I have a dream …

| 25/10/2013

When you’re a kid, your parents would always tell you that you could be anything you wanted to be. At that age, what you wanted to be when you were older would change all the time – one day it was a police officer; the next a firefighter, doctor or even a soccer player. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I truly knew what it was that I was destined to do and that was to become a Crime Scene Investigator.

Although many people would try to discourage me against pursuing such a “different” career, I wouldn’t let anyone or anything change my mind. Everyone around me wanted to study Business Administration or Accounting or Finance but I knew that I would never be happy if I was to do the same.

In 2009, I was granted a Government scholarship to pursue my Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Science. I was ecstatic as I knew that I was one step closer to reaching my dream. In 2012, I was given the opportunity to complete my internship withthe Scientific Support Branch here in the Cayman Islands and it was truly an invaluable experience which enabled me to further expand my knowledge in the field of forensics.

It has been over a year now since I’ve graduated from University with my Bachelor’s degree and it seems like I am nowhere closer to becoming the Crime Scene Investigator that I so wanted to be for many years now, instead I feel like I am moving further and further away from my dream. I have made numerous attempts to secure a position with the RCIPS Scientific Support Branch but have been unsuccessful. Many people have promised that they would try to assist me in the matter however; I have yet to receive any promising responses.

I know for a fact that this unit currently has 7 employees – 2 of which are Caymanians and 5 which are expatriates. How is it that as a Caymanian who is qualified and willing to do the job, I cannot be given the chance to do so? I know I don’t have years of experience, but we all have to start somewhere. If I can’t be given the opportunity then how will I ever get the experience I need?

I know many people reading this article will think that I am trying to force someone’s hand or get my way, but I am just frustrated to know that I cannot even get the opportunity in my own island to use the knowledge and skills that I have obtained. Nothing brings a bigger smile to my face than when I am talking about “forensics”. There is not anything in this world that would make me happier than to be in this career. My passion and love for it is what has driven me to continue to fight for what I want.

I am not just writing this for myself but for all of those people that know how it feels to put so much effort into achieving a goal to sometimes feel like you have totally wasted your time. Why is it that we are encouraged to pursue degrees by teachers, parents and family members yet many of us cannot find a job when we return home? It makes you wonder if it even makes sense to obtain a degree anymore.

I read the news everyday and it hurts me to see how much crime continues to increase. It has always been my dream to work in the Cayman Islands and I would just love to be given the chance to demonstrate my skills and show that I have what it takes. 

I am one of the few proud Caymanians who can say I have a “unique” degree and I’d hate to see all my hard work and knowledge go down the drain with my dream. 

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  1. Anonymously says:

    Let this foolishness continue…. Then only God himself will be able to stop the outcome.

  2. Anonymous says:

    The bigger question is why did she have to go overseas when we have a collge here in Cayman. 

    • Anon says:

      You are being sarcastic aren't you? At least I really hope so because otherwise that would be a damned fool statement to make!

    • Anonymous says:

      Because they don't teach forensic science at the local university.

  3. anonymous says:

    This reads, along with the rest of the Nationalist euphoria as yet another catalyst towards the Zimbabwe style job grab.

    This will have the same projected result and class as it's African model.

    What is after that? Property? Land? 

    There are no industries here to take, no commodities such as diamonds to "nationalise" so I guess it will be just the jobs, then property and land.

     

    • Anonymously says:

      It is no worst now than the Rodeshia, Ian Smith regime, then that led to the Zimbabwe style government that they have now. Yes Cayman those who have no knowledge of history will repeat the same mistake.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Sorry for your plight Britany. Same old story though, a lot of people seem to be making an issue about her degree and where she got it from and what her GPA was but I personally know people who work for the Government and prviate sector who got degrees from the same and similar Universities in Florida and yet they are managers so unfortunately it has little, if anyhing to do with experience darling, it is who you know and more importantly who knows you. Flip the story and several years ago a young man studied medicine at UWI, came back rearing to jump in and help his Caymanian people, the H.S.A didn't have a job for him, yet this young man had interned at the government hospital, they knew what he was studying, they knew when he would be graduating but yet no job. Was it because he lacked experience? He had to do an internship and it was done in Jamaica, where I am certain he got a lot of exposure and experience. Was it because he graduated from a mediocre University? I don't thnk so, I see a lot of Jamaican doctors working at the hospital who all graduated from UWI. They told him to specialize, he went back to school, came back but alas still no job for him. Today that young man is one of the best doctors Chrissie Tomlinson Hospital has so H.S.A lost the opportunity to hire a qualified, Caymanian doctor. Why? No one was willing to give him a chance.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yep, totally agree and can't understand why government gives scholarships in certain fields and then doesn't provide successful graduates with the opportunity to get their foot in the door within Government or Government affiliated departments. So in essence, they fund someones education but then push people to use their education in another country rather than back home. I am confused…………..

  5. Soldier Crab says:

    A lot of our children are coming out of schools and are unable to obtain employment. I ask the question then what should they do if not given the opportunity? I am not privy to the intricacies regarding this young lady or do I know her, but I do know I lot of my friends children have been trying for months and no luck of finding work. From the financial industry to the tourism industry and same thing as Brittany's complaints.

    I ask what should they do? There are a lot of other things they can do and become but will this make cayman any better or safer? As a society we really need to look at facts and not glamorize the issue that any caymanian with a degree or not does not want to start at the bottom of their chosen field.

    i for one started at the bottom and worked my way up and I trained a lot of expats to complete a job I was capable of doing but I hung in there, further my education and I am where I want to be in life. But don't think for a moment that I was not victimized, mistreated and lied to by my employers just so a family member or a friend they went to school with came over and took a job me or any other caymanian could have completed. However I recognized the world and our economy have changed but  to choose an expat over a caymanian for a job just is not  right and does this country  no justice. When these same kids get on the wrong side of the law I ask every resident, every expat and every caymanian what do you think will happen to paradise? 

