Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

Shelly-Ann Curran, Digicel's new senior sponsorship manager. - Winston Sill / Freelance Photographer

Shelly-Ann Curran was recently appointed senior sponsorship manager of Digicel. She began seven years ago at the call centre as a customer care representative. But, with hard work, in 2003 she was promoted to supervisor in charge of managing Jamaica's customer care front office operations.

In 2006, she was appointed events and promotions executive and began working in other regional territories such as Haiti, Martinique, El Salvador and Bonaire, where she was instrumental in roll-outs for new markets. In 2007, she was promoted to group sponsorship manager.

Before joining Digicel, Curran worked at Air Jamaica as a ground agent. She was young and had just dropped out of Barry University, Florida, and wanted something more fun-filled to do.

"I wanted to do what I wanted to do and finishing school was not a priority for me. I wanted something exciting, and I landed in a nice job at Air Jamaica," said Curran.

Serious business

But the fun could only last for so long. In 2001, she was offered a job at Digicel and it was time for serious business.

"From then, I knew Digicel was going to change my career path."

She noted that, like any job, there are challenges. She said it is a fast-paced, vibrant company and you have to be willing to give 100 per cent of your time. Another challenge is balancing family time (taking care of her two children) and being a corporate woman for 16 hours a day.

"You have to decide what you want to do in life, if you want to excel, you have to give your time and make sacrifices."

Flip side

On the flip side, she said the most rewarding part of her job is that she took the long road to get to her current position.

"I did not finish my first degree and I would not say that was the best decision for me. But, I had to work harder and give more of myself. It was a harder road but I stayed focused."

Curran has an associate degree in political science. She has also undertaken certification courses in the areas of strategic management and negotiations at Harvard Business School.

She told Flair that marketing has always been her passion and she is happy doing it. Currently, she is planning to return to school to complete her first degree. She had planned to do it in Ireland but, with her new position, she is considering doing it at the University of the West Indies.

She said she believes her experience at Digicel has [already] given her a degree in real world.

"I don't know how many people have the chance to do a start-up business. I don't think you can learn that in school, but I have learnt that through Digicel."

The 31-year-old said, with her new role, there is the potential for climbing to the top. She is not saying she has arrived, but some of her hard work is paying off. She said she might be considered the 'bad' one among her two other siblings because she did not do what she was told, but what she wanted. By so doing, she had to take the long road and has been encouraged never to give up.

"I am in high gear now and I am ready to take on more. My goal in life is to be a company director, but some day there will be more goals that I want to achieve."

New position

In her new position as sponsorship manager, she will be heading that segment of the company for Jamaica to see how Digicel can give back to communities in order to benefit the island.

She said Digicel is currently staying away from individual focus through sponsorships. Instead, they are letting communities know that they appreciate their business. She noted that her job is not easy, especially with thousands of people calling for sponsorship. It is a matter of knowing where the business is heading and what you are doing.

"Sometimes people think you have a glamorous job but it is hard work. You have to be committed, and I am."

She told Flair that in her career path, she has to decide whether she wants to be a corporate or family woman.

"You have to strike a balance, which is the hardest task for a woman." This takes sacrificing some things. The future is unknown, but she is blessed and she takes it one day at a time.

Man of her dreams

On the personal side of the equation, two years ago, she met the man of her dreams, got married two months ago, and is now living between Jamaica and Ireland, her husband's homeland.

Her daily routine begins by listening to Mavado's, We Shall Overcome. She said, with good planning, you can balance family life. She notes that she drives her daughter to school every day and provides the best institution for her son, who is disabled.

"I work hard and I know that I want a better life for my children. I make sure that I spend time with my children letting them know that I am around."

"In the long run, I want my daughter to attend college without struggling to pay fees and I want my son to have the best care."

For that reason, it would make her very proud if one day her daughter could say, 'my mother is Shelly-Ann Curran and she has made it.'

Her wish for them is that no matter the obstacles, with hard work and determination, they can make it.

She credits Digicel with her personal development because if they did not open a door for her, she would not have known her capabilities or gained the confidence that she has today. For these reasons, Digicel is assured of her long-term loyalty.

Shelly-Ann Curran - Winston Sill / Freelance Photographer