A 40-year-old mother of three children has been awarded Ernst & Young Bermuda?s first annual Ernst & Young Scholarship.

?Jewel Robinson is fully deserving of this scholarship given that she is a mature student, working hard to achieve her goals. She is setting an example for her children and demonstrating the values we look for at Ernst & Young,? senior recruiter Jennifer Redburn said.

A former employee at Butterfield Bank where she worked for 17 years in numerous positions, Mrs. Robinson is seeking a career in management as a Certified Management Accountant.

?Leadership qualities are important to us and she is definitely displaying at this stage in her life,? Mrs Redburn said.

Mrs. Robinson said: ?Winning the scholarship obviously helps financially but it has helped to boost my confidence and lets me know that I can achieve any goals I set.?

Asked why she was selected to be the recipient of the scholarship she responded: ?I don?t know, I guess the interview probably swayed the selection committee more than anything else.

?My application on paper looks like most of the other applicants. In the interview I was able to show my life experience and the achievements thus far in my education.?

Mrs. Robinson is pursuing a bachelors degree in Business Administration with a major in accounting and she plans to return to Bermuda and work for an accounting firm or for one the Island?s financial institutions.

?I knew that I would have to have outstanding grades but I think Ernst & Young are not so concerned about the age of the student but more about your potential and what you have to offer. I don?t think age has much to do with that, it?s your ability and I think that?s what the company was looking for as strengths in their business.?

The scholarship is awarded to Bermudian students pursuing a career in accounting. Recipients are offered full time employment at Ernst & Young.

The scholarship ($12,500 per annum, renewable for a total of two years) provides financial assistance to students towards the completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree in commerce or equivalent.