    4 murders in 6 weeks and the RCIPS indicated they are not gang related. So that means any of us. Old be next. I will go on the record and say we are really already in trouble! There is an old saying bucket go to the well so many times until the bottom drops out……our leaders not listening, they are not implementing proper measures to ensure caymanians are  protected and yes, parents are not doing what they are supposed to do by being good parents and role models for their children and finally, employers not being fair.  It's only a matter of time before as a country we implode our  younger generation is much different from the passive, friendly and God fairing generation that cayman was built up on. So I encourage our leaders and every person who resides here to work together to protect our little haven and what we have before it gets much worst.

  6. Anonymous says:

    THE IDIOT That is trying to belittle this young lady regardingbwhere her degree was attained is just that an idiot, get your head out of the cloud persons get degrees online these days. The admirable thing for this young lady is that she left the comfort of her home and family to go abroad and study and attained a degree. XXX The thing I love isvthat she had the guts to speak out, she is CAYMANIAN and if she can't get a job in CAYMAN where in the he'll do she get a job this is her Island and some dam foreigner is telling her she can't get a job. I am so angry with this sort of behavior. But I warn this has to STOP STOP STOP.

  7. Anonymous says:

    The real tragedy is that Cayman keeps sending its best to weak schools like UCF or Tampa. 

    • Anonymous says:

      I am sure all the people on work permit have earned their degree at top notch schools, right? I remember years ago my husband was told that his degree from an American University wasn't as much worth as a degree from a British University!!!! They didn't even know which University he went to, it was just a stupid generalization from someone with a huge case of bloated ego …….But that is the stupidnes and generalizations Caymanians are up against. Just like Caymanians are not entitled to a job, but work permit holders feel entitled that their permit must be renewed every few years. What the hell?

      • Anonymous says:

        I hear you! So I guess having a degree from Harvard, Yale, Stanford or Princeton is lower than having one from some no name university in the UK! Unfortunately some people around here have been given the koolaid and brainwashed to believe that anything that comes out of UK nd is good! I have seen nannies in the UK come here and are suddently vice presidents of banks! XXXX

        • Anonymous says:

          Clearly, Harvard, Yale, Stanford or Princeton are outstanding world-class universities, but unlike the the U.S. there is no such thing as a "no-name university" in the UK.  

  8. Anonymous says:

    Di anyone stop to think she went to UCF for financiall reasons? Governement only gives out so much money for scholarships and as the previous comment said, Caymanians don't all go to Ivy League Schools. I think UCF is quite a good school actually…

  9. Anonymous says:

    Third or Fourth tier? Oh, I'm sorry… I didn't know all Caymanian Children went to Howard, MIT And Harvard now a days… Hmmmm, guess you learn something new everyday. I guess going to the magnificent University of Tampa that everyone like to talk (#3000 in academics) would have made her better right? Or a University in Canada or the UK right? Lets see what kind of Bush Degree of Cerification the Ex-Pats are packing and compare why don't we. 🙂 The point Brittney is trying to make is that, there hasn't been no recent posting of any jobs requiring Forensic Science and from what I have seen it hasn't been for a very long time now. But, its obvious RCIPS just renew everyones contract without question if any Caymanians are qualified or can be given the CHANCE TO WORK in their field!!! 

  10. Anonymous says:

    University of Central Florida is ranked 462nd in the US for forensic sciences.  462nd.  Not great.  And the evidence is that the writer barely managed a passing grade from this place. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Brittney dear, ignore these ignorant persons.

      You are an extremely brilliant, and ambitious young Caymanian- stand strong!

      We support you!

       

      To University of Central Florida-

      And where does your degree come from? Go ahead, make it up while we all sit here and wait. Before you make such injudicious comments ensure that you know facts. A degree is an degree, whether it is obtained magna cum laude, or by the skin of your teeth. One does not merely get a BS in Forensic Science handed out to them; unless, of course, you attend one of those mediocre Universitys that so many persons who now secure the majority of the jobs in the Cayman Islands has. Therefore, we as qualified Caymanians, are unfortunately unable to attain these jobs here in the Cayman Islands simply because we do not come with a work permit stamped in our passport.

      Sad to see what our country has come to. It's ashame to see how we have allowed for expats to turn OUR OWN COUNTRY against us while they sit back and laugh.

       

       

      • Anonymous says:

        Since when is a 3.0 GPA "brilliant"?  It is ordinary.

        • Anonymous says:

          A 2.0 is average. A 3.0 is a "B" average.  Not brilliant but definitely not ordinary. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Is that a fact? Where did you get your information and why does it differ so radically from this report? http://education-portal.com/articles/Top_Schools_for_Forensic_Science.html

    • Anonymous says:

      Someone should tell Wikipedia that.   

      XXXXX

      CNS: Can you just supply the link rather than a long cut and paste, please.

  11. Proud Caymanian says:

    I would just like to say. I know Brittney very well; she’s bright and dedicated girl. You can’t begin to imagine the love and passion she has for Science and Forensic Science in particular. You just have to see her face when she talks about it, she can go on for days and days about the things she has learned and seen while studying Forensic Science. Brittney is a very shy and reserved person. I commend her for going out on the limb and taking a leap of faith to pursue her dream. As Brittney has said, this is her dream, that’s so crazy. It almost brings meto tears to know and see what she is going through. I’m glad to see she hasn’t given up hope and has started to make some noise about what’s going on here in the Cayman Islands.

    Brittney went to school on a government scholarship for 3 years University of Central Florida; she might not be the perfect student, but by no means is she and average or poor one either. She had to carry close to or above a 3.0 GPA to retain and graduate from University.

