Presenting the Junior and Senior Colleagues in Akwa Ibom Media Community

I have carefully observed the trend of things within the Media community in my own state Akwa ibom state. I have watched with admiration and at some point, with utmost dismay, the bearings of those i tag 'junior' and 'senior' colleagues. Truth is, you're never by the sideline, you're, at some point, either a junior and/or senior colleague. That said! Let me attempt, in brief, a presentation of the junior and senior colleagues in Akwa Ibom media community. The 'community' contextually, are the 'scribes' (that's where my interest lies). After reading, examine within, the kind of colleague you are. Lest I forget, the opinions presented here, are entirely mine.

There exist two kinds of 'junior colleagues' in Akwa Ibom media community. The first are those who feel they've arrived already, those who try to measure up with the 'grey hairs'. They are cocky, proud, pompous, very noisy, and have no respect for seniority. At any point, these 'busybody' junior colleagues are not submissive, they are attention seekers, unruly and will never play by the rules. Assign them a simple task and watch them mess up.

The second kind of 'junior colleagues', are those who are willing to learn, those who are willing to be mentored, and those who don't see 'corrections' as 'insults'. They allow themselves to be moulded for excellence and they ask questions about 'what is done, when and how it is done.' They are humble, focused and result oriented.

On the other hand, there are two kinds of 'senior' colleagues. The first are those who feel you'll outshine them, those who block opportunities for their 'junior colleagues'. Usually, they do not correct, neither do they wish to see you grow, all they do, is find fault and talk you down. Rather than encourage and inspire you, these senior colleagues pick on your weaknesses and paint a picture of a 'never do well' junior colleague. They are rude, crude, boastful, self-centered and discriminatory.

The second kind of 'senior colleagues', are those who encourage, advise, inspire, scold with love and criticise their 'junior colleagues' and they do so, constructively. They derive joy seeing their younger comrades grow, they mentor their subordinates, do follow follow-ups and put them in the limelight. They read your articles regularly and advise you on areas you should improve. These brand of senior colleagues are sincerely accommodating, and all they desire, is to see others get better by the day.

Additionally and perhaps, conclusively, the 'first kind' of junior colleagues, are those who need close supervision and immediate attention by those they're serving under. Suggestively, heads of the Industry in the State should organise regular training programmes and set up mentorship platforms, not only to groom them, but change their seemingly parochial mindsets. Believe me, the future of the community in our State, may soon be at stake (if it's not already), if these set of colleagues are not attended to and on time.

For the first kind of senior colleagues, they have gone through several training programmes, coupled with their years of experience and should know the right path to toe. In that case, I solicit divine intervention, for the "change" we need.

Uwakmfon Dan
Dec. 23, 2017...