A record 5,000 UT-Arlington students will graduate this weekend. Among them is an international business major from Mesquite, who says his future plans were inspired by his daily commute to campus.
Sareek Hosein expected a lot of Pomp and Circumstance at UT-Arlington’s College Park Center, where this weekend’s graduation ceremonies are taking place. He was caught off guard, however, when he walked into work Friday morning and saw it in his office. His family had snuck in and done some decorating.
“You know, it’s a bit surreal,” said Hosein.
Hosein is the first member of his family to earn a college degree – and he did it while helping his mother launch her own insurance business.
“I was part of everything,” said Hosein. “I thought, you know, this is supplementing my degree and maybe this is where I really belong. Maybe it’s what I’m good at doing.”
He decided to major in international business at UT-Arlington, so he could go to school but still work with his mom in Mesquite. Now that he’s done with school, he plans to work at the office full time.
But that’s not his only plan for the future. Something he saw every day during his drive to campus got him thinking there might be another way to use his degree.
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“What really got to me was driving by the Race Trac and those other gas stations and you have the day laborers,” said Hosein.
He and some of his fellow graduates have discussed starting a non-profit that works with people like day laborers and helps them develop the skills they need to find a permanent job.
“We’ll sit and brainstorm and get some ideas together and hopefully make a difference,” said Hosein. “Leave our legacy.”
He says getting his diploma is an important stepping stone towards that goal. He looks forward to taking the next big step.
