these students will end up finding 
jobs after they graduate? How many diplomats does the country employ? Whatever 
school out there is giving out diplomas in Diplomacy must be doing quite 
well...

  My main question to the list members is this: If you had to give advice to a 
Haitian high school student, what would you encourage them to study? Let's put 
aside dreams and aspirations for a moment, and concentrate instead on what is 
practical. What subjects can young Haitian students study which will actually 
translate into a job in the years to come?

  Or am I completely off base, and the country is going to have a need for 
hundreds (or potentially thousands) of diplomats in the years to come?

  Thoughts?

  Cara Clement


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