Newly graduated students in Bermuda College’s Class of 2023 have shared the rewards and challenges of higher education as they left campus with their new degrees.

Da-Juan Place, who lost his father during his studies, graduated with distinction in the Certificate in Electrical Wiring Technology programme, while Isra Sharrieff-Furbert received an outstanding student award for the Certificate in Wood Technology Programme, where she was the lone female student enrolled.

The day was an emotional one for Mr Place, who carries on the legacy of his late father, the electrician David Place.

“This is in his memory,” said Mr Place, holding his degree after the commencement ceremony.

“I started at Bermuda College in August 2018, and my father passed on March 2, 2019, just at the beginning of my education.

“It was very difficult because he was always my rock and my shield. He was an electrician also. I was following in his footsteps.

“Obviously I was grieving. I swayed off the path and it was very hard to find what I wanted to do. I just wanted to be like my dad.”

The five-year programme to qualify was a tough slog, including working in the trade at BAC Universal Electric.

Mr Place, 29, from Pembroke, said excelling at the lengthy programme was the most meaningful feeling he took away from the day.

“Also the great memories I have of my fellow classmates,” he said.

“Three students from my class worked in the same company with me. It was a real brotherhood, with everybody pushing everybody to finish. There were people at the start who didn’t finish it.”

He added: “Now I’m just continuing my work at Universal Electric. I’m on the up in the company. I’m going to keep going and see if I can reach the top.”

Ms Sharrieff-Furbert started her studies in 2020, “right before Covid-19 hit”.

The daughter of Bermuda Industrial Union president Chris Furbert, she said the Wood Technology programme “takes time and patience, for sure”.

The 23-year-old also had to balance her studies with a day job managing a nail salon.

Ms Sharrieff-Furbert, from Warwick, said she brought “a creative twist” to her work, after enjoying design and technology courses at middle school in the Whitney Institute followed by The Berkeley Institute before enrolling at the College.

“I have not seen many women in this field,” she said. “What I really enjoy is furniture making, anything from desks to shelving.

“Right now I hopefully can find a job in the field, and after the next ten years I hope to have my own company.”

Her course at the college, juggled with employment, honed her ability to organise.

“I learnt time management with a 9-to-5 job as well as courses. It was all about finding the balance that made me happy, and succeed at school as well.”