Journey to the Center of the Earth

Entrepreneur, author and co-founder of the non-profit organization Kiva Jessica Jackley recently visited the Poly Upper School to discuss her work. Much of Jackley's lecture was focused on her educational and career path, which was far from simple. While attending college (Bucknell University), she often questioned the intent of those who worked in finance, a field she likened to a "moral slope". After studying business administration at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, however, she soon gained an interest in microfinancing, seeing how it fell in line with her overarching mission of working to help others. Inspired, she went on to find Kiva, an online microfinancing platform through which borrowers and lenders can interact. Ultimately, Jackley's story of the long and complicated process of finding a fulfilling career demonstrates the importance of adaptability and resilience. While her education and resulting career were long centered around h