University of Chicago alumna a finalist on “The Apprentice”

	Print-quality photo: Rebecca Jarvis Press citation: “'Apprentice' watching a big deal” St. Paul Pioneer Press Dec. 9, 2005

Will she be hired? University of Chicago alumna Rebecca Jarvis is one step away from becoming Donald Trump’s next “Apprentice.”

Jarvis, 24, is one of two finalists from whom Trump will choose in a live two-hour boardroom finale Thursday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. on NBC. The popular reality show, in its fourth season, attracts more than 12 million viewers an episode and follows 18 entrepreneurs as they vie for a job in New York City as Trump’s next “Apprentice.”

Jarvis, who graduated from the University of Chicago in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Law, Letters & Society, survived 10 rounds of elimination on the road to becoming a finalist. On the way she has helped create an advertising campaign for country singer Shania Twain’s new perfume; discovered musical talent and produced a song; created in-store promotions for Star Wars products; and developed and taught a night school class.

For her final task, Jarvis was assigned to organize an all-star comedy event while her opponent, 34-year-old Rhodes Scholar Randal Pinkett, put together a celebrity softball game. Now they both must wait to see who real estate mogul Trump will choose.

She auditioned for the show because she “wanted to understand and learn from the decision-making process of a world-class leader who’s seen it all,” Jarvis said. “And to apply my background and wits in a one-of-a-kind, high-pressure situation.”

Jarvis was named one of “20 Teens Who Will Change the World” by Teen People magazine in February 2000, and was awarded a Point of Light from President Clinton. She graduated with honors from the University of Chicago and then went on to work as an investment banker in Chicago, where she structured mergers and acquisitions as well as equity and debt transactions. She is currently a financial journalist in Chicago.