Beng & Friends Choose a STEM Career Big Data Engineering

By Lorna Green

Young children today as early as three years old or even younger are considered technology natives. Exposed to its use from an earlier age, they are far more fluent than the average adult and now have new options open to them for future career choices.
Parents and teachers too must become fluent in non- traditional career options if they are to guide our youngsters through the maze of new careers technology has created. As parents and teachers, becoming familiar with the pro and cons of technology will be beneficial as you guide young minds toward the tasks that will be rooted in the technology of the future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wordeee
• Release date: Jun 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781959811220

Book preview

Beng, now fourteen years old and a freshman at Louise Bennett High School, stared at his bedroom ceiling feeling a bit anxious about his situation. He was particularly unnerved by all the subjects he had to take and the number of after school activities he’d signed up for. Feeling unsure of his ability to stay on top of all the work being assigned, he rolled over and sighed. High School is sure different from Junior High.

A few weeks earlier, on his first day of school, his older sister Ashley had warned of the new challenges he would face but he had cockily assured himself and Ashley, It’s gonna be okay.

Luckily, his jitters were abated when he arrived in his new homeroom to see some familiar faces from Junior High. What a relief! There was Simone, Amar, his cousin, Paloma, and Ahmed. Pretty much his running buddies. But to top it off Beng felt himself blush when he saw another familiar face across the room. It was Kami, the girl he’d liked since Junior High. He was disappointed but relieved when she waved, smiled, and quickly walked over to join another group. At least she’d acknowledged him.

A bunch of kids had been standing off to one side looking nervous and fidgeting with their phones. He could only imagine how they felt knowing no one at school and again thanked the heavens his posse was right beside him. It wasn’t long into the semester that things changed as he got to know the new students in his home room. Some even ended up in his study and activities groups, so they became more friendly.

Checking his iPhone, Beng groaned, Oh well I have to do this. Jumping out of bed he began to get ready for school. He stuffed his books in his backpack and looked around for his tablet. Only then did he recall his younger sister Gillian, also called Fidge, had borrowed his tablet. She was, for some reason, always breaking hers and she wouldn’t’ve dared ask Ashley. After reluctantly agreeing she could use it, he’d warned her not to break his tablet. She does this every time, he thought annoyingly.

Beng was convinced Fidge, the youngest sibling, was a bit spoilt because of their mom, dad and all the aunties and uncles doting on her as the last child. While he and his older sister Ashley had to do the more difficult chores, Fidge got away with piddly stuff to do. Artsy and a bit absentminded, most times she would misplace things she’d borrowed and whined when she had to find them. He’d decided he would remedy this once and for all by not lending her any of his stuff when she broke or misplaced hers in the future, but concluded this might be difficult as he was too much of a pushover where Fidge was concerned.

Mentally running through his homework assignments, he was pleased to have finished them all, especially the math project which was a bit of a challenge. He’d worked with Simone and his brainiac friend Ahmed to overcome the difficulties. If only everything had a solution, he said aloud, picking up his phone to check the messages and notifications. There were several messages from students who were working on class projects with him and a few notifications about club meetings. Ah heck, he slapped his head, I forgot the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Club meeting is today. I will have to reschedule my study session with Paloma. Hope she isn’t too mad.

Beng was looking at his phone screen when he heard a new ping. It was a message from Kami reminding him of the upcoming meeting for the Hiking Club. All of a sudden, he began to sweat. Why does she make me so nervous? he asked himself, looking out his bedroom window. Kami had been in most of his classes in Junior High and back then it was okay, so why suddenly since the start of High School, he was feeling nervous when she came around? And don’t let her flash that mischievous smile that made her eyes twinkle; he was done for.

He looked around his room feeling alone with his thoughts. Breezy, his mix Rottweiler Labrador and constant companion seemed to have read his mind. She licked her paws, looking at him with sparkles in her eyes. I must hide my feelings Breezy, he said aloud, kind of hoping Breezy could respond. He was becoming way too jittery when he saw her. So much so that Ahmed had teased him mercilessly only a few days earlier because he’d lost his composure when she stopped by their lockers.

Beng, did you return the signed permission slip for attending the upcoming hike? she’d asked.

He’d stuttered badly when he tried to answer the simple question she had asked.

Man, what’s wrong with you? Ahmed had said when she’d left. She just wanted to get a simple answer, but you sure fumbled, He’d laughed and slapped Beng on his back.

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard Ashley asking their mom a question which was not quite audible.

Oh well, he said aloud, hurrying his packing, Maybe I can beat them to the bathroom.

Fidge, he called louder than normal. I need my tablet.

There was silence. I know she is in her room and ignoring me, he thought. She can be so annoying when she wants to be.

Beng put in his earbuds, deciding to go to her room after he got done in the bathroom.

What is it Beng? Fidge asked from the other end of the passageway. You don’t have to shout.

Unfortunately, he did not hear her as his earbuds were in and he was practicing the latest dance moves, his cousin Amar had shown him.

Andre, who was the designated driver for the kids’ first few weeks of school, was glad he didn’t have to fight over a bathroom as he listened to the kids’ squabble.

Khalilah, do you remember when the kids were young, and we chatted with them about what having a career means? Andre asked.

I do, she replied. Can you believe they are all grown up already? Fidge was the funniest. Remember she wanted to know if she could stay at home with us and sell candy as her career?

Not anymore, Andre chuckled. She is truly our artistic child.

Khalilah put on her robe and was