Senior Spotlight: Michael McCarville

Fordham seniors are beginning to realize just how close graduation is. In fact, exactly 101 days remain (not that I'm counting or anything)...but many seniors already know where they will be working come May! I spoke to my good friend Michael McCarville, who has accepted a two-year position with Teach for America, about his post-graduation plans.

Major: English, with a minor in computer science

Hometown: beautiful Casa Grande, AZ

Clubs: Fordham Stand Up

Describe your TFA position.

I will be teaching high school English in a still-to-be-determined low-income high school in, or around, Phoenix, AZ. I will be attending the TFA institute over the summer, along with completing various other certifications required to teach in Arizona. 

Why did you decide to apply for TFA?

I am a product of a low-income high school, and I found my way to New York City via Fordham. I hope, if possible, my story could be some semblance of inspiration for students with similar backgrounds. 

What was the application process like?

Longer than I would have liked or expected. Somewhat of a three-part process: an online interview, a phone interview, and an in-person final interview, which also had a few parts. Overall, it's a process in every sense of the word. Hopefully one that picks the right people.

What excites you most about this opportunity?

Teaching English is exciting. Hopefully I will be able to teach all the texts that interested me in high school and toss the ones that did not.

Do you feel that Fordham has prepared you for TFA?

I would say I am more prepared for life than I once was, but I doubt I am any more prepared to teach high school. I think that's the point of TFA. Maybe I am less afraid of my lack of preparedness to teach because of my experiences at Fordham. Maybe I just know a lot about medieval lit. 

Do you see yourself teaching after your commitment with TFA ends?

Maybe, but maybe not. I have consistently been told "it's the hardest thing you'll ever do," so we'll see how I come out on the other end. After that, I will probably be back in New York City.

What will you miss most about Fordham?

I have never had a bad professor at Fordham. I will miss listening to smart people talk about things they're smart about... and, of course, friends.

Check back in next month for another Senior Spotlight!

Post Grad Plans

As a Senior, many people ask me what my plans are after graduation. That's why we went to school, right? To gain skills and experience to help us land a job? While many Seniors still haven't locked down plans, there is a lucky handful of people who do know what they'll be doing in September. Here's a look at the different way post-grad life will look like for some of my friends:

Elisa DiMauro FCRH'12

Elisa, a fellow blogger, had a life changing experience last summer in Texas while interning with Teach For America. After the summer ended, she realized that Teach For America was a company she could see herself with long-term. When she got back to school, she got right to applying. After going through a rigorous application and interview process, Elisa was offered her choice between positions at two New York City schools. She is perhaps one of the most involved people on campus and is always coming or going to a Residence Hall Association meeting (she's the President), or serving up aces during an intramural volleyball game.

John Donovan GSB '12

John is originally from Westchester, New York and plans on staying in the city after graduation. The Management of Information and Communication Systems major has made the most of his time at Fordham, leading to a job offer with JP Morgan. On campus he is the Vice President for the Association for Information Systems (AIS), a Freshman mentor for GSB students and still has the time for intramural sports. Before landing his position at JP Morgan as a Technology Audit Analyst, John completed internships at Donovan Financial, Amalgamated Life, and Middle Office Solutions where he currently is interning. However, it was position as Vice President of AIS on campus that opened the door to JP Morgan. While organizing an event for JP Morgan for the AIS club, he was able to network and keep in touch with many JP Morgan employees that began to notice his potential. He was invited to participate in a case study where he interviewed through multiple rounds before being asked to officially sign on this past October. He will begin working at the end of the summer.

Eve Rossmere FCRH'12

Eve, a San Jose native, will likely end up in her home state of California. That's not to say she didn't make the most out of her time here in New York. Her unique Urban Studies major coupled with her French and Psychology minor makes her stand out in a pool of job applicants. She's been working at the United Nations Development Group since her sophomore year so her plans after graduation are just as international. Eve is planning on doing some traveling in Asia, after which she will hopefully be completing a two-month long graduate development internship in Nairobi, Kenya.