Traci-Ann Johns a leader and web whiz

Garfene Grandison, Gleaner Writer

Traci-Ann Johns is a 22-year-old entrepreneur, chief executive officer of Websol, a newly formed web-development business, which specialises in website designs and web-application development. She said, "I am pursuing a degree at the University of Technology, Jamaica, a Bsc in computer science and information technology. During high school, I served as the president of the literary and debating club for three consecutive years.

"My experience as a youth leader in Jamaica commenced in 2003 when I was elected as vice-president for the student council at my high school, giving me an opportunity to advocate for the rights of students.

After graduating from high school at 15 years old, I enrolled at Knox Community College, where I did a pre-university course until I was old enough to enter university."

"In March 2006, I applied for and was shortlisted, from more than 80 applicants, for the position of youth ambassador. After a gruelling selection process, I was one of 11 other young persons appointed to the Jamaica Youth Ambassador Programme.

My portfolio was that of a Youth Ambassador-At-Large. I was chosen to represent Jamaica on behalf of the approximately 488,000 youth at the 2006 United Nations' General Assembly in New York as head delegate. There, I presented a statement on 'Social development, including questions relating to the world social situation and to youth'.

"Also in 2006, I was selected as the youth representative on the Government of Jamaica delegation, headed by Maxine Henry-Wilson, minister of education and youth, to the Commonwealth Education Minister's Meeting in Cape Town, South Africa," Johns said.

"In January 2008, my tenure as youth ambassador was extended to two more years and I was appointed as the United Nations Youth Ambassador. In 2009, I attended the UN Expert Group Meeting on the World Program of Action for youth.

Also in 2009, I developed an online-based voting system for the National Secondary Students Council, which enabled students right across the island to vote for their national representatives without having to leave the school."

She is a volunteer at Kingston Youth Information Centre, which is one of a number operated by the National Centre for Youth Development (NCYD) across the island, teaching basic information technology classes to inner-city youth. Traci-Ann Johns said, "In 2008, for Global Youth Service Day, I organised activities within the Richmond Park community where I live. For International Youth Day 2008, we held a symposium at the UWI undercroft, addressing the issue of climate change."

"For 2009, the United Nations' Youth delegates united to lobby for the declaration of 2010 as the International Year of the Youth. Our proposal was accepted by the UN's third committee in December of 2009, that starting August 12, 2010, will be the International Year of the Youth."

How long have you been in this field?

Four years.

Where have you studied?

The University of Technology.

Why this career path?

I often feel that the career chose me, rather than me choosing the career. As far back as I can remember, I have had a love for electronics/technology, always pulling things apart and figuring them out, so I am able to put it back together. My parents enrolled me in computer classes at around grade three and I was always on top of that class, which the instructor thought was amazing, since I never, at the time, had a computer at home. In university, in second year, we did a one-semester course in Internet technology, which I aced, and I loved it so at that point I thought, 'this is it'!

The seal on the decision came from my doing youth work with the National Center for Youth Development, when the NationalSecondary Students Council needed a website, and I guess they saw my potential, as they trusted me with its development. My love for web design grew with that project and I think I am so fortunate to not only find a career I am good at, but one that I truly enjoy.

How was the process when you first started in this career field?

I must say I had no problems starting my career, mostly because of my involvement in youth work during my university period. My greatest achievements, so far, in my young career have been on projects I have worked on out of the organisation, and I have received excellent recommendations from them to prospective clients.

What are you currently doing to further develop your ambitions for your career path?

I always wanted to be an entrepreneur and, today, I am. I started Websol in November of last year and I am currently working on setting the foundation for my company before pursuing further studies. I intend, in the near future, to pursue my postgraduate degrees in the field of information security. Jamaica is positioning itself to grow technologically, and security is going to be a key factor in that growth. In my area of web designs and applications, especially, security is key and my minor in university was computer security. I will be working on integrating information-security strategies into my company.

What do you hope to achieve in 10 years?

In 10 years, I hope to be at the top of my career (one of the top-10 successful IT companies). I hope to complete my masters as well as my PhD. I should be consulting with companies and government agencies on IT-security management. In that time, I hope to make significant contributions to the development of youth in Jamaica, through technology or otherwise.

What drives and inspires your career path?

Aside from my love for the field, I must say I have a strong support team. My parents and those closest to me are always supportive, always there to guide me and, most important always there to tell me 'never give up'. My inspiration also for being successful in my career is a need for me to be in a position to give back to my family for the years they have supported and assisted me.

What do you have to offer as the future of the next generation?

As the future of the next generation, I believe I offer innovation needed to assist in the development of our country. In everything I do, I try to find time to give service to Jamaica, specifically youth development.

Do you consider yourself to be revolutionary, how do you plan to change the game or your field?

Primarily, in my field we find that mainly medium-to-large companies have an Internet presence. My aim is to work with mainly small business to help them gain international recognition. It is my belief that a website is very beneficial to a business, because it gives customers and prospective customers 24/7 access to your business.

Besides access to education, what do you think needs to be done in order to transform youth in Jamaica?

There needs to be a review of the curriculum and how it's being delivered. I strongly believe that there needs to be equality in the education system. The schools in rural and inner-city areas should be receiving the same quality of education as those 'uptown', as the quality of teachers should not differ with the location of the school.

Distinguish yourself from your peers.

At 22, it's considered the prime years of life. It's the time for partying and having nothing but fun for some ... building a career can wait 'til I'm closer to 30. For I've learned that I can't have it all at once. I either want to focus on building my career, or I want to concern myself with being young and enjoying life to the fullest, like most of my peers. The decision I made was that partying, clubbing, all the good stuff, will still be there when I have successfully made a name for myself. Not to say I don't take a break occasionally. I do, but my primary focus is being successful in my field, and so the 'Facebooking', the 'twittering', the partying, clubbing and hanging with friends, it's at a minimum for me.

I also have a strong sense of volunteerism, which a lot of young people don't today. No matter what, I try to make time to volunteer and assist other young people, or assist with programmes/projects that will be beneficial to Jamaica's youth.

Old men rule the world, true or false? Why?

For the time being, the statement is true. I believe the old men create a lot of regulations/requirements that block young people from rising too far. However, times are changing and the ambitions and will of younger generations are growing. Just as we are now seeing a lot of female leaders, which once was unthinkable, the time is coming when the old men will have to retire and make way for the younger, more innovative, people to rule the world.

The traditional ways of ruling and leading have long become obsolete and is starting to fail us. The young minds of this world can make a significant difference once given the opportunity.

What's been the most challenging part of making a name for yourself in your field?

The biggest challenge in making a name for myself is my age. When you start a business so young, you feel like you constantly need to be proving that you have the knowledge and skills to make it. I like a challenge, so I have no problems, yet, proving my capabilities in my field.