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This Week We Feature Young Professional Joseph ‘Sef’ Graham

This week we feature a young man with an unquenchable hunger for success. His exceptional work ethic and determination are admirable. He is none other than Mr Joseph Graham aka ‘Sef Graham’. Photo: Provided
'Sef' Graham is a part time fireman at the BVI Fire and Rescue Services Department. Photo: Provided
'Sef' Graham is a part time fireman at the BVI Fire and Rescue Services Department. Photo: Provided
Young Professional Joseph 'Sef' Graham demonstrates to school children how his work as a fireman is done during a career day activity. Photo: Provided
Young Professional Joseph 'Sef' Graham demonstrates to school children how his work as a fireman is done during a career day activity. Photo: Provided
When he is not out putting his life at risk for others as a firefighter, Mr Joseph 'Sef' Graham is a cool and elegant sales person at Mi Amor Jewellers in Road Town. Photo: Provided
When he is not out putting his life at risk for others as a firefighter, Mr Joseph 'Sef' Graham is a cool and elegant sales person at Mi Amor Jewellers in Road Town. Photo: Provided
An allrounder, Joseph 'Sef' Graham also models fashion designs and clothing for various local designers and businesses. Photo: Provided
An allrounder, Joseph 'Sef' Graham also models fashion designs and clothing for various local designers and businesses. Photo: Provided
'Sef' Graham has a love for basketball and boxing and also enjoys spending time in the gym. Photo: Provided
'Sef' Graham has a love for basketball and boxing and also enjoys spending time in the gym. Photo: Provided
Our Young Professional, Joseph 'Sef' Graham, disclosed that his niece and nephew are his most favorite people in the world. Photo: Provided
Our Young Professional, Joseph 'Sef' Graham, disclosed that his niece and nephew are his most favorite people in the world. Photo: Provided
By Cathy O. O. Richards

This week we feature a young man with an unquenchable hunger for success. His exceptional work ethic and determination are admirable. He is none other than Mr Joseph Graham aka ‘Sef Graham’.

The third of five children, Joseph was born in Jamaica but moved to the island of Tortola at age four. "My family wasn't the richest but my mother made sure that my siblings and I never wanted for anything". Joseph reminisced on how independent he had to be as a child, "As early as five years old, I would stay in the kitchen and watch my mother cook, determined to learn while other kids my age were playing pretend. This independence contributed to the crazy work ethic I have today."

His impressive academic journey began at Ivan Dawson Primary School where he was awarded most improved student upon graduation. He then went on to attend the now Elmore Stoutt High school, formerly known as the BVI High School, where he did a concentrated study in Book Keeping. He then ventured off and completed three months of a highly intensive fire training programme at the Texas A&M Engineering Extensive Service.

Trained EMT & Fireman

Joseph then added to his knowledge in Fire and Rescue by pursuing a programme which allowed for him and a few of his colleagues to be certified in Basic EMT in the Virgin Islands. In 2014 he was involved in an advanced level EMT course in the US Virgin Islands and is now a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). He is also presently pursuing studies in the field of Paramedic Certification. It's like he said "For me enough will never be enough".

This purpose driven young man presently works two jobs; one at Mi Amor Jewellers and the other at the Fire & Rescue Services Department. He made mention to his high school days where he juggled both working part time jobs and being a full time student where he cultivated his admirable work ethic.

Joseph went on to say that as a fireman one is constantly confronted with different emergencies with no knowledge of what twists and turns one may come into contact with. "My passion stems from my need to help others and lend my strength to those who are unable to protect themselves." We can clearly see here that this young man has a personal connection to his job.

Local super hero

‘Sef’ even shared his source of motivation towards this field of work, "As a child I really enjoyed watching cartoons with super heroes such as Batman and I admired how these powerful figures never had to be asked to help, they just did because they could and that's part of my motivation." He shared that, "Every time we, as firemen, receive a call we are given the trust of civilians to help and save them and I always respond to any emergency with that trust in mind."

When asked where he sees himself in the next 5-10 years, Joseph responded by saying being more successful than he presently is, which means wiser, wealthier and unstoppable. "I believe in the power of education, so whether you meet me as a certified Fireman with a degree in Business, I plan to propel myself further through any means possible."

Asked if there was another field of work he would choose later in life, Joseph’s response influenced a smile on my face as he said, "Honestly, I wouldn't change anything. I have the best jobs in the world, Salesperson by day and Firefighter by night. I guess you could call me Bruce Wayne."

Passion for music, basketball & boxing

Apart from his super hero like career, our Young Professional is a rather private individual as it relates to the social aspects of his life. He has a passion for music and is currently working on a mini album of which the release date will be revealed soon.

In fact ‘Sef’ had competed in the 5th Top 7@7 Awards show on March 3, 2012 with his single ‘Everytime’ featuring Choeb and had been recognised as one of the standout artistes by the record label representatives who had travelled to the Virgin Islands from Atlanta for the event.

The talented singer is also a fan of basketball and boxing and spends time staying fit in the gym. “I really like basketball and boxing. I’m not a fanatic but I enjoy watching a couple games. I dabble in modeling here and there.”

Speaking of some of his other achievements, Joseph related that he was ‘Top Gun’, which means Top Sales Person at Mi Amor Jewellers for the year 2014. “I also recently won the Caribbean Association of Fire Chief’s (CAFC) Fire fighter’s Challenge held in the Dominican Republic and was attended by several other Caribbean countries.”

Our Young Professional disclosed that his niece and nephew are his most favourite people in the world.

Keep pushing to do more & be more

As is customary, we asked our Young Professional for his advice to the youth, to which he said he would speak to them about life after high school. "After high school many kids can't afford to go to college and instead have to work to provide for themselves and because of this their education takes a back seat. I want to encourage these people to always keep their education as a part of their plan, whether you get certified in a specific field or do online courses, just keep learning and pushing yourself to know more and be more,” Joseph ‘Sef’ Graham advised.

What defines this Young Professional, apart from his desire to be a ‘Good Samaritan’ or ‘super hero’, is certainly his work ethic. As he rightfully said, "Nothing is handed to you and anything worth having is earned."

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