Joel Julien
For the past thirteen years, Joel Julien has written compelling stories on issues related to society, public affairs, politics and business in Trinidad and Tobago. But life, for this self-professed ‘trouble-maker’, wasn’t always smooth. As he looks back on his younger years, he decided to share some of the life-changing moments with MENtions:
I grew up in a strict Pentecostal household where church-going every Sunday was a must.
Although we lived in Trincity, I went to a private primary school in Maraval called Maria Goretti. When I wrote the Common Entrance exam, I passed for my first choice, Fatima College; even though I really wanted to attend Queen’s Royal College.
The first real shock in my life came when I was in Form Three and my parents decided to get divorced. This was a cuff to the gut. When my parents separated, my sporting ambitions were affected since my dad was the one who usually carried me to and from practice and games. Back then, I dreamed of being a professional athlete.
After my parent’s separation, I started to rebel at home and at school. One night after an argument with my mother, I ran away from home.
When I finished Form Five, I decided to do A’ Levels at QRC. After a year there, I got into a car accident, which landed me in the Intensive Care Unit at the Port of Spain General Hospital for two weeks due to a collapsed lung. I was the driver. I recovered and settled down.
Holly Thomas is the reason I am in journalism today.
He owned a radio station and after reading something I had written for him, he hired me to be a part of his news team. Eventually, I moved on to the Express as an intern and was mentored by Joel Nanton.
Thirteen years later and I am still in journalism. It’s a journey that I really enjoy because I get to tell the stories of life in T&T. While everyone may not be a journalist, we all get the chance to write our own life’s story. We can close chapters when necessary and start new ones at any time. Therefore, it’s okay to be uncertain about what you want to do in life. What’s not okay is letting that confusion paralyse you.
Instead, let it propel you forward.
Let it be an opportunity to discover yourself.
Let it be a chance to discover your passions.
However, if after your introspection you still feel lost, don’t consider that the end of your story.
Because once there is life, there is hope.
Keep on writing.
Joel is currently the Deputy Head of News, Business at GML.
