HE simply can't help himself; Andrew Stephenson has a compulsion to work hard and excel at whatever he does.
It's a character trait he credits for his performance as a process engineer at Caribbean Cement, where he currently has responsibility for cement milling and fuel.
Last year, he was named the company's Employee of the Year and received the General Manager's Award. This year, he has been recognised as one of their top performers.
"I am elated. I am honoured. Oftentimes when you are working you don't think you will be recognised. In fact, I have never sought to be recognised... (However), it is a joy to know that your hard work pays and that your hard work is recognised, even when you are not looking for such recognition," the 32-year-old told Career & Education.
"The thing about it is that regardless of whatever recognition (I receive), I can't help but work hard. I have to work hard at whatever it is I am doing," Stephenson added.
A graduate of the University of the West Indies, Mona, the married father of two holds a bachelor of science degree in pure and applied sciences, and is a past student of Manchester High School.
After leaving university, he taught mathematics, biology, human and social biology and general science at Bishop Gibson High School. This, before securing employment at Caribbean Cement as a process statistician in 2003. In the years that followed, he worked his way through the ranks from being in charge of fuel systems to being in charge of fuels and raw mills to now cement mills and fuel.
"(My current role) involves basically two things -- support and optimisation. In terms of support, I have to offer technical support to the department manager in achieving the department's objectives of maximising plant production of cement in a cost-effective manner. In terms of optimisation, I do process optimisation through data gathering, testing and analysis to both provide a progressive solution to (any problems that may arise) and for continuous improvement," Stephenson, a born-again Christian, said.
It is work that he enjoys and which he finds fulfilling.
"What I find I like about Carib Cement is that it never gets monotonous. Even in plant optimisation, the challenges that we face change daily; and on a daily basis, one has to find creative means of meeting these challenges and seeing how we can reduce cost and gain performance in improvement," Stephenson said.
"What I really enjoy about my job is that it never gets boring; it changes every day. The energy that you have to place in it seems to come live another day. When you get here, sometimes you (can't help but) wonder what new challenges you will face; call it a daily brain exercise," he added.
Meanwhile, Stephenson admitted to counting himself among his company's top performers.
"I would say yes, I do consider myself to be one of the company's top performers and, in fact, I strive to be. Coming to work is not a competition, but one of my drives to is do well and to perform well. One of the greatest things is to implement something and to see cost savings (or some other benefit) come from it," noted Stephenson, who is also an apt guitar and piano player.
His boss Brett Johnson attested to Stephenson's work ethic.
"(He is a) very solid, dedicated worker. He shows all of the attributes that the company looks for in terms of grip, generating respect and integrity, passion and professionalism," said Johnson, who is the manufacturing manager at Caribbean Cement.
"His reliability, dependability (and his ability to) complete tasks on time and properly and (the fact that he) requires very little supervision or guidance (are what have contributed to him being designated one of the company's top performers this year). Also, he has a lot of initiative and is a bright prospect for the future," he added.
— Petre Williams-Raynor