Former Member of Parliament (MP) and Cabinet Minister for Youth Engagement Ms. Dawn Butler speaks to students at the BVI London Office’s 7th Professional Development Student Seminar at BVI House in London on March 3, 2013. (Photo credit: BVI London Office)

The seminar themed, “How to Sell How You Roll”, was held on March 3 and focussed on helping students improve their communication skills and preparations for job interviews.

Former Member of Parliament (MP) and Cabinet Minister for Youth Engagement Ms. Dawn Butler facilitated the seminar along with UK lawyer Mr. Imran Khan and author Mr. Dean Cunningham.

The team of facilitators shared tips with BVI students on how to succeed on individual, group, panel and telephone interviews. They also discussed with them the various types of organisational cultures they may encounter when they join the workforce and how to adapt to unfamiliar work environments and conditions.

The highlight of the seminar was a mock debate session of the UK Parliament in which the students assumed the roles of Cabinet ministers, backbenchers and members of the Opposition in the House of Commons. The students debated the question: “Are there too many lawyers in the world?”

After the debate, Ms. Butler commended the students, stating, “You performed your roles superbly and were able to clearly communicate your ideas and to make intelligent arguments. These are skills that will serve you well in life and on the job.”

Commenting on the seminar’s success, BVI London Office Director Mr. Kedrick Malone said, “This year’s seminar attracted the largest ever number of students from across the UK. I was delighted to see that they took advantage of the opportunity to improve their preparation for interviews and used their communication skills so effectively in the debate.”

The BVI London Office was established in 2002 and represents the interests of the Virgin Islands in the United Kingdom and Europe. Among other things, the office provides support to Virgin Islanders studying and living in the UK.