Joshua E. Edwards is a Human Resource Assistant in the Department of Human Resources, Government of the Virgin Islands. Photo: Provided

Young Professional Joshua E. Edwards has a Degree in Psychology from the University of the Virgin Islands, St Thomas, US Virgin Islands (USVI). Photo: Provided

Joshua is currently employed with the Government of the Virgin Islands in the Department of Human Resources. He is based in the Employee Relations Unit as a Human Resource Assistant.

His responsibilities include assisting the Employee Relations Unit Counselor and Manager. Joshua is also tasked with holding departmental presentations and service wide presentations to help enhance the effectiveness of employees in their posts.

Prior to working with Government, our young professional was employed at Trident Trust as a Corporate Administrator. While at the University of the Virgin Islands in St Thomas, Joshua worked at Institutional Advancement as a student.

Also at University of the Virgin Islands, Joshua held various leadership positions, including as Student Trustee, President of a Christian Group, UVI Senator, and Class President of the Graduation Class of 2015 UVI.

“At my current Job I enjoy doing the presentations and adding value to public officers in order to help empower them,” Joshua shared.

And while his current job involves motivating and empowering others, Joshua was honest to admit that he is not exactly where he desires to be as a professional.

“My desire is to coach, mentor and counsel people of all ages, especially young people. My desire and passion is to be a motivational speaker and an agent of empowerment.”

Joshua sees himself achieving this as a School Counselor. In fact, he is currently pursuing his certification as a Coach, Speaker, Teacher and Trainer from the John Maxwell Team. He will complete that course in a few months and hopes to begin reading for his Master’s Degree in Counselling in the very near future.

A spiritual man

Our young professional is no doubt a man of focus and purpose and attributes those main qualities to his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. “I also desire to be an excellent husband to my wife. My ability to help my mother also keeps me focused.”

Joshua also sees himself, along with his wife, in Ministry together.

“I see myself as a Life Coach, Global Speaker and Leadership Trainer teaching principles that stimulate growth and empowerment in people.”

Schooling

Joshua E. Edwards is a product of the Francis Lettsome Primary School and the then BVI High School, which is now Elmore Stout High School (ESHS).

After high school, Joshua attended H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) where he studied Financial Services, a subject he said he had a certain amount of passion for.

Next for Joshua was the University of the Virgin Islands in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands (USVI) where he studied Psychology with a concentration in Counselling.

Other career goals for Joshua lie in the area of political leadership.

Becoming a full time Minister of the Gospel is also on the list for our very open minded young professional.

Interests/Inspiration

Joshua shared that his interests are in the area of human relations, the arts (music, drama, dance and poetry) and finance. “I love to sing, speak, and motivate people.”

“My inspirations in the BVI are my wife Elvetta Edwards, my mother Prophetess Dorylin Edwards, who is a nurse, and Apostle Curnal P. Fahie, who helped to raise me and mentor me from 12 years of age. I am also inspired by one of my mentors Apostle Gladstone Hazel in St Thomas, he is father like.”

Other persons that have inspired our young professional to be purposeful and focused are John Maxwell and the late preacher Myles Munroe. “I love their leadership spirit. I am also inspired by my good friend Rico Garcia and my other friend Jana Nibbs. They have truly been friends.”

Advice to young people

Young Professional Joshua E. Edwards wants to see young people fulfill their potential by ensuring they are on the right path to success and among the right influence.

“Stop and ask yourself, ‘Am I going in the right direction?’ And if you want to go in the right direction and fulfil your dreams, find the right people that are going where you want to go and learn from them. Stay away from people who are not going anywhere.”

“Last words I would like to say are, one day soon, by the Grace of God, I will run the BVI and if not me my children will and it will be done well.”