Committed to Jamaica

"I recognize the unstable nature of my country's political environment, and I want to learn how I can help, even if in the slightest way."

Jermaine Jarrett '13, economics and political science

Update: After graduation, Jermaine has a summer internship with Wyndham Worldwide and then will begin work at a proprietary trading firm.

"Growing up in Kingston, Jamaica, I played for Jamaican national teams. My parents recognized that that my talents on and off the field could take me far in life, so they enrolled me at the American boarding school Hotchkiss, in Connecticut, where I would have access to rigorous academics and be seen by college coaches.

"Division I coaches noticed me, and many schools courted me, but I knew Bucknell would be the right place for me. The school really stresses student-athletes, not just athletes. It was really the only place that I felt showed just as much of an interest in my academics as my athletics. I knew that even with my commitment to soccer, I would still have the opportunity to explore my interests.

"I'm a double major in economics and political science. I was bored one summer, so I skimmed through the pages of a finance book. The more I read, the more interested I became. I'm now building on that interest with courses on investments and micro and macroeconomics. And I've paired economics with a political science major because, at some point, I want to return home to Jamaica. I recognize the unstable nature of my country's political environment, and I want to learn how I can help, even if in the slightest way."

Jermaine is from Kingston, Jamaica.