Sherry Perrier takes on Germany
SHERRY Perrier’s personal mantra of “I am the change!” is not one to be taken lightly.
For several years, the young woman has been steadily making her mark as a change maker through sterling school activism, community service and professional involvement.
And most recently, the final year University of the West Indies business and finance major had the opportunity to further translate that commitment into action when she attended the 17th World Business Dialogue in Cologne, Germany.
Perrier was chosen as one of the 300 student delegates — from 1,400 global applicants — to attend what is the largest student-run business convention on March 13 and 14. Hosted by the University of Cologne, the event featured respected leaders from business, politics and science speaking to and meeting 300 enthusiastic international students. This experience has inspired many aspiring students around the world and shaped their views on economic, social and other relevant topics.
Additionally, the forum gave companies a behind-the-scenes look at what the young generation really thinks and hopes for.
For Perrier, being among this specially selected group of students was a unique opportunity for her to develop optimistic solutions to deal with the demanding subject matter within workshops and panel discussions, and she is now keen on applying principles learnt to be the positive influencing voice she seems destined to be.
“This was an enlightening journey for me,” she said.
“The World Business Dialogue was an awesome cultural and intellectually rewarding experience. It was indeed an honour to represent Jamaica and the University of the West Indies among the 300 international delegates from 65 nations.
“I’ve always dreamed of studying international business in Europe and to explore various countries and cultures while doing so,” said Perrier, who was unable to take up full scholarships to study in the Netherlands and Spain due to the high living costs and additional expenses.
“After submitting my application to attend the World Business Dialogue I did not believe that I really would have been accepted out of 1,400 international applicants. I am extremely grateful and even more motivated after raising the funds and also after attending this dialogue in Germany.”
While she may have doubted her chances of being selected, her impressive resume must have been quite hard to be discounted by the selection panel.
At just 21 years old, Perrier boasts experiences that rival those of a professional’s 20-year career.
Her industriousness is highlighted by roles such as project manager for the Talk Up Yout Secondary School Tour 2013; producer and presenter of the Investment Quiz on the personal financial programme On A Personal Note on CVM TV; a member of the World Bank’s Digital Jam 2.0 Technology Entrepreneurship Committee in 2012; and assistant producer and production assistant for the teen programme Talk Up Yout on TVJ from 2011-2013.
What’s more, the future financier has already made her mark in the world of business and finance, having been the first female to win the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s Young Investors Stock Competition in 2012, as well as numerous awards for scholastic excellence and community service.
It is this remarkable list of achievements — combined with her graceful poise and undeniable confidence — which fuelled several corporate companies including the JPS Foundation, Supreme Ventures and UWI, to finance her trip.
Perrier adds that “attending the 17th World Business Dialogue has not only opened doors to my international career, but also opened my eyes to future global opportunities, new cultures and international perspectives, as I had the opportunity to network with 299 international students and many international business executives”.
