Jasentha Crawford has been appointed as careers coordinator and head of the Anguilla Careers and Guidance Unit within the Department of Education.
She has taken over from Anita Martin Ruan who ran the unit previously and has now retired, a department press release said on 11 September.
Chief education officer Bren Romney said the position of careers coordinator is a recognition of the importance of bridging education and career.
He explained that while education is preparation for life in general, working lives and how everyone contributes to the economy are key components to human existence.
Crawford, a former student of Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, began her working life as a primary school teacher at Valley Primary School.
Although her time as a classroom teacher was brief, she said that the experience was invaluable, fuelling her commitment to education.
It also shaped her decision to pursue further studies abroad in an area that would support students’ journeys through the education system, the press release said.
Crawford pursued undergraduate studies in psychology at the University of the Virgin Islands before going on to complete a Master’s Degree in School Counselling at Argosy University in Tampa, Florida.
She returned to Anguilla in 2015 and served for seven years as a school counsellor at Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School prior to her current appointment.
The new careers coordinator said that she was excited to bring her skills in counselling and commitment to academic, professional and personal development, to the role.
The Anguilla Careers and Guidance Unit provides a range of services including career guidance, assistance with job applications, resume and cover letter writing, applications for scholarships, college and university.
It also hosts the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School careers fair, a college fair and a job training programme, the press release said.
More information is available from the new unit head at (264) 497-24051 Ext. 4809 or jasentha.crawford@gov.ai
