JACQUES REVIEW would like to welcome Ernst Jacques to our interview series. Spotlight is a series featuring in-depth conversations with interviewees of various backgrounds and occupations. It provides a look into the planning and unique personal career journeys of each individual. It even offers small glimpses into their private lives. The finished product hopes to convey that every story matters, is worth hearing, and has a great deal of significance to the mosaic called humanity.
Ernst is my youngest brother. I started the first 6 years of my life not being acquainted with him seeing that he was born here and I was still in Haiti. Eventually, we were brought together and I began the slow process of understanding that someone I just met is my brother. Growing up, we spent countless hours playing game consoles and watching movies.
Ernst has a B.A. in Psychology from York College and an M.A. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology with a Focus on Human Resources Management from Touro University.
In hosting conversations with persons of various backgrounds and educations, I didn’t want to ignore valuable insights that locals can provide. In preparing for this, Ernst wondered about his contribution in relation to the others that I had. Well, they aren’t him and their takeaways from their experiences aren’t his. Furthermore, Spotlight seeks to demonstrate that all voices are worth hearing.
What is left out here is his long tenure as our local tech person dealing with all sorts of issues ranging from wifi, software trouble shooting, to the putting together of all sorts of furniture and product. Interviewing him is significant for my immediate community because they get a glimpse that they wouldn’t have otherwise seen simply because the thought didn’t cross to ask. Today, we are asking a few questions.
You’re the third child amongst 4 siblings. How did it feel to grow up with two older brothers and a younger sister?
It all started out great because there was a time when I was the older brother. My older brothers were still in Haiti, and my sister and I were born in America. What I remember most was dismantling my hot wheels collection because of having to share with my siblings in Haiti. I think I fully understood it, but I remember being told my hot wheels were lost in Haiti. When they came to America, I was instantly demoted to 3rd string sibling. All in All, it was great, we all have different personalities and attack things from different angles. Despite differences, we are close and learned over the years to talk more about things going on in our lives.
What do you miss about your childhood?
I miss running around in my parents’ house backyard. I miss playing video games and beating different levels through a team effort with my brothers. I miss playing football in my church’s gravel parking lot with my friends. I miss how much further money felt like it went as opposed to now. I miss going to the corner stores with my childhood friends and feeling as if we brought the whole store. From buying beef patties with coco bread to splitting Chinese food orders, those were staples in childhood. Also playing basketball all day on Sundays and having no real repercussions physically, or so we thought.
You’re the uncle of two girls and a boy, how does that feel?
The thing about being an uncle is that I see them for a limited time. So, it is always the fun times and when they are fussy, they get to go back to their parents. I will say there was a time I thought I lost my magic because kids always loved and connected with me. When my nieces were born, they really loved my sister, and they kind of tolerated me. After a couple of years, they were more playful with me, and that felt as if I acquired my edge back because looking back, I felt they looked at me as one of the grown-ups and maybe I had the peter pan complex; I did not want to be an adult to them.
Now my nephew is here, breaking the cycle of the girls that were being born. My nieces are growing up fast and my nephew with the new baby smell is a beautiful thing. In addition, I was around my stepdaughter’s 2-year-old child in September 2022 and that helped me look back because she is at the part of being able to understand. When I first met her, I thought I had lost it again but this time around she became my friend. I have never played so much teatime and have not needed to use my imagination in that way in the longest time. While it feels great to give them back when they’re crying, it is even better when I get to spend time.
What do you like to do in your spare time? What are your hobbies?
I enjoy playing basketball, hanging with friends reliving our memories, and trying new restaurants. I also enjoy watching true crime shows, TV Shows, and documentaries.
Why did you choose Psychology? Was it a chance occurrence or was it passion?
I think psychology and I chose each other. Growing up everyone that I crossed paths with also mentioned that I was a great listener and I tend to look deeper into things. I was told that I listened past what someone was saying but also what lay benefit the surface. The whole time I thought I would be a therapist when I grow up or maybe even a psychiatrist. Like many others, I did think one day I would be on a major case to help solve a crime by figuring out the mind of the perpetrator (probably too many crime shows). As I gained experience, I was able to give sound advice or different perspective. My laid-back/reserved personality lends itself to that area of study that was the perfect marriage. In a sense, it may be a chance occurrence because it was the chance to meet certain people that caused the occurrence of me for signing up psychology classes.
What would be a secondary area of interest?
There isn’t a secondary because everything I chose even in my major deals with understanding the personalities in the corporate world and how to motivate.
If you had to give three study tips, what would they be?
I’m not the type to cram the night before a test. The only study tip I can give is to study as you go along. I say that because when the test date comes the night before is more of a refresher as opposed to now learning/retaining information.
Where do you work now? How long? How has the experience been?
I have been working in life Insurance for over 11 years processing death claims. The experience has been eye-opening because I saw the benefits of having life insurance not only for the purposes of burial but also because it provides income to those that are left behind. The other interesting part is the lost connections between family members when I am trying to locate beneficiaries. Sometimes trying to secure the whereabouts of siblings can be tough because they’ve been out of contact for many years.
What are some excuses people give for failing to get life insurance?
A lot of people are discouraged by the cost, thinking that they are too young, or life insurance is a scam. At times, people think at the end of the process that life insurance companies are the big bad machine that will do everything not to pay the benefits.
Do you think social media is being used efficiently to market life insurance? If not, what would you like to see in the digital space?
I do not deal with the digital marketing of our products.
Where would you like to head next in your career?
The next step for me is that I will be in a leadership position. I want to have a seat at the table making more decisions and mentoring others in through their journey toward their own career goals.
Of all the places you have been to, which one was your favorite and why?
St. Maarten/Anguilla was my favorite place to travel to. It was a 6-person group trip and most of us have never been there before. We had a friend who is a native of Anguilla, so on the first leg of the trip, we had local accommodations. They were building up their tourist sections, so it was great to experience the new restaurants that are trying to secure our patronage. The island is beautiful, and very relaxing and you can see the open sky. We found hidden beaches and just floated in the bluest water I have ever seen. We then stayed in St Maarten which was more commercialized but still beautiful as well. We rented ATVs and covered the distance of the whole island. We had the best-bottled water in the world, a little pricey but it was truly amazing. We grilled on the beach at our hotel, all in all, it was a great experience.
Ernst Jacques, pleasure to have you.