Hired Before Graduation “Where Are They Now?”: Robyn McGinnis

July 25, 2025

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater sure feels a lot like home for Robyn (Moe) McGinnis.

McGinnis, who grew up in nearby Elkhorn, cherished the relationships she made at the university leading up to her graduation in 2015 with a B.S. in liberal studies.

“There was a good sense of community through social activities, class and studying,” she said. “It wasn’t a far fetch to reach out and organize study groups or to reach out to a professor — I didn’t feel like a number.”

McGinnis’s experiences at the university led her to her first job as a catering and conference sales manager at The Abbey Resort in Fontana, Wisconsin, and a spot in the university’s Hired Before Graduation campaign.

As a liberal studies major, McGinnis had the opportunity to build her expertise through a course of study built around her interests and career goals, which ultimately led her to securing a position prior to walking across the stage at commencement.

“Liberal studies is a very general major where you can pick what you can focus on,” she said. “I did business first, then biology, and then switched to something general. Speaking about your skills and the things you enjoy and are good at can take you further than just saying you study ‘X’ for ‘X’ amount of years.”

After starting her career in event management, McGinnis switched to project management, working for seven years with Fidelity Information Services (FIS), a financial technology company in Milwaukee. She was hired last July as a technical program manager with Northwestern Mutual.

With a new job, a home, a spouse, and two children, McGinnis is grateful for the opportunity to enjoy a life she never envisioned for herself when she left UW-Whitewater almost 10 years ago.

She encourages students — including those highlighted in present and future Hired Before Graduation campaigns — to build relationships with their classmates and colleagues while being comfortable taking the road less traveled.

“You can pave your own way — you don’t have to follow the status quo,” McGinnis said. “Don’t be afraid to make your mark, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.”