Call him a late bloomer and he isn’t even finished yet. Keron Cox overcame modest returns at primary and secondary school to excel at the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies.
A first-class undergraduate degree in accounting was followed by a distinction in his master’s in investment and wealth management.
The 24-year-old tax associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers always knew he had a love for numbers but admitted to being extremely laid-back during his schooldays.
At Erdiston Primary, his life revolved around video gaming, which in his world was way more important than doing well in the common entrance exam.
Keron said though he did moderately well he was upset with his 11-Plus results and to add to his discomfort he preferred to be with his sister who was already at an older secondary school, rather than Princess Margaret where he was assigned.
At the time, he didn’t realise the importance of a solid education. The lover of bodybuilding said it was only when he left Princess Margaret with a few CXCs that the harsh reality set in – he needed to make something of himself.
“I got a job at a supermarket in town as a checkout boy and one day I walked this guy [so far] to a car park and my tip was one dollar; that was the turning point for me,” he said, shaking his head.
At 15, Keron decreed that that particular life was not for him and within a few months he was back in the classroom seeking more CXC passes.
Within two years he was a student of the Barbados Community College (BCC) and well on his new pathway.
“It was awesome getting into BCC but I was unsure about the workload given that I came from Princess Margaret and then there are people with different cultures and personalities operating on different levels but I realised that the stuff they covered in year one I did at school,” he said.
Transitioning for him was easy workwise, however “integration” was harder. He admitted he was insecure about his level of intelligence, keeping up and being even being kicked out.
But he was able to graduate with merit and gradually Keron said it became the norm for him to excel academically.
Sitting around a boardroom table at his office, he presented an image of one who always knew what he was about; suited up in his collar and tie as he engaged the Easy team.
“I applied to the university, Cave Hill campus, and at that point my plan was to get in and get out as soon as possible,” he explained.
What was comforting he said was seeing the familiar faces from BCC days, though the personal doubts about his ability remained.
“In my first semester I was confused [as doubts in myself crept in],” he said. “I had planned to finish in two years and to add to [my confusion] there were intimidating lecturers but what they really saw was the potential that I didn’t see in myself.”
The animation enthusiast said that during his first year of university life he had a host of exemptions and completed his first year in his first semester.
Cox recalled praying a lot during exam time and that, he said, kept him grounded along with getting involved in judo. Because he found it impossible to make it to the gym, judo was a positive alternative.
Keron said the support from his parents was always strong and he was thankful they allowed him to develop at his own pace.
Though not ever wanting to trade his successes in accounting, Keron said that the educational system stole a small part of everyone.
He believes that there is a fear of taking risks, and that though the world considers knowledge as power and office jobs as the best thing, perception is not always reality.
“I have friends who are farmers and they make more money than I do,” he said. “They see you with a nice car and think you’re making money when you’re living in debt; people are always caught up in what they see but that’s not always reality.”
A lover of challenges, Keron said that he plans to become a certified chartered accountant. There is still a lot more to come from this young force.
