ST. PETERSBURG —For Justin Kwitchoff, attending the University of South Florida was about more than just academics — it was about challenging himself socially and finding his place in the finance world.
Justin Kwitchoff
“I wanted to be in warmer weather in a rapidly growing city,” said Kwitchoff, who hails from Virginia. “That was exciting to me to be a part of.”
Kwitchoff found USF to be more affordable than Virginia’s in-state schools and was drawn to the internship opportunities in St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay area. His passion for baseball and statistics influenced his decision to major in finance.
“I’ve always loved baseball and baseball statistics, specifically how they play a role in negotiations and trades at a professional level,” Kwitchoff said. “I value stats the same way I value a player.”
He first joinedUSF's Investment Club to immerse himself in the campus culture and quickly expanded his involvement by joining Phi Chi Theta, a professional business fraternity. Kwitchoff credits Phi Chi Theta not only as a network but as a community that helped him grow professionally.
Kwitchoff's first internship was with Franklin Street where a mentor and USF alumnus guided him into a leadership role on the multifamily investment sales team. “It gave me a better understanding of communication in the workplace and what other sides of finance look like,” he explained. “Ultimately, I wanted to pursue something on the business strategy side.”
His second internship came through his connections in the Investment Club. He joined Star Mountain Capital’s recruitment team for 18 months, an experience that laid the groundwork for his understanding of finance and solidified his interest in transactional finance.
The following summer, Kwitchoff secured a position at ORIX in Dallas, Texas, on their growth capital team, reaffirming his interest in tech investing. From there, he completed his fourth and final internship with Sixth Street on their growth team in New York City, an opportunity he landed through his relationships with Phi Chi Theta and the Investment Club.
“I put all my previous experience and knowledge to use,” he said. “I met people from around the world in my field.”
His experience with Sixth Street paid off — Kwitchoff was offered a full-time position with the company’s growth equity team in Austin, Texas, upon graduation.
“Austin is exciting for me because it’s a growing tech hub, and I really enjoyed it when I visited. The city was very young and energetic,” Kwitchoff said.
As he prepares to graduate this spring, Kwitchoff reflects on the relationships and professional experiences that have shaped him. He credits Phi Chi Theta for much of his success.
“The members of Phi Chi Theta are an incredible group of highly motivated individuals who also know how to balance the college experience,” he said. “Without the fraternity and its members, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”
Kwitchoff hopes to stay involved with USF as an alumnus, particularly in recruitment for the organizations that helped him grow.
“I’ve learned so much about communication, and that has enabled me to be a better leader on campus,” Kwitchoff said. “I’m excited to jump into the world headfirst and continue growing as a leader personally and professionally.”