At Florida Tech, we understand that the ultimate goal of attending college is to secure a rewarding career. That’s why we’re proud to say that many of our students do just that—oftentimes, before they graduate.
Let’s hear from a handful of our most recent graduates who were honored at the fall 2025 commencement ceremony Dec. 13. Their success is a testament to their hard work, dedication and the valuable education they received at Florida Tech.
Jared Green ’25
He graduated with his bachelor’s in construction management and already has his next chapter locked in: Jared accepted a field engineer position with Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.
“To have received a job offer before I even graduated was an amazing feeling. This position relates directly to my degree because I will be working on all aspects of management of a construction project. There have been many Florida Tech experiences that have prepared me for this position. Without the advising and learning from Dr. Albert Bleakley, Dr. Dennis Matula and Dr. Troy Nguyen, I most definitely would not have been able to complete the degree plan. Out of the classroom, I developed major leadership skills from the Ice Hockey Team. The thing that sealed the deal was my exceptional performance in both of my previous internships with the company, which I got through the Career Fair. My ultimate career goal is to own my own construction company after I’ve gained proficient knowledge in the field. Some advice I have for incoming students would be to enjoy every bit of your time at school but don’t procrastinate on your schoolwork. Semesters may seem long, but they are genuinely short and fly by.”
—Jared Green ’25, construction management
Delaney Granko ’25 Psy.D.
She recently earned her doctorate in clinical psychology and is already serving as an active-duty Army captain, continuing down a path she set in motion years ago. Delaney completed her doctoral internship at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu and is now a clinical psychology resident, working toward independent licensure as a future behavioral health fficer.
“As a planner, I had the dream of being a psychologist in the military for a long time. I applied for the Army’s Health Professions Scholarship Program in 2021 and was accepted in 2022. This led to me being commissioned as an officer, so I was expecting this path but continued to accomplish practicum to set me up well for being an officer and psychology trainee. Ultimately, I had this goal for a long time and know that I will be with the Army for the next several years. The psychology courses and opportunities via practicum that the Florida Tech Psy.D. program offers are truly unparalleled. I came into the internship feeling very strong clinically, and this was noticed by my supervisors. The biggest reason I chose the Army is that I truly believe I will never have a dull day—there are endless opportunities and paths one can take as a psychologist in the military. I picked Florida Tech because it has an incredibly strong Psy.D. program. I am always grateful for the decision I made and am appreciative to Florida Tech.”
—Delaney Granko ’25 Psy.D., clinical psychology
Abby Smith ’25
Fresh off earning her degree in aerospace engineering, Abby already has her next chapter lined up. Before even crossing the graduation stage, she had accepted a production test engineer position with Lockheed Martin.
“It feels incredible to have received a job offer. My senior design project, Project Vulcan, has helped me prepare for this position. I was the testing and safety engineer on our team. I wrote all the test procedures and executed them. My previous internship experience as a new product and design engineering summer intern at Harmar Mobility LLC also contributed. I definitely could not have done this without Dr. Irmak and everyone on my senior design team. Dr. Irmak provided us with valuable advice on when to apply for jobs and how to apply for them. This position was originally meant for a level two engineer, but they decided to create a new position to hire me. I think what sealed the deal was how I demonstrated my determination, resilience and ability to work within a team. This position is in the Rotary and Mission Systems department at Lockheed Martin, where I will be working with helicopters. My ultimate career goal is to be a test engineer specializing in aerospace, including aircraft, rockets and spacecraft. That’s why this position is essentially my dream job. Some advice I have for incoming students is to join and participate in as many clubs and events as you can at Florida Tech. There are so many opportunities available, and you will meet many new people, forming lasting friendships.”
—Abby Smith ’25, aerospace engineering
McKaylyn Merritt ’25
McKaylyn recently graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s in marine biology and is ready to begin her new adventure as a veterinary assistant at Island Animal Hospital in Cocoa Beach.
“I am so beyond grateful to receive a job offer before graduation. I didn’t necessarily expect it to happen so quickly, but I feel that Florida Tech set me up for success in the job hunt. Experiences like assisting in lab research projects, educational and volunteering events, and leadership positions on club executive boards set me up for success in this role. But largely, my experience working in the Animal Cognitive Research Center at Brevard Zoo with Dr. Talbot and Dr. Proctor studying Geoffroy’s black-handed spider monkeys and my independent research project studying African lions really prepared me for this position. My role as a veterinary assistant at a domestic veterinary clinic complements my marine biology degree by providing me with practical medical and animal care skills that are directly applicable to my future career aspirations. When looking into Florida Tech, I was immediately intrigued by the Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences programs and was specifically drawn to the school’s emphasis on fostering personal connections through the intimate student-to-faculty ratio and ample undergraduate research opportunities. I could not have done this without Dr. Kelli Hunsucker, Dr. Darby Proctor and Dr. Catherine Talbot. All three of these incredible women supported me with open arms throughout my time at Florida Tech and gave me opportunities to flourish. The professors at Florida Tech are more than willing to support your journey. Some of the best opportunities I’ve had came from sending an email I almost did not write or speaking to someone I felt nervous to approach. Whether it be applying for research projects or positions, internships or leadership roles, taking that initiative is key.”
— McKaylyn Merritt ’25, marine biology
