Why I Will Encourage My Son’s Desire To Become “An Engineer”

By Atty Philip N. Wesseh (PNW)

“CAREER DAY, ”as I said last year June in my layman’s understanding of this phrase, is that it is a time set by schools to provide opportunity for students who are desirous of becoming professionals in certain fields of study in the future. That is, it is a day set by schools where students learn about different careers and locations.

Additionally, it also refers to a day in school where students learn about different careers. In doing so, some schools invite professionals, experts or authorities in various fields to serve as ‘motivational speakers’ to the students.

The Wikipedia, refers to CAREER as an “individual’s metaphorical journey” through learning, work and other aspects of life. There are a number of ways to define career and the term is used in a variety of ways. Sometimes, certain words or phrases, like “CAREER DAY,” are self –explanatory that one does not have to face difficulties in understanding or interpreting such words or phrases.

It is because of the Importance of career day that some school authorities invite professionals from various fields of study to inspiringly lecture or talk to students on a particular area they want to pursue or become in the future.

As stated earlier, it is all intended to prepare students to be aware of the challenges in the future in the profession they wish to venture into. For example, those interested in journalism would have the opportunity to have a veteran journalist to speak to them; likewise in other fields.

Furthermore, on this day, would-be-professionals are clad in the outfits or uniforms of a particular profession that requires such wearing. Some good examples are in the fields of the military, engineering or policing.

It was because of this symbolic display that my son, Arnold N. Wesseh and his cousin, Samuel B. Taylor who are students of the B.W. Harris Episcopal High School in Monrovia, dressed last year as a soldier and engineer respectively. Young Taylor’s grandfather, the late Col. Samuel B. Taylor, Sr., served the Liberian military for years. He also served as Superintendent of Sinoe County during the military regime of Samuel K. Doe. In addition, the late Taylor was amongst Liberian soldiers that fought during the “Congo War in the 60’s.”

Today, I speak of career day and its importance, not last repeat of last year’s article, but to bring to focus my son’s desire to become and engineer in the future. What aspect of engineering he wants to pursue is the puzzle. But for the general good of the country, I would encourage him to pursue the specific area that has to do with ROAD CONSTRUCTION and ROAD MAINTENANCE.

As his father, I would encourage him to pursue this aspect to help his country and government save some funds that are used repeatedly to rehabilitate or reconstruct damaged roads. I would encourage in this because I have observed and continue to observe how government spends money to work on these damaged roads, only to see them again in their previous deplorable conditions.

Some of the existing examples are the intersections of Gurley and Benson Streets; the intersection of S. D. Cooper Road in Paynesville; the road in the nose of the Ministry of Public Works and some areas on Bushrod Island, especially around the LPRC.

The situation is such that some of these areas are becoming impassable, and also leading to unnecessary traffic congestion. This piece is not about “blame-shifting,” but to point out the importance of reducing cost for road maintenance in the country.
For this, since my son wants to become an engineer, I would encourage him in the area of road maintenance. To this, I’m committed.

Today, I am focusing on Monrovia and its environs as this could be a tip of the iceberg.

I Rest My Case.