    I’ve paid attention and monitored the RCIPS statistics over the last few months. We see an increase of 44 new police officers between the period of Feb 2011 & Nov 2012. Guess how many were Caymanian? Take a guess. 20? 10? 1? How about None. 🙂 The RCIPS aren’t required to post any Officers post in the papers or on the government website. So they manually hand pick who they want to work under them. RCIPS grew by more than 10 per cent taking their number s to 408 officers. I also noted  noted that there had been a increase in the police service’s forensics budget from 2009 – from $300,000 to a proposed $500,000 in the government’s current budget plan.  As Brittney, said before out of the 7 staff in the Scientific Support Branch 5 are Ex-Pats. I’ am sure they all have qualifications and experience to do an adequate job too for the people of the Cayman Islands. These are some interesting Statistic’s that shout out favouritism and not tough luck. Earlier last week, we seen Mr Bernie Bush and some of the Legislative Assembly voice their concerns of the Polices current performances. Police pulling a pilot over at 3am for a Tail Light? That’s the sort of thing why Police can’t get a tip or people to come forward and give information about the recent crime spike. Of course, the commissioner gives his baseless and bizarre statistics of a 4 year crime cycle for the reason for their incompetence. These statistics speak for themselves and only proves that getting your man (Ex-Pat Police Officers) doesn’t really mean you will get your man.

    I can only say I feel for you Brittney and I’ve seen you go through so much before and one day you will achieve your dreams, because you have so much grit and power inside you, that no one or nothing can hold you back. You will get your chance soon enough and my heart goes out to you. 🙂

    • Anonymous says:

      So a weak degree from a third or fourth tier university.  Things are becoming clearer.

      • Rorschach says:

        At least she has the guts to publish her qualificaitons.. I DARE the expats in the RCIPS SOCO  to publish theirs and let people judge THEIR degrees and quals…

        • Anonymous says:

          You are so angry.  I love it when you get so angry you have to resort to capitals.

          PS She did not publish her qualifications in the initial story.

        • Anonymous says:

          At least she is not a South African with a past record of dishonesty who was able to obtain employment here by deceptive means.

      • Just Another Expat says:

        Where do you get weak degree from?  I read this as a statement that students need to maintain at or better than a 3.0 to stay in UCF, not that THIS student maintained 3.0, but even if she did maintain a 3.0 (which is equivalent to a B average) while that won't get you on the Dean's List that's a perfectly respectable performance. Harvard's average graduating GPA is 3.48, and there are criticisms of Harvard that those GPSs are artificially inflated. 

        Brittney, stick to it – don't ever let go of your dreams, and don't let any of these trolls bother you.  Give 'em hell and never back down.

        • Anon says:

          Most employers won't be interested anywhere with any applicant of any nationality unless they get 2:0 or better.

    • anonymous says:

      I think the recent headlines regarding the CNB and Westtel robberies will disprove your point here massively.

  12. Anonymous says:

    What a load of crap . Where did we go wrong? We as Caymanains were always recruited to jobs where we were not trained. Then thru the weeks or sometimes the months we had enough experience to be confident enough to succeed on the job.

    I'm totally flabbergasted that anyone here writing in this forum would suggest to take a job as a constable?? Why as a constable why not in forensics?? Shehas a degree from a university. How is she going to keep the subject for which she trained for fresh in her mind . How is giving tickets for speeding going to help this graduate. You might as well tell her to work in Burger king ,it is not the same. Get a clue.

    • Rorschach says:

      Actually Constable is just a rank.. you can have Police Constables, Detective Constables, etc…One can be a Constable AND be in a specialist department like Scientific Support, or the CID or the MCTF…so, don't mistake the title of Constable as just a flatfoot…

      • Just Sayin' says:

        Really? I always thought it was a result of cheap razors and lack of attention to detail. 

  13. AnonymousCS says:

    Tired of expats that come here with fake degrees and fake years of experience.  All they do is come, get their foot in the door and then call all their friends back home to come get a job too… they maneuver thru the system like it never existed.   Well it's time for it to stop!!! Cayman should be for Caymanians and if you, as an expat don't get that, then you need to find the first flight back to wherever you came from and do it fast.  Caymanians have had enough!

    • Anonymous says:

      I have known Brittney all her life and the reason for this letter is simply that she WANTS TO PURSUE HER DREAM!  She has a gift that can only be given by God, I dont know many people that WANT to do this work for a living.  Cayman NEED to arise for our people.  Our CHILDREN are returning home EDUCATED, which was an excuse given to us in the 80's and 90's that we the locals needed to be more educated to keep up with our growing and thriving Country.  We as parents encouraged our children to get their education as our home was quickly be sought after by expats who were looking a better OPPORTUNITY for their lives that their country was not able to offer them.  Better salary, better climate, better lifestyle and many have become very wealthy by doing so.   Our Government need to stop being in favour of the expats and put Country first the people of these little islands first.  As a Caymanian who have lived and worked abroad, I knew when my work permit time expired I had to return to my country, why is it that expats living and working here, expect us to change our laws to please them.  I can guarantee that when their time limit is up more will come. I am tired of hearing of our CAYMANIAN QUALIFIED people being given the excuse the you are overqualifed and have no experience.  Please people come together and arise for a better Cayman, the time is NOW!   As Hurricane Ivan clearing saw, when it gets tough its the Caymanians who stayed behindand rebuilt their country, the airlines were very busy flying all the expats off the island.  Really makes you think!!!

    • expat 12,024 says:

      No. I will leave when I am ready, not when you decide.

    • Silver Thatch says:

      How do you make a rope, that's what I want to know.  I'll be needing that to catch me a fish, cause I'm too old to climb a tree for a coconut.  Ya mon, I need to learn to make rope.

