My name is Craig Brown, and this is my story of beating the odds and bouncing back.

AT 13 years old my mother’s former boss sent me to work at a supermarket. Fast-forward to 2010 and I got my first job at the company as a courtesy helper, assigned to a cashier to help pack shopping bags. After three months’ probation I was placed as a full-time staff.

In 2012 I wrote to the human resource (HR) officer asking for a transfer to the information technology (IT) department, since I had qualifications in computer repairs, level two. I was told that I needed evidence of my qualifications, and I gave them to HR but got no feedback.

Many times while I was packing bags for customers, if the computers froze the cashiers would call IT. I watched and observed how IT operated.

I was, by now, in the same position for almost three years. I voiced my concern, and I told both supervisors and the manager that I was tired of packing bags, especially when I was diagnosed with a hernia and was not medically cleared lift heavy items. I was put to work to clear baskets and return items in the store, but was still occasionally packing bags.

In 2018, after eight years packing bags, I was finally moved to warehousing, and was happy. I was dealing with price labels, and was happy to be using a computer. I went back to school to upgrade my computer skills at the UWI Open Campus, and I got a distinction in the computer office course.

In 2020 I got laid off for three months due to COVID-19 and I went back to school to do City & Guilds English, and passed it. In 2021 I was named Employee of the Month for my hard work. All this changed in 2022.

I was asked to help a cashier with a printer, as the IT technician wasn’t available at the time. The next morning they said I had damaged the printer, and no one would take my side.

Frustrated, I took this as my cue to give up on IT, and in September 2022 I started a course in early childhood education. I was the only male in a group of 21, and I was voted head boy of the class. In 2023 I did my work experience at Four Campbell’s Academy in St Andrew, and that summer, taught summer class at the same school.

I went back to work and resigned. After 13 years in the company, I didn’t feel appreciated or valued. In September 2023 I got a job at the same school I completed my practicum. I am happy with my new job and there is more opportunity for growth.