Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer

Twenty-one-year-old Sheree Rhoden was awarded the coveted title of Employee of the Year for 2006 at the Gleaner Company Limited. - Andrew Smith/Photography Editor

When Sheree Rhoden joined the Gleaner Company in July 2001, as a summer worker in the information systems department, the wannabe medical doctor did not foresee that her future would lie as a researcher.

Four years later, after being employed permanently by the company as a research assistant, the 21-year-old was once again surprised, when she received the 2006 Employee of the Year award.

"What I wanted to become is far from this profession," she laughed.

Hopes of using a stethoscope and prescribing drugs are now vanished. Helping people in another way, providing desired information as a researcher, is now her passion. Her primary duties include sales and copyright research of published photographs and articles for co-workers and members of the public.

"I like the profession," said Ms. Rhoden. "The fact that you can help someone is just great."

Ms. Rhoden was again accepted as a summer worker in 2002, and, after graduation from St. Catherine High School, she was employed full-time in March 2003.

She feels proud to be working at with 173-year-old company in the information systems department, which boasts an illustrious archive. "There is just a wealth of knowledge in here," she said.

"I get to read books, magazines, journals, everything."

The reserved and soft-spoken Ms. Rhoden has garnered the admiration and trust of her co-workers. She is often labelled as efficient, hard-working and competent, sentiments shared by her manager Mavis Belasse.

Just excellent

"Sheree is just excellent. I think she has a natural ability for research," said Mrs. Belasse.

"She just does her work properly and sees to it that every assignment is completed. I have received numerous commendations from customers, both at the office and outside, about her work," she said.

For these reasons and others, since November 2004, Ms. Rhoden has been named Employee of the Quarter for the department.

"People always say that I am reliable and they tell their friends and their friends will call me," said Ms. Rhoden.

Book acknowledgements

"I realise that if someone comes to me when I am going home, and I tell them that I am leaving they will come back to me in the morning. So I guess it is just how I do my work," she said.

Among the elite's Ms. Rhoden, through the company's library, has done research for, are former Prime Minister Edward Seaga and Member of Parliament Olivia 'Babsy' Grange. Her name has also appeared in several book acknowledgements such as Sound Clash and Black Style.

Ms. Rhoden's aim is to acquire formal training in library information systems, hoping to pursue a degree at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus.