Meet Alum Kathleen Corrigan ’12, Manager, Portfolio Construction at Financial Architects Partners
Name: Kathleen Corrigan
Class Year: 2012
Title: Manager, Portfolio Construction
In one sentence, what does your job entail?
Designing large life insurance portfolios for ultra affluent families
What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?
I was first exposed to the finance industry through the Holy Cross summer internship program. After my junior year, I completed an internship at an investment banking firm in New York and loved the experience of working in a fast-paced environment with a steep learning curve. My internship experience affirmed my decision to start my professional career in financial services, though I delayed my starting point by 1 year so that I could volunteer with JVC after graduation.
When I started looking for full time jobs, I tried to find opportunities by leveraging the career center, family, and friends. Since I was planning to move up to Boston, I also decided to enlist the help of a staffing firm, which proved to be a really helpful resource in my search and connected me to my first (and current) employer. It was through the interview process that I could tell the role and company would be a good fit. The people who interviewed me were really smart and asked tough questions, but the whole process was very conversational and I felt comfortable being myself. That feeling has continued to this day and there has been significant opportunity for growth along the way.
What were you involved in when you were on campus?
Purple Key Society, Spring Break Immersion Program
What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?
I was an economics major and enjoyed how the coursework emphasized both quantitative and analytical skills. I wanted to start my career in an area where I could utilize these skills, while also learning how businesses operate, so financial services seemed like a good fit.
What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?
Written and oral communication skills. As an analyst, I was always comfortable with numbers, but the ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple, easy-to-understand way is so important and can set you apart from your peers. Whether it’s an email that you send to a more senior person at your company, or having to explain a technical concept to your client, never underestimate the importance of good communication skills.
What advice do you have for students on campus today?
Be involved as much as you can outside of the classroom, and don’t be afraid to try something new! Holy Cross has so many unique opportunities that you can take advantage of, which might end up being some of your favorite memories.
