Even before graduation from UHart, Jessica de Atienza, who is part of Barney’s 3+1 accelerate business program, has been hired by Travelers to participate in their Finance Leadership Development Program, beginning June 2021. She made the connection to Travelers through an internship she did over the summer. De Atienza is well-suited for her new position at Travelers because of her experiences at UHart with excellent professors and the receipt of a well-rounded education.
According to de Atienza, “Being in the 3+1 program has changed my life. It pushed me to accomplish things that I could only dream of, and it challenged me to achieve my goals. At 20 years old, I will have finished my courses for my bachelor of science in business administration, started my masters of business administration, and accepted a full-time offer to work at Travelers.”
Jessica worked with Dr. Lofink and Professor Goroshko, who she describes as “amazing” and believes the Barney School of Business faculty are outstanding. “I cannot thank them enough for making me the best young business professional,” says Jessica. She believes their support and encouragement ensured she was prepared for success.
The University of Hartford gave Jessica the tools to understand the insurance industry, recognize the decorum of a corporate setting, and the confidence to adapt to new environments. Additionally, De Atienza says she learned how to speak publicly, draw well-thought-out conclusions, and was able to hone the fundamental skills required for success in insurance.
“My experience was incredible, I am UHart's biggest fan, and I will be forever grateful for all that I have learned, the amazing professors and friends that came into my life, and the opportunities I had,” says de Atienza. She recommends that new students dive into the UHart environment and “get to know your professors, they are your biggest advocates, join clubs and stay involved with campus activities (never forget to make time for fun!).”
Jessica de Atienza, '22UHart helped give me the tools to understand the insurance industry, how to behave in a corporate setting, and they gave me the competence to adapt to new environments.