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Meet Alum Daniel Walsh, Chief Architect of Container Technologies at Red Hat

Name: Daniel Walsh

Title: Chief Architect of Container Technologies

Organization: Red Hat

 

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail? 

I am chief architect of container technologies at Red Hat, which means I lead a group of Operating System engineers who write code to control what third party applications do on an Linux computer system.

 

2. What were you involved in when you were on campus? 

I was heavily involved in the Holy Cross Band, Member of Big Brothers/Big Sister.  Performed in ACT Alternate College Theater, as well as senior Play. Went to multiple religious retreats. (5 days no talking). Lots of intramural sports (Basketball, Touch Football)

 

3. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?

Math Major, I wanted to go into Computer Science, but Holy Cross did not offer the major at that time.  I also took course at WPI through the consortium.

 

4. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

I was a horrible writer when I got to Holy Cross, and really felt like I would fail out of some writing courses, but the professors worked with me and got me to the point, where I was passable.  Now I write (blog) prolifically and am well known in the computer security world for my communications skills. I don’t believe I would have been as successful if I had gone to a technical college.

 

5. What advice do you have for students today?

Enjoy your college experience. If you have a non-technical background, don’t assume you will not be able to work at a high-tech company.  Most of the employees at the top technical companies need to be able communicate.  Sales, marketing, human resources, documentation, management, customer support, legal and hundreds of other jobs require read/writing skills.  Even software engineers need to document their software, and explain how to use it. It is my belief that a liberal arts education, teaches this fundamental skill.
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Meet #CrusaderIntern Seryna Warren ’22

Name: Seryna Warren

Class Year: 2022

Intern Title: Human Resources Project Manager

Organization: Seaside Sustainability

 

1. Tell us about where you interned over the summer and the kind of work you are doing.

Over the summer, I remotely interned at an organization called Seaside Sustainability based in Gloucester, MA. At Seaside, I was a Human Resources Project Manager, where I handled internal communications between staff, and worked to prioritize the mental well-being of the employees. In this position, I managed projects pertaining to mental health and community well-being, such as workshops and newsletter programs. At Seaside, I also worked as a Green Consulting intern, where I collaborated with a team on the development of a sustainability consulting program and contract to use in collaboration with schools to help them work towards more sustainable campuses. At this internship, I also received the President’s Volunteer Service Award, an award given to interns who complete a certain amount of volunteer hours.

 

2. Give us an example of how you have applied your academic learnings to your internship?

I was able to apply so much of my academic learning to my internship. As an Environmental Studies major, I am able to go into depth in a plethora of different disciplines during the academic year, from the humanities to the hard sciences. During the summer, I was able to carry over all I had learned while involved in the ENVS program to my internship. I was able to apply my knowledge of the hard sciences, such as biology and chemistry, to the brainstorming and developing of consulting areas. I also was able to utilize my knowledge from my course on environmental perspectives to prioritize ethics in the consulting program as well.

 

3. What has surprised you about being an intern?

What had surprised me about being an intern was how much I was actually able to contribute to the organization. Upon starting the internship, I had the misconception that I would only be able to contribute so much, as someone with minimal experience. I totally was. wrong. During my internship, I felt as though my ideas and thoughts were well heard and included in the work that was going on, leaving me with the feeling that I had made such a strong contribution to the teams that I was on.

 

4. How did this experience influence or connect to your future career plans / goals?

This experience helped me to establish a few ideas that I have for my future. To look more positively, as a Green Consulting Intern, I was able to establish a curiosity about sustainability consulting that I continued today with my participation in the Pothos Project here at HC. I also learned through this internship that I hope to have a more active position in a career. All of my internship was done behind a computer screen, which was great as I was able to work with people all over the world, but I also found that it was not the type of work setting I hope to have in my future career. I also feel as though my internship showed me the opportunities to work in nonprofit organizations, which is another career path I hope to look more into.

 

5. Any internship advice to pass on to other Holy Cross students?

My best advice when looking for / doing an internship is to make meaