B.V.I. Tuesday, February 17 – Students at the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) were dressed to impress in their professional wear as the school opened their third Career Expo yesterday under the theme “Pursuing Purposeful and Profitable Productivity:  Transferable Skills, the road to Survival”.

Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Andrew Fahie told the students at the opening ceremony that their future is waiting for them.  “The Great God of the Universe has already ordained your future, all you have to do is to show up and grab it but you must walk with the right documents which are respect, manners and pride,” he said.

Minister Fahie urged the students to persevere even if they encounter set backs and challenges on their way to achieving their purpose.  “What matters is what you do, how you do it and what you know.  It is up to you to get the future you choose but you will not get there unless you carry certain qualities with you,” he added.

Acting Chief Education Officer Dr. Marcia Potter also urged the students to take the week seriously.  “I really want to encourage you to be serious about this event because this is a very important week in your lives at ESHS,” she said.

She told the students that the professionals making presentations during the week will be there to assist them in making a decision on the way forward.  “I want to encourage all of you to really start taking your work seriously and try to make up your minds as to where you want to go in terms of your career path,” Dr. Potter said.

The Career Expo is being sponsored by the International Finance Centre and the BVI Banking Association. Ms. Alicia Green of the BVI International Finance Centre said the growth of the financial services sector has resulted in the availability of numerous careers and business opportunities both in the private and public sectors.  “The growth of the financial services sector has also resulted in the development of business and private real estate market which offer rental office space and homes,” she said.

Ms. Green told the students, “I can assure you that after this week of events and presentations you will have a better idea of exactly where and how significant your role can complement the growth of the BVI.”

Managing Director at Scotia Bank (BVI) Ltd. Ms. Joyce Murraine told the students that if there is one thing in their career that guarantees success it is ‘attitude’.  “Your attitude determines your altitude so when you leave this high school, you determine your future because you can be anything you want to be,” she said.

Guest speaker Mr. Gregory Adams of Adams Construction advised the students to make significant contributions in whatever job they pursue.  “In any job situation that you find yourselves make sure you bring something meaningful to the table whether in skill or knowledge,” he said.

He told the students not to let how they look or any external forces determine what they are and what they can offer.

Tomorrow students will benefit from presentations on a number of different career paths including agriculture, communication, social development, law enforcement (immigration, policing and customs) and other Government services.

The career expo will culminate on Thursday, February 19 with the Colleges and University Fair, and approximately 20 universities and colleges are expected to participate in this recruitment drive.  The career expo, held annually, is designed to expose the students, particularly the senior students, to the world of work.