Published: May 05, 2020

Despite Bleak Economy, These UT Grads Snag Jobs

There have been many challenges for the Class of 2020, but for some landing a job in an economic downturn is proving not to be one of them.

After graduating, Carolyn Raca will be joining her sorority’s national office as a leadership consultant for Sigma Kappa. Photo provided by Raca

Accounting major and economics minor Carolyn Raca will be joining her sorority’s national office as a leadership consultant for Sigma Kappa. She’ll be travelling to college campuses to assist with chapter operations, collegiate management and general support.

“While I’m so excited to see my sorority’s sisterhood on a national level, I will definitely miss the connections I’ve made in my own Sigma Kappa chapter at UT,” said Raca, of Rochester, NY. “As a colonizing member, I was part of the group of women who started Sigma Kappa at UT and will miss watching it grow.”

​Raca is one of the 1,752 degree-seeking candidates who will be honored at the University's 150th commencement, a UT to that will be held on May 9 at 11 a.m. (EST).

Leadership Development 

Another one of those degree-seeking candidates is Caroline Fenstermacher, who will be joining Citibank’s Tampa office as an enterprise, infrastructure, operations and technology analyst, specializing in information security. Fenstermacher, a cybersecurity major, will be in Citibank’s two-year, rotational, leadership development program.

Caroline Fenstermacher landed a job at Citibank’s Tampa office as an enterprise, infrastructure, operations and technology analyst, specializing in information security. Photo provided by Fenstermacher

“My hope is to move into the chief information security office, which is responsible for analyzing cyber threats targeted at Citi, one of the largest financial institutions in the world,” said Fenstermacher, who will also be graduating with minors in management information systems, and criminology and criminal justice. 

Fenstermacher came to UT from a rural part of Pennsylvania in Muncy Valley where her high school graduating class had 40 students.

“I really found myself at UT,” she said. “I found friends for life here, professional opportunities and classes that made me realize what I'm capable of, and an entire way of life I didn't previously know to exist. I almost don't recognize myself before I came here!” 

Spartan Ready

Political science major Carl Andreu will be starting a similar training program as Fenstermacher’s, but his will be with the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, a financial services corporation dealing in post-trade transactions. As a global operations analyst, Andreu will be participating in the Edge program, which rotates recent grads through various departments with the global operations and client service department at its Tampa office. Andreu, who has minors in international studies and Spanish, said he feels ready for the challenge.

Carl Andreu accepted a position with the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation as a global operations analyst. Photo provided by Andreu

“UT has given me so many tools to better myself. Working with the Office of Student Conduct, I was able to recognize what it means to be a Spartan,” said Andreu, who was the student coordinator of assessment and sanction tracking. “From that, I became a better student, a better person and a better citizen.”

Choosing UT was one of the best decisions he said he’s made, and one he’d repeat.

“I would choose UT tenfold because of the opportunity it creates for its students, no matter your background, studies or upbringing,” said Andreu, of Long Island, NY. “With dedication and hard work, you can be anyone you want here. Everyone in the UT community wants you to succeed.”

Passing the Torch

Before 2nd Lt. Matthew Horsky begins a 16-week Officer Basic Course training at Fort Lee, VA, he will work as a full-time Gold Bar Recruiter (GBR) this summer encouraging University of Delaware students to join ROTC.

Before 2nd Lt. Matthew Horsky begins a 16-week Officer Basic Course training at Fort Lee, VA, he will work as a full-time Gold Bar Recruiter (GBR) this summer encouraging University of Delaware students to join ROTC. Photo provided by Horsky

Horsky, of Wilmington, DE, will be graduating with his degree in human performance with a concentration in exercise physiology. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army after earning his associates degree from Valley Forge Military College before transferring to UT. While finishing his degree, the past two years he has served in the Florida Army National Guard as a fire support officer in a field artillery unit.

“UT's Spartan Ready initiative has most definitely set me up for success in my future,” said Horsky. “From communication to organization to self-awareness and teamwork, my time here at The University of Tampa has challenged me to grow into the person I am today.”

International Opportunities

Mallary Weinsz, an advertising and public relations major from Worthington, OH, has been awarded a 2020 Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Award to Malaysia. While overseas, Weinsz, who is a member of UT’s women’s lacrosse team and also volunteered with Kids Lacrosse the World for two summers in Borneo, will represent the U.S. as a cultural ambassador helping to promote youth empowerment through sports.

Mallary Weinsz, who is a member of UT’s women’s lacrosse team, has been awarded a 2020 Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship Award to Malaysia. Photo provided by Weinsz

“During my time in Borneo (with Kids Lacrosse the World), I created connections with the students and the place like none I had ever made before,” said Weinsz. “I saw the impact that was brought on by our short amount of time in Malaysia, and I wanted to create an even bigger impact.”

In addition to teaching English, Weinsz plans to create a lacrosse club at her school to teach teamwork, healthy lifestyles and confidence while also practicing their English. Her program is scheduled to being January 2021.

As a President’s Leadership Fellow and athlete, Weinsz said she was encouraged to be a leader in diverse situations.

“My confidence and leadership has increased greatly during my time at The University of Tampa,” Weinsz said. “My friends, teammates, coaches and professors have always been extremely supportive of my work and endeavors. I can’t imagine a better support system and better relationships with everyone I have crossed paths with at UT.” 

For more details on UT’s virtual commencement, visit ut.edu/Classof2020. For additional details on the Class of 2020, check out UT to Host First-Ever Virtual Commencement on May 9, 11 a.m.