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Alumni Spotlight: Andrea Soto, Rising Star at Raymond James
By Scott Murray
TAMPA (March 9 , 2018) -- Within four years of her enrollment at the University of South 51在线, Andrea Soto landed a position as a marketing strategy analyst with Raymond James Financial. This benchmark achievement 鈥� just a month after she graduated 鈥� comes as no surprise to those who know Soto and her impressive academic track record at the Muma College of Business.
"I probably wouldn't have my role today," she said, "without the Muma College of Business."
During her time at USF, Soto made it a priority to be involved with her campus and local communities. She was an honoree of the prestigious 25 Under 25 Program, a member of the Business Honors Program and the Provost's Scholars Program and a mentor for the Bulls Business Community.
She gave tours to prospective students as a Green and Gold Guide and served as an executive board member of the Business Honors Service Association, where she worked on projects alongside Junior Achievement, St. Jude Children's Hospital and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Even with her extensive involvement in campus and community, Soto's academic performance was enviable; it took her just three years to graduate as a dual major in finance and marketing with a 3.48 grade-point average.
In her new position, Soto is able to incorporate both of her key interests by performing marketing tasks for a financial services company. Specifically, she works on direct and digital marketing for the Raymond James financial advisor recruitment program by developing campaign strategies and improving the automated aspects of the process.
Soto says that her experiences at the Muma College of Business are what prepared her for success in her career and for the responsibilities of the position she now holds.
She was first introduced to Raymond James by a senior department leader, whom she met through a mentorship program at the Muma College of Business. From there, she increased her involvement with the organization by accepting a marketing internship, which led to her securing her current full-time position.
Her story is not an uncommon one, as Raymond James frequently recruits qualified Muma College of Business students who intern there. And there are plenty of opportunities available.
"I might be somewhere with Raymond James, but not in my specific role because I didn't know where I wanted to go with marketing," she said. "My mentorship and organizational involvement through the college helped me to learn what Raymond James was all about and understand business better as a whole."
For students interested in pursuing a career in marketing like Soto's, she suggested attending Raymond James' Marketing Immersion Day on April 20.
"They will get to listen to leaders from different areas of the department and learn what they do," said Soto. "They will also participate in a case study to develop their skills."
The event, located at Raymond James headquarters in St. Petersburg, is open to all students with at least a 3.5 grade-point average and drawn to marketing. Interested students should apply before March 23 by emailing marketingcareers@raymondjames.com with a statement of interest, a current transcript and either an SAT or ACT score.
"This day really gives students the opportunity to get to know different areas of marketing," said Soto, "as well as getting to know Raymond James as a whole."