This Week We Feature Young Professional Jermaine T. Baltimore
This week’s Young Professional is by no means a stranger to the creative process and can be considered a talented graphic artist with a deep spiritual grounding in her Christian faith.
Virgin Islands News Online proudly presents Jermaine T. Baltimore, a young lady who embodies a passion for her work as well as for her family and shows a great sense of determination in working towards her goals.
Jermaine attended Althea Scatliffe Primary School before moving on to the then BVI High School followed by the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. Jermaine later attended Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas for a year before transferring to American University in Washington D.C.
While studying Computer Science at TCU, Jermaine realised that she was not pursuing the career that she saw herself following for the rest of her life and later moved on to a programme in Multi-Media Design at American University.
“Within the first year, I realised that [Computer Science] is not what I’m passionate about and after speaking to some family members and advisors… they advised me to do what I’m passionate about,” she said.
Jermaine said she had always done designing previously and it made sense to pursue design after an aunt, who was studying at American University at the time, told her about the programme.
Once she transferred to American University, Jermaine was able to reside with family members while attending college. “I loved the programme I was in,” she disclosed, “once you’re passionate about something I think school would become easy… I hear a lot of people saying that college is hard and stuff like that but I think once you are passionate about whatever you are doing it will come easier to you.”
She spent three years studying Multi-Media Design before graduating in 2007. During her time there, Jermaine learnt the intricacies of audio, video and graphic design. “Design is an avenue where you could be creative, it allows me to combine words, symbols, and images to create a visual representation of ideas and messages,” she said of her love for design.
When she finished college, Jermaine returned home in search of a job in her field. After a couple of months being unemployed, she was able to secure a position at a law firm doing administrative work for some time. Today, Jermaine now works at the Government Information Service (GIS) as a Production Supervisor after starting as a Senior Executive Officer.
She does not focus much on graphic design at GIS though, since she is in charge of the quality control of the video, audio and photography that is produced at GIS.
“I basically ensure that everything that’s leaving GIS, every photo that [the media] receives, every television programme produced is a true reflection of the Government,” she explained.
She was particularly happy about her promotion after the first year and felt that she was appropriately rewarded after proving herself to be a dedicated worker. “I was put in charge of the production studio operations there, then they decided to make me head of the production unit,” the artist revealed.
In 2012, Jermaine was nominated by her colleagues and awarded the esteemed title of Employee of the Third Quarter for outstanding work within the Public Service. She deems this accomplishment as one of the humblest and most gratifying moments in her life.
Our Young Professional also described herself as being very spiritual and stated that she is a proud and active member of the New Life Baptist Church (NLBC).
One of her proudest accomplishments was being able to design the logo for the NLBC Save the Seed Energy Centre. She felt this was the first church affiliated energy/recreation centre and thought that she made history by designing the logo. “I feel very honoured that I was chosen, because initially when they asked me, they wanted it in a rush…” she said.
She had some hesitation after not feeling ‘the creative flow’ initially but was later encouraged to get on board when she was told that her name would go down in history as being the designer for the logo. “I was like, ‘wow, that’s a good feeling’ so I [sat] down and did it,” she added.
What is perhaps remarkable about our Young Professional, is that she dislikes drawing, painting and sketching by hand.
Family and Faith
The proud mother of a two-year old son, Malachi Thomas, Jermaine expressed that he is the heartbeat of her life and the one who inspires her to press on. “I technically do my work when he goes to sleep… if not, I have two wonderful parents that help me out with him.” Jermaine’s parents are also active in church as her father is a deacon and her mother is an evangelist with the NLBC.
“I was practically born in the church,” said Jermaine, “so coming up, I always had the foundation of trusting in God,” she related, “firstly from my parents, the church family, my Bishop… those around me.”
She continued, “my relationship with God is key to my success, because without Him, I have no strength, He gives my all my ideas, he directs my path as the scripture says…” Her favourite biblical verse, she disclosed, is ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’.
She advises youth aspiring to become successful at their careers, to be passionate about whatever they do, “don’t be disgruntled about it, be happy serving others,” she recommended, “once you’re passionate about something, it will come easier for you, you’ll have great success…”
Jermaine also suggested that persons should not concentrate on the money alone… “Once you concentrate on making other persons happy and fulfill your purpose here on earth, you will be rewarded by your clients and ultimately by God”, she reasoned.
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32 Responses to “This Week We Feature Young Professional Jermaine T. Baltimore”
Your pulchritudinous smile, personality and work ethic will always be your forefront as you continue to strive and be successful. Keep up the great work! I miss the crack juice!!!!!!
BVIHS Class of 2000 we the best!
Love you always my niece. MUAH