Dr Charlyne Smith: First black female nuclear engineer delivers inspirational message at alma mater in Jamaica

The motivation has come from nuclear engineer Dr Charlyne Smith, a past student of the 73-year-old secondary institution.

Speaking last week from the Idaho National Laboratory during a virtual orientation for seventh graders Dr Smith said: "I started where you are at St Catherine High and you're probably experiencing a lot of emotions - excitement, nervousness - whatever the case may be. I encourage you to embrace those feelings."

The Marlie Mount Primary graduate revealed to the more than 250 students logged on that she was disappointed when  she passed for St Catherine High because she didn't know nothing about the school prior to.

But the wise words of her mother 'that God has a plan and He placed you exactly where you need to be' inspired her to believe that she can blossom wherever she's planted.

"I found comfort in those words," said Smith, the first black woman to complete a PhD in nuclear engineering at Florida University, an historic feat achieved last month which propelled her into the spotlight.

"And you know what? She was right," she confessed "because it was at 35 St John's Road (St Catherine High School’s address) that I acquired the tools I needed to tackle and overcome a lot of the challenges that were placed before me. So now you have access to those same tools and resources and they're waiting for you to use them."

The 27-year-old got into the field of nuclear engineering as a result of her own childhood experience in Jamaica where access to clean water and cheap electricity remain resource issues for many even to this day.

A major aspect of Dr Smith doctoral work entails a deeper understanding of the microstructural evolution of Uranium-Molybdenum which she believes is a prime candidate that could lead to a reduction in nuclear arms proliferation.

Armed with this sort of knowledge, Dr Smith is imploring the school's newest batch to always think ahead in shaping a better future the world.

"I would like to challenge each of you to think about what matters to you," she said. "Think about how you can be a part of a solution oriented revolution for the next five to 10 years."

"I'm not saying you'll solve all the world’s problem by five o'clock this evening," Dr Smith continued. "No. But what I'm saying is that your experience at St Catherine High will prepare you to do so when you graduate in the next five years."

At the same time she encourages students to participate in extra curricula activities which will assist them to "develop interpersonal social skills which happens to be extremely important in the working world".

"You could be as smart as (Albert) Einstein; but if you can’t confidently navigate and interact in professional and social spaces you really won't get far," Dr Smith, a well-rounded student herself, said.

"So join the choir, join the science club, join the drama club, whatever tickles your fancy and you'll see that the skills you've acquired from being a part of these organizations at schools are going to be just as important as your academic course group.

"Finally, I'm going to leave you with this in the words of my mother: all of you are exactly where you should be. God has placed you all exactly where you need to be. So now it's up to you to be the change you want to see. And if you are not sure what that change is right now it will come… you're job now is to stay focus, do really well and really trust that prayer and work does conquer all."