Over the years, I've wondered what my mission here on earth is. Some people believe that we are put here on earth with a predetermined purpose, but unlike them, I had no idea what mine was.

Recently, and probably as a result of a job redundancy, I was made to reflect on what good attributes I might have.

While in elementary school, I remembered my father the late Rev. Charles Douglas conditioning me to learn a new word every day. I had to read books and had to retell the story whenever he requested. At Berkeley Institute I obtained an Intermediate LCC English Certificate that seemed to make my parents very happy. Then, in my working life I was always asked to draft or peruse documents for my friends and colleagues. My first entrepreneurial effort was to form a business entitled "Letter Writing for You " which sought to help people, the elderly in particular, as well as anyone who did not know how or what to write.

I realised that my entire life I have been working towards becoming a writer.

Now, thanks to Bermuda College, Division of Professional and Career Education (PACE), I have the opportunity to become a Journalist. The workforce demand for journalist in our community has made it essential that this International Certificate Course in Journalism be offered right here in Bermuda.

Becoming a National Certified Journalist; having the ability to work remotely over the Internet, opens up new alternatives for me. Whether it's becoming a news reporter, feature writer, columnist, or to write that novel that I know I have in me. I am hopeful that soon, when you do a Google search for journalist by country, you will find my name RoseAnn C. Tucker on that list.

*Roseann Tucker is enrolled in the Journalism course offered by the Bermuda College. The course, which runs through the Centre for Professional and Career Eduction (PACE), is accredited through the National Council for the Training of Journalists — the body recognised throughout the UK as the leader in training reporters.

Those who enrolled in the first of these courses are learning shorthand, media law, how to write a newspaper story, online journalism, including video production, and the ins-and-outs of Government.

The part-time course, which takes about 10 months to complete, will culminate in a series of exams and an internationally-recognised qualification.

For more information, interested persons can contact Theresa Martin at 236-9000 ext. 4119 or 4117 or e-mail tmartin@college.bm or padmin@college.bm.