  14. Anonymous says:

    take your storey to caymanian employment board or whatever it is called…… if you have been discriminated against there are many routes to take to rectify this…….

  15. Anonymous says:

    From experience, the vast majority people who study to work in both forensic sciences and forensic pathology are ill suited to the job.  The situtation has worsened considerable in the "CSI" TV years.

  16. Brittney says:
    I just want everyone reading this article to know that by NO means am I asking anyone to fire the expats and hire me. I worked with them last summer and got along great with each and every one of them. I learnt a lot and they are all good at what they do (regardless of what some people may think). I am allowed to have an opinion just like everyone else and I just simply wished to share my story as I know many others are in the same position that I am.
     
     
     
     
     
    • Anonymous says:

      So you want someone to come up with them money to give you a job that currently does not exist or does not appear to be needed?

      • Anonymous says:

        The jobs do exist.Every position filled by an expatriate is, as a matter of our law, a vacancy for a qualified Caymanian.

        • Anonymous says:

          Logic was not your stength at school was it?  Since the post says she does not want an expat removed how can you make this point?  Ah yes, because everyone who read the original article read it as a request to have someone sent away to make a job for someone.

          • Anon says:

            No.  Because that's why the Immigration Laws and expats are here in the first place, and why work permit renewals are advertised.  The expat is here till fill a job that cannot be filled by a suitably skilled and qualified Caymanian.  If   a suitably skilled and qualified Caymanian exists it is his/ her right to apply for a job.  If the Caymanian fails to apply for the job because "it's a work permit renewal" (and I know many who do this), then what's the point in having the law and how can they say nobody will employ them? 

        • logical says:

          Think in 3rd world terms, you will always get 3rd world results.

      • Anonymously says:

        Once upon a time when Caymanian politicians were there for the interest of the country and its citizens this would not be a problem one of the five expats would have to go. Maybe Caymanian politicians should ask Bermuda to show them how it can be done.

    • Anonymous says:

      So why bring the nationality of those in the department into the story?  Just for the sake of whipping it up a bit?

      • Who the Cap Fits says:

        so what you.

      • Anonymous says:

        This is the kind of attitude people like you too to the Bahamas and got booted out for. One day very soon if it continues there will come a chosen one who is going to do the same here and the sooner the better.

    • Anonymous says:

      There is a great saying that I think applies here "a smooth sea does not make a skillful sailor" go test yourself in rough waters, come back with experience as well as your piece of paper and then let's see what happens. There is a very good reason why experience is valued over learning something from a book – the next time you choose a doctor, a builder, a lawyer or a teacher just ask yourself what you value more – the person who has passed an exam or the person who was tested and succeeded in the field? Go chase your dream Brittney but make sure when you get it that you have earned it – and believe me their is nothing sweeter then earning things the hard way! 

       

  17. Anonymous says:

    The RCIPS is recruiting police officers. This is your foot in the door: http://www.rcips.ky/portal/page?_pageid=2425,7587154&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL. Instead of moaning (and possibly upsetting your potential / desired employer) about not being accepted into the Scenes of Crime team why don't you apply to be an officer and start at the bottom. A degree means you have a propensity for learning and you have learnt the principles of forensic science. You clearly have very little practical experience. If you were recruited as a sworn police officer then you would have the experience required by the RCIPS and you would be in the perfect position to apply as soon as a vacancy arises. You have to learn your trade just like everyone else has to do the world over, or at least in countries where there is no sense of entitlement. You should consider the short term pain for the long term gain. I'm not sure that your 'why are expats there when I'm qualified?' attitude will go down too well either. I'm fairly sure that if you were recruited then most of your superiors (and many of your peers) at this point would be expats. All of them will have cut their teeth at the bottom rung of the ladder, so why shouldn't you? A Caymanian passport is a travel document and should not be treated as a passport to 'whatever job I want, regardless of whether I have the skills or experience'. Instead of whinging on CNS why don't you submit an application form and then dazzle them in your interview with your desire to become a Scenes of Crime Officer. Just a thought!

    • Anonymous says:

      Impatience is the product of entitlement.

      • Anonymously says:

        Entitlement is the product of having the education and job requirements in your own country and being accepted above all expats if you qualify, this my friend is across the world.

    • Anonymous says:

      What you are speaking of is an Apprenticeship scheme as opposed to a Graduate scheme.

      Isnt it about time that a Graduate scheme is implemented in the Government as a whole, we used to have one?

  18. Anonymous says:

    I read this and I think that "i have a degree in management, why am I not being given the managers job?" Are you a volunteer with the police force? Have you applied for an entry level position? Do you meet the minimum physical requirements?

    There is a recruiting drive right now. Apply for an entry level position. Work hard, stay current in your interests, apply for openings as they appear, cross train, move up the ladder. Your time will come. 

    • Anonymously says:

      A degree in Management is not the same as Forensic Investigations, it is like chalk and cheese. Anyone can be a manager and work from the bottom up but it takes different skill sets to do Forensics, lmao no wonder Cayman is now in such a mess.

  19. Anonymous says:

    They don't want no young Caymanian whippersnapper making them expats look bad.You would make circles around them.  Evidence would be found, crimes would get solved, arrests would be made and hopefully criminals would be sent to jail.   All joking aside, government should really be on the ball here.  She should have been trained to take over from whoever has the job now.  After all, government is sending our young people overseas to school and they are encouraging them to study for unique degrees so therefore a development plan should have been in place for her. As a matter of fact, this should have started on her various breaks from school like summer and Christmas.  My sons started working on their summer breaks so that they could get experience in their chosen field.

  20. Anonymous says:

    TO  LAST SENTENCE IS GOOD

     

    Thank you for your opinion, but I believe you have completely missed the point.

    Brittney's last sentence sums it up; she is a young, ambitious and QUALIFIED Caymanian who is not looking for a hand out or 'buddy pass'! She has simply expressed her frustration at not being given an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY to pursue a career in her own country.

    It is clear from this article that her intentions are GENUINE. Her love for her country has driven her to pursue a challenging degree which she has worked long and hard to obtain. If you take the time to read the local news, you will see that there is an alarming increase in the rate of crime. Is it your opinion that this is not an important issue and that someone with her expertise is not necessary?  

    Brittney will always be extremely grateful to the Cayman Islands Government for providing her with a scholarship to study Forensic Science and to the RCIP for giving her the opportunity to do her internship with their Scientific Support Branch. She is hopeful that one day she will be given the chance to repay this debt by working together with the RCIP in an effort to combat crime in the Cayman Islands.

    How can she, our the many other Caymanians in her situation, be anything other than "those wannabees" (in your words), if they are not given the opportunity to prove themselves????

  21. Anonymous says:

    I am pretty sure that the shallow comments on here are from some of the ungrateful ex pats that unfortunately live amongst us. Brittany I wouldn’t even bother to read the negative comments. How in God’s earth did we become so gullible and naïve to welcome these people into our beautiful Islands and who put them on such a pedestal to be in a position to dictate to us.

    Listen expats, we live here and we are here to stay. Unlike you, we have no where to go and so we are going to stay and fight for what is rightfully ours. How dare you come here make your nest and run our kids out of jobs that they deserve. I say deserve because yes, contrary to many of your twisted beliefs, there are many intelligent Caymanians who have achieved high grades, attended well known univeristies and are well rounded in all aspects on their lives.

    Brittany I will join you on your plight to obtain what you deserve. Many Caymanians that have worked hard on our jobs, achieved the qualifications we desired, taken abuse in the work place because we are Caymanian and still hold our heads high because yes we are Caymanian and we are here to stay like it or not.

    So many countries in the world that they can migrate to and they choose to come to our small islands and take their stake. Unfortunately, they have been allowed to.

    United we stand and we will triumph over all the oppression we are now facing. Some of these underserving expats have been here on Spring Break to long. Time to go, we are taking our Islands back.

  22. Anonymous says:

    But you're not qualified.

     

    The expats presumably have years of experience in their own countries. You have a Caymanian passport, a degree (and not all degrees are equal…) and an internship. You can't possibly expect to have priority over an experienced expat with that level of experience.

     

    Now, you might argue thatthe RCIPS should have some kind of training program for would-be investigators. But with budgets cut to the bone, and extremely low demand for such a program, they can hardly be blamed for not having one.

     

    As a Caymanian, there is a high chance that you have another passport – go to that country, get a couple of years experience, then apply. Otherwise you have no chance.

    • Anonymous says:

      Your comment is complete rubbish. When is something Caymanians do ever going to be good enough? They are told to get educated off Island – she did. They are told to branch out into different industries and not focus on finance and tourism alone – she did.

      Still, every damn job available on this Island requires one to have 5 plus years experience. I guarantee you, if she would go off Island and get the experience, then suddenly the requirement changes again and she may be up against someone who has 10 plus years experience.

      Enough is enough! Our youth is told to get educated in order to compete, but now they can not even get their foot in the door when they come home. I don't think she expectsa high position, just a chance at a job she actually went to school for and to get started with her career……..

      When I came to these Island 10 plus years ago, it was right out of college and I had zero experience in offshore banking – however, back then Caymanians and spouses of Caymanians were given priorities for jobs and the expate who also applied for the job didn't stand a chance as I, the spouse of a Caymanian had applied. But now – there seem to be no entry level positions for professional jobs available ever. This is utter and complete BS! Government should not be handing out work permits if companies are unwillling to train Caymanians. Simple!

  23. Anonymous says:

    The last sentence is a good place to start.  "Unique"?  It reflects a well known mentality in Cayman that training for a very specific job will guaranteed employment.  One typical example is "Johnny is going to be a helicopter pilot".  The view is passport + narrow qualification= guaranteed job.

    But this story misses out some critical information, such as where this lady studied, what grades she has etc, what job is she doing in right now?  The police force are recruiting, so why is she not applying for that?

    This Forum Topic is presumably trying to leverage off the recent stories to try to batter a way into a specific job.  However as she wants to work in a profession that needs patience, teamwork and discretion, this decision indicates a lack of these key qualities.

    The world is full of people with degrees in forensic science who never worked in the field.  A degree is just a piece of paper, it does not mean the person holding that paper is necessaily able to do the job they want to do.  This lady chose to study a job where the wannabees far out number those doing the job as a career.  Did she research that issue before chosing such a "unique" degree?

    • Anonymous says:

      I believe that at the end of each year they have to reapply for those 5 expat positions.

      It is at that time that a position might be available for her unless there is a question about her work experience.

      Other than that police is currently looking for officers. She might take a lower position until that position becomes available.

      You just cant go and fire one of them in the middle of their contract.

      The head of the unit might even consider carrying an extra officer until one of the contracts is up.

    • Anonymous says:

      Thank you for wasting people's time with your uniformed and idiotic opinion.  Your mouth-in-foot disease is curable by not opening your mouth in the future.  Best regards.

      • Anonymous says:

        I noticed this written by a 5  year old response.

        What I discribed is  how the business world works. Then lets see you insult  me  and then have best regards. Wow.

        Some of you really need to stay off a site like this. Your comments in response  to what I said proves your low education level. Thats why I called you a 5 year old.

    • Anon says:

      She went to a school that is know for its Sciences. She received great grades and she is currently NOT in the same field as her degree of study. 

      Yes the RCIP is recruiting but they are recruiting constables not forensic scientists or those to work in that sector, that's a whole different recruitment process.

      • Anonymous says:

        Where is this "school"?  I notice no-omne is rushing to name it.

    • Anonymous says:

      If the degree is no good how did she get one? Surely the university was accredited . Then of course if she was looking for the job you would say shes not qualify . Make up your mind.

      • Anonymous says:

        The Degree must be good. The Government granted her a scholarship. I doubt they grant scholarships for weak schools.

        • Anonymous says:

          I heard the University of Tampa was aiming for the top 600 next year.

          • Anonymous says:

            This young lady's first mistake was not doing her due diligence and "forensic" research in finding the best institutions which offer the degree.  Apparently it was University of Central Florida which is currently rated 462 by Forbes. If that is thecase, it explains a lot. Why does government subsidize students attending inferior institutions? It only gives the students false hope.  New graduates cannot hope to compete with graduates from better recognized universities. Both the UK and Canada, for example, offer forensic degrees from excellent  universities at half the cost.

            • Anonymous says:

              It's worse than you can ever imagine, we have "leaders" at our own higher education college that take trips to exotic places like Africa on the college's dime and support "degree mills".  They are rewarding and providing funding to the favorites in their own faculty with these Education PhDs that are the laughing stock of other institutions. Why? How else can you rationalize giving promotions to non-intellectual friends who need a good job in a supposed intellectual environment? 

            • Anonymously says:

              It does not matter which school you attend it is how you apply yourself that matters, case in point President George W. Bush attended Harvard….. need I say more? Poster 6:38 you are just another ungrateful expat that if it was up to me you would not have to wait for the door to hit the crack.  

    • Anonymous says:

      I suppose though that if the person had been an expatriate you would never stated that the degree is just a piece of paper. I. myself, have been unemployed for several months after my job was made redundant. I have many years of accounting experience and passed my CPA examinations. I have applied to many places and have went for interviews but have not  had any success thus far. Though I do not have  a CPA licence, I have the years of experience and have worked in varied areas of accounting  unlike most expats  here who have probably worked only in auditing for a few years or hedge fund accounting for a few yeas as well (they have no commercial accounting experience) . I note too as well that Caymanian employers are just as guilty of ignoring applications by Caymanians as are foreign owned concerns. They seem to prefer hiring a foreign person of dubious character over a local person of impeccable integrity

    • Rorschach says:

      A degree is just a piece of paper, it does not mean the person holding that paper is necessaily able to do the job they want to do.

       

       Maybe not, but it doesn't seem to stop HR managers from hiring persons from parts unkown who come here and BS their way into jobs by lying about AAAAALL the experience they have…

       

       Brittany, my advice is this…stay as far away from the RCIPS as possible..that place is a soul sucking vacuum…

      • Anon says:

        Not so.  Most of those expats have legitimate references from legitimate employers proving they have the experience and can bring clients with them.

        • Anonymously says:

          Oh yes they come with fake diplomas, certificates, work experiences and references.  Don't get me started on this for example the expat who had a CPA but could not provide his credentials and the Company could not verify it because he did not have one as he was not registered with any of the boards and how about the lady who did have a CPA but her only experience was to collect ticket as a park ranger some where up North yet she was able to come here and get training to do mutual funds and bad mouth Caymanians after she was trained.  How about the accountant that was convicted a few months ago he also had glowing reports.  By God  Caymanians had better open their eyes take their heads out of the sand and get proactive or in two years Caymanians will be beaten down and trodden.  The few that will be left will be somewhere else singing "Beloved isle Cayman",in Northward or Fairbanks like George Spaight in Fiji.

          • Anon says:

            All it takes is a phone call or an email or even a letter to the accrediing institution to establish if the qualifications are real.  If nobody in Government and HR bothers to check qualifications then what do you expect?  You can check mine as much as you like, I assure you they are genuine, only 2 people have this qualification on-island and yet still (through lack of understanding of my qualification) immigration keep giving us problems on renewal.

        • Anonymous says:

          Ha, Ha, Ha like all those  Lawyers who come to Cayman to advise on Cayman Law, yet, they got their training on English Law?

          I have come across PLENTY of expat colleagues who had to be trained by Caymanians how to do their job. I guess when you are hired into management positions it is easy to disguise that in fact your are clueless cause all you do is just delegate everything down to your support staff and in turn find a way to make yourself look good and competent.

          • Anon says:

            So these Caymanian lawyers and support staff who train the English lawyers and do all the work are accustomed to dealing with the same international clientelle and are familiar with all the European Directives and other regulations and reporting requirements affecting Cayman's financial industry, and they can train the English lawyers all about these European directives and bring the English lawyers' clients, fee income and investments into the Cayman Islands'too?  Or is it the other way around?

      • Anonymous says:

        Stay as far away from Rorschach as possible, his bitterness about the police colors much of his libertarian witterings.

        • Rorschach says:

          bitter libertarian witterings about the police aside, you can't deny what I say is true.. experienced Police officers are fleeing the RCIPS in droves..and the ones who are staying are the ones who can't get a job anywhere else that pays them so much to do so little..and the RCIPS doesn't advertise locally for specialist positions..they assume that no one here can do the job..

    • Anonymously says:

      Don't worry the young lady will soon be able to use her qualification at the rate that crime is increasing and the amount of young unemployed people, it only a matter of time before the devil finds work for idle hands. I pray that the government and public sector gives these idle hands some work to do before the devil does.  Word on the street is it that the devil is find idle hands and willing applicants.  

  24. Anonymous says:

    Here we have a story of a qualified Caymanian who is so passionate about getting her feet wet in the profession she is degreed in, and she obtained with the assistance of a Government Scholarship!! So why must this young woman suffer while FIVE EXPATS are in a position that she could be in?? How do we allow this to happen to our people?? Here she is Brittany Parchman, now let's see how long it is going to take before the Govt realizes they PAID FOR HER TO BE PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED?? Or is this another one of those TURN A BLIND EYE when a Caymanian rolls up with a DEGREE?? Hmmmm Give this child a JOB in the Forensics Dept. and now! They have created positions to keep Expats in the GOvt. XXXX, they can create one for Brittany!

  25. Anonymous says:

    Good for you following your dream!

    I commend yourhard work and sincerely hope you are soon provided the opportunity to help with crime scene investigative work here in Cayman. God knows we need all the help we can get with proper crime scene investigations here!

  26. Clouseau says:

    RCIPS has no need for any forensic evidence collectors when they just have to wait for Dennie to arrive on the scene.

    “Hey, is that a shell casing over there?!”

    • Anonymous says:

      At least Dennie can find them – the Royal Caymanian Idiotic Police, not so much….

  27. Knot S Smart says:

    The biggest scam being played on Caymanians is the 'x amount of years of experience required'.

    It appears that you already have some experience so there is no good reason to be treated in this way.

    Maybe Ezzard can look into the hiring practices of this department too?

    No other politician seems to have the backbone to question the systems being used to keep Caymanians down…

    • Anonymous says:

      Look in this weekend's Net News. Cashier positions at a certain bakery. Must have 10 years experience. A very prominent Caymanian is behind this. Why is it being allowed to continue? These are offences under our laws!

  28. Anon says:
    Brittney, as a former classmate of yours I echo your viewpoint completely. I too hold a somewhat 'unique' degree, in terms of it not being one of the main career focuses this Island pushes you to pursue (i.e. business, law, tourism etc…).
     
    Like you, I received a full scholarship and like you, I graduated with great marks. I too am qualified, I too am passionate about my field of study but yet I find myself stuck in an industry with people who do nothing to help me grow, utilise or enhance that passion. Rather, I work with people who seem to want to hold on to what they view is theirs instead of helping the new generation gain the successes and experience they have.
     
    People argue that there are no qualified Caymanians for jobs or that we are not hard workers or willing to do certain tasks but I am not naive. I know there are those Caymanians who feel they are entitled to everything but I am not one of them. I know how good we have it here as opposed to other countries. I know what it means to work hard to strive for goals and I, unlike some others who sit in that chair at the head of table, knows what it takes to start from the bottom with the hopes of making it to the top.
     
    I also know what it's like to be qualified and competent but to have others with less island experience and field knowledge come in and take what you can rightly do. What it feels like to have bosses belittle your competence because one bad apple has spoilt the lot or deem you inferior to your other colleagues because you are a local and a young professional one at that.
     
    They drill this bond to the island into your head when applying for scholarships but yet when you return home they do nothin to help you receive job placement anywhere at all much less within your field.
     
    They are burning out their young professionals and many who can are switching from essential industries because of the lack of support they receive. For those that don't switch they return to school or move off island in the hopes of a better future. And there is no further development to help broaden students horizons beyond the typical financial and tourism industry. What about the sciences? The therapies? Education? The Arts?
     
    Why is our local society based on who you know and who knows you. Why haven't we gotten passed the days of nepotism?
     
    How can we expect our island to continue to grow and develop and thrive if we are not allowing our young professionals to do so?
     
    No one is expecting a hand out, but when we spend our years busting our brains to get a scholarship to get into University to develop a better way of life, it's very disheartening when your own government does not have your back. When they spend all that money and are really not interested in seeing a return.
     
    We just love what we do and nothing would be better than seeing our community benefit from our passion.
    • Anonymous says:

      I feel for you, but honestly, stop whining. No one ever helped me I had to fight my way into any job I could find that was remotely close to the profession I wanted. From there you still had to prove you belonged, and then you had a hope to move toward what you want. I'm still not there but I do have some satisfaction that I have made it to where I am.

      Oh, and it took 18 years to pay off the student loan, scolarships were for the lucky.

      Don't be bitter, be better.

       

       

       

      • Anonymous says:

        We all have to fight and that's the problem. Why is it that we have to fight so hard in our own country but other come and get it so easily?

        You know how many of these expats, especially the highly educated ones, know each other? They network. They look out for their own even in another country. Caymanians don't do that. I'm educated. I am passionate. I am competent and I am smart and willing. What is the probelm?

        Don't belittle me and my successes. Don't belittle my hard work and my passion. I am capable.

    • Anonymous says:

      Dear Expats who feel the Cayman Islands "owes" you employment, spare us the igornant comments. Cayman Airways, US Airways, and British Airways flies daily- return home with your over emphasized resumes and fake degrees.

      … and to former classmate- Excellent piece. Couldn't have said it better myself.

       

       

      Regards,

      Frustrated University Educated Caymanian

      • expat 12,024 says:

        Thanks, however I will leave when I am ready.

        • Anonymous says:

          You will leave when we say you must.   

          • Anonymous says:

            Er … no. I will go when I am ready. That may be before you even have a chance to decide, it may be a long time after.

        • Anonymously says:

          I am positive that you will not leave when you want to, you will go when we tell you to. Please be so kind as to publish your vital stats first and last name and I will buy your one way airline ticket leaving the rock today whether you want to or not.

          • Anonymous says:

            When I am ready to leave, I willmost certainly take up your offer. Thank you.

        • Anonymous says:

          Can we, as Caymanians, go to another country and state that we wil leave when we are ready? Please be grateful to this country for giving you the opportunity to make  a good living, free of horrendous income tax and sales tax as is more than  likely the case in the country you hailed from. I reocgnise there are many good expats who come here and integrate into Caymanian society and contribute but there are many with the despicable attitude as you. Those with such an attitude, we do not appreciate them on our shores,

          • Anonymous says:

            Yes you can. No doubt you have a British Passport and by this extended courtesy, can move to the UK or Europe and move from any of these countries when you are ready.

            You may well have an American Passport as well, by this additional courtesy you can reap the benefits that this extends.

            I do not think you understand the simple economics of indirect or direct taxation, there is no such thing as a free lunch in any country anymore so please do not continue to be deluded.

             

             

            • Anonymous says:

              I possess only a British Overseas  Territory Cayamn Passport, I also recognize that most expatriates come here just for economic reasons and to escape the high tax regimes in the countries they hail from. Please be grateful to be living in an income-tax free environment. If I went to stay in your house you would wish for me to respect your property and take careof it and that is the same way expats shoiuld act towards Caymanians as they are guests in Cayman.  

      • Anonymous says:

        Did you study for that level of Caymankindness or does it come naturally?

      • Anonymous says:

        British Airways doesn't fly daily. Actually!

        • Anonymously says:

          British Airways does fly daily maybe not from GCM but it does from MIA and Cayman Airways most certainly flies daily to MIA.  With this information please do us the favour and buy yourself and your like minded colleagues a one way ticket to any destination off this rock with your condescending attitude.

      • Anonymous says:

        Also West Jet and Air Canada though they may not make daily flights.

  29. Kerry Tibbetts says:

     I am so very pleased with Brittney taking this stand. I am so sorry our qualified Caymanians have to be passed over like this. Brittney, you don't give up, and I know you have fight in you, otherwise you would never have written about your ordeal with finding employment in the field of work you are degreed in. Keep knocking on them doors, and if you need me to grab any bull horns for you, I am here ready to help. Keep strong, and knock them doors down and claim your place in your country my dear. You deserve to be treated with respect and given an opportunity.

  30. Anonymous says:

    SWEETHEART THE REASON

    You haven’t been call is that you might actually help to solve a crime and that you are a young Caymanian who is actually qualify. Try calling Kurt Walton as he seems to be at the helm relating to recruitment. It is a shame and disgrace that young Caymanians get caught in this situation. I would have thought that RCIP would have jump to hire you with that sort of degree. Maybe if you were English you may have got hired or if you played rugby.

    • anonymous says:

      So let me get this straight. If you are not qualified and there are no jobs available you put a call in to Kurt Walton?

      Does he deal with the recruitment for the captive insurance market too?

      • Anonymous says:

        Kurt Walton is on the flyers for the recruitment for the police.  So I assume that's why the OP mentioned him.  I don't think anyone brought up captive insurance market. You're on your own there.  We are dealing with the police department specifically Forensics which is where this young lady want to get a job.

  31. Anonymous says:

    Sorry darling that you live in these times when we don't have a labour minister that really cares. Because if they did care they would do like what the minister of labour in our sister colony of Bermuda said one day on TV and radio . It went something like this ; We are in trying times especially due to the recession and I have come to the conclusion that we have too many dishwashers on the island that are not Bermudians. Please leave by friday , we need those jobs for Bermudians.

    Oh poor Mr. Jim he is probably looking down from heaven. Sad and crying to see what has happened to his people treated like dogs and slaves in his country. The greed and corruption in this country is starting to get so high that not even boots will keep it from touching your skin . 

    The insurance is stealing us , The grocer, all the utilities and now they offering part time jobs as christmas is coming. Now the latest you're not qualified or you're too qualified. I wish they would make up there mind. All I can tell you my dear is to try see Ezzard maybe with Mario they may be able to help you. One foreigner should have been let go. They knew you were coming. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Jim Bodden weeping over the greed and corruption? 

    • Anonymous says:

      " Because if they did care they would do like what the minister of labour in our sister colony of Bermuda said one day on TV and radio . It went something like this ; We are in trying times especially due to the recession and I have come to the conclusion that we have too many dishwashers on the island that are not Bermudians. Please leave by friday , we need those jobs for Bermudians. "

      It the above is true, then Cayman needs to take a page out of Bermuda's book and follow suit quickly. Cayman cannot be for everyone at the expense of Caymanians.

  32. Anonymous says:

    Brittney. I feel for you but did you not know that it is not possible for educated Caymanians to get employment in their area of expertise. Please get a work permit and go somewhere else for experience. By the time you get back all the expats in the unit will have been granted status. Have you considered starting your own business. Please do not try to take any expats jobs!

  33. Anonymous says:

    Thank you for sharing your story with the public Brittney. 

    How can the leadership of the RCIPs let something like this happen?!

    There are many other young Caymanians in a similar position as you. 

    Most large private firms will bend over backward to hire a qualified Caymanian – its usually Government – and smaller businesses – who do not give Caymanians the opportunity. 

    For the Government to spend tens of thousands on your education and then have you sitting around unemployed – terrible resource manangement Cayman Gov / RCIPs!

    I am a qualified Cayman who also was treated similarly by the Government – they spent tens of thousands on my education and then I applied to a job that I was perfectly qualified for – and they hired an expat – who was less qualified and did not have significantly more experience than me.  

    I strongly suspect that Government is one of the worst offenders in this regard!

     

     

     

  34. Anonymous says:

    Instead of paving driveways and untravelled roads and building ostentatious Hurricane Hilton type projects on the Brac, or throwing money year after year at the Turtle Farm, Government should have put aside some funds to allow qualified returning graduates such as this one to have six months' training/experience, paid for by these funds, with a view to fully hiring the graduate in place of an expat following a satisfactory appraisal. Such a scheme would need to be carefully monitored (and we are not good at that) and the question arises (to which I do not have the answer), what do we do if the graduate proves to be inadequate for full employment. 

  35. Anonymous says:

    Try to see if you can join as a constaple and then show up at every crime scene. Actually, just about anywhere you go in Cayman these days is a possible crime scene.