High school students joined government ministers and business leaders for a day of practical insights and inspiration as they plotted pathways to their future careers.
A total of 185 students from schools across Cayman attended the CareerMasters FutureFlex 2026 conference at Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman for a full day of speakers, panel discussions, career chats, workshops and networking opportunities. For around 60 students, the event marked the end of a year-long programme teaching them crucial skills and the confidence to succeed in the workplace.
Career skills
Introducing the conference, CareerMasters founder Christina Bodden told graduating students, “you ultimately made your own success story”, through their perseverance, hard work and dedication. Throughout the year, students attended a series of modules dealing with interview techniques, presenting skills, working as part of a team and dealing with pressure, as well as undergoing work experience placements and business projects.
The FutureFlex 2026 event included panel discussions about building career confidence and battling imposter syndrome, how to access internships and make career choices, studying overseas, managing burnout and making career changes.
Taking to the stage at the start of the conference, Education Minister Rolston Anglin recalled the pressures of his own school days and said it was important for students to learn their own coping mechanisms.
“There is no universal way in which human beings cope; we all cope very differently,” he said. “It is important for you to listen to yourself, self-reflect and figure out what is it that each of you need to do to ensure you are maximising your potential whilst enjoying life. Life is very serious and you have got to get prepared for it, that’s true. But the first thing you need to do is learn how to enjoy yourselves; learn how to be happy.”
Anglin said that he relaxed as a teenager by “playing video games and breakdancing” and that he would work on his studies first with those treats to look forward to afterwards.
In a changing world, he said, “while you have to embrace technology, you have to learn to use it ethically and be able to manipulate it to ensure that you are ready for the future. Don’t ever underestimate your power. Don’t ever underestimate what you have inside you and what you are able to bring to the table.”
His cabinet colleague, Minister for Caymanian Employment and Immigration Michael Myles, told the assembled students to write in their notebooks the phrase, “To get something you’ve never had, you’re going to have to do something you’ve never done,” explaining that he had carried the quote with him for over a decade.
“It reminds me every day of what we’re up against,” he said. “Every time I feel like I can’t go on, can’t do anymore and am discouraged, I read this quote.”
Myles added that students shouldn’t be afraid of failure and should learn from it instead, while also making the most of every chance they get.
“We can’t force you to walk through the door, but the one thing that we are going to do is make sure that opportunities are there for you,” Myles said
Governor Jane Owen attended the event to address the students and hand out graduating certificates. She said that young people were much more “streetwise” about future opportunities than she had been at the same age, but that it could still be a confusing area to navigate.
“I do think in Cayman you have a huge amount of support, and actually part of the navigation is knowing how to get access to the support that is available,” she said. “Part of your challenge, students, is just figuring out what is out there, how can you best make use of it and knowing who to talk to to get the best advice.”
September sees the launch of the third full year of the CareerMasters programme, with Bodden promising an “evolution” in programmes offered, including expanding the job preparedness skills sections as well as working on leadership and executive presence.
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