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This Week We Feature Young Professional Akeem J. Martin
He may still be considered “a little boy” by some but this week’s Young Professional’s advice, deeds and commitment give the impression of someone who has walked this earth for a much longer time.
Akeem J. Martin is a Customer Service Officer at CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank and a future Bank Manager and Psychologist!
The 22-year-old Martin said he had wanted to become a doctor but has accepted that his strengths lie in the customer service industry where he remains without any regrets.
Customers of CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank may very well be familiar with this Young Professional since his main role at the establishment involves assisting customers with their daily transactions, opening accounts, queries, and credit card issues.
Martin has some three years experience at the bank, which he said, has already moulded him to become a better person and to understand the key concepts about customer service. Our Young Professional said he feels at home at CIBC FirstCaribbean but doesn’t intend to lag in one position. “I always feel as though I always want to excel and go above and beyond because if you stay one place for too long you become complacent and you lessen the value of yourself.”
Being ambitious minded and positive, Martin said he hopes to see himself working in the banking sector for a long time, hopefully as a Corporate Manager or even occupying the chair of the Bank Manager.
And Martin has already figured out what might be necessary to accomplish his goals in banking. “As longs as you equip yourself with the necessary knowledge and do all the basics that will propel you to higher heights. It takes time but for every step I make I will try to make the best step in order to get to that next level. I realise that you just don’t get there, people have to see your accomplishments and what you stand for.”
Our Young Professional holds an Associate's Degree in Business Administration from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and is currently reading for a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Management at University of Phoenix. After graduating, Martin intends to pursue studies in Psychology at Florida Atlantic University in Miami. “Although I will be swaying a bit out of banking I love psychology and want to understand more how the mind works. I hope to venture into that arena, hopefully soon.”
This Young Professional also has work experience outside of banking since his first job was at the BVI Marine Management Inc, where he worked as an Office Assistant. “I only did it to get exposure and experience to the working environment. When I felt comfortable enough I left there and went to the BVI Electricity Corporation where I worked as a Cashier for a year before going to FirstCaribbean.”
Martin’s role at the bank is not restricted to the service of Customer Service Officer as he is a member of the Staff Activities Committee where he plays an active role in fostering a stronger relationship between CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank and the VI community. Among the projects he worked on as a member of the Committee were the Adopt A School Programme whereby FirstCaribbean adopted the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School, and adopting the Conservation and Fisheries Department’s Go Green Pledge for the environment. He said the Committee was now getting ready for a Cancer Walk scheduled for this Saturday September 30, 2012.
Our Young Professional also said he, along with other staff, engages in a lot of community cleanups and other activities, which are hardly publicised.
Outside of the bank; however, Martin also tries to continue with community service and share his idea with others in an effort to empower the community. “I do that because I believe whatever knowledge I have should not stay with me or die with me, I should be able to encourage others while also learning from others.”
Martin gives much credit for who he is to his late mother, his dear aunt Claudette Francis-Smith and other close relatives. “It takes a lot sometimes to steer someone in the right direction but the foundation that was laid for me by my family inspired me to become a better person. He remembers clearly also what his aunt used to tell him, “If you can’t do something good don’t do it at all” and this he said is something that is embedded in him.
Being of strong mind, Martin said he never lets anything get the better of him. And Martin has had his experience of trying times and recalled that from 2005 he suddenly lost a number of close family members including his mother, grandmother and grandfather. “Those were some tough times for me but I had to find that something to carry on in the path that I was expected to.”
Our Young Professional said he is not infallible but one must be able to learn from their mistakes and build on it. “What you do today comes again to affect you another time but maybe in a different form. There will be hard moments but it is up to you to find that sunlight in life.”
Another strong advice for youth, Martin said, is to always stay positive and strong even when persons may approach with negative things. “Never let the negativity define you but let whatever is in your heart please you, meaning that if you are not happy about a situation and maybe you are being forced to do something you do not want to do, simply don’t do it because the repercussions could be grave. I was always taught that you can always choose what to do but you cannot choose the consequences.”
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23 Responses to “This Week We Feature Young Professional Akeem J. Martin”
A BIG thank you to you from my workplace.