17 Speakers, BIG IMPACT from One Humanities Event! What Can YOU Do With A Humanities Degree?

    Kingston, Jamaica: Thursday, November 11, 2021. The Faculty of Humanities and Education’s External Affairs Committee at the University of the West Indies, Mona, produced yet another powerful staging of their annual “What Can I Do With My Humanities Degree?” (WCIDWMHD) seminar. Making history as the biggest staging of the production to date, the event featured household names like TikTok star Julie Mango (Juliet Bodley), Miss CVM at Sunrise, Amashika Lorne, corporate mogul Joel Nomdarkham, PR Belle Michelle-Ann Lettman, Tiana Chung from Wonga Gal podcast, the Visual Ninja, Jik-Reuben Pringle, and main speaker, Kadia Francis, founder of Digital Jamaica.

​

 

   Other notable speakers included Adrian Reid, Ashley Hinds, Tamika Coley, Kimberley Marriott-Blake, Stephanie Koathes, Jadeen “Jade” McGhie, Diedre McLeod, Aaron “KABOOM” Spence, Brittany Singh-Williams, and Rhody- Ann Thorpe. With such a great lineup of amazing speakers and over 100 students in attendance virtually on Zoom, the event was destined to be nothing short of spectacular!

​

 

   “It’s a big moment!” These were the words used to describe the highly anticipated event during its promotional run, and it did not fail to meet this expectation. Chairwoman of the HUMED External Affairs Committee and organizer of the event, Shadaia Francis expressed “The event was aimed at equipping the students of the faculty with knowledge on possible career paths with a Humanities degree, what really happens after graduation and how to navigate the real world. This event was designed specifically for the students and we are happy they had an amazing time.”

​

 

    Kadia Francis, the main session speaker at the event, posited that a Humanities degree fosters innovative thinking, “take things that were never made for us and turn them into things that can benefit us”. Kadia added that “it was engraved in our DNA to be innovative and creative in what we do and how we can monetize that and we can benefit from something that at first was meant to break us but has actually made us more profitable.”

​

 

    Humanities degrees are the pillars of the future. Without a doubt, the knowledge imparted gave insight on the importance of the unconventional, especially within the digital age as opportunities continue to grow during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kadia said, “The underlying basis of everything tech is people, hence humanities is a direct placement in the tech field”. WCIDWMHD also gave students the chance to network with professionals in smaller breakout sessions tailored to the eight departments within the faculty. Some students were even blessed with opportunities to work with some of these experienced individuals.

​

 

    The entire production highlighted students’ talents. The event was organized by the faculty Guild EAC, a student-led committee. The graphics and visuals were done by the faculty’s students Alyssa Gardner, Gregory Bryce, and “Nickonation” managed by Nicaro Coke. The hostesses, Isheba “The Energy Queen'' Cornwall and Delisa McLean are also students at the university and some of the giveaways were sponsored by student businesses. This event was a true representation of the expression ‘for the students, by the students. The sponsors included Digicel Jamaica, B’Mindful Candles & More, Gabby Glam, Jhune’s 4B Life, Icy Spirits, Trendsation, J Laced, T-Shirt Doctor, Beads of the Fae, and AMJessentialz.

​

 

    The goal of the staging was to make a positive impact, and help students to navigate the world; passion is the driving force behind that goal. Guest speaker, Brittany Singh Williams charged the attendees, “Set boundaries for yourself, then leverage what you have to excel. Always remember your why - why you’re doing this. Does it spark joy for you? Ask yourself why you are here so that you can be driven by passion every day”.

​

 

     The Faculty of Humanities and Education is working to produce game changers that will elevate society. Stagings such as “What Can I do with my Humanities Degree” is one way in which they are completing this goal and motivating students to go after their own goals with the drive and determination to succeed.

​

​

To learn more about Humanities, follow @uwimona_humedu on Instagram and watch the Faculty’s show on Forza Azul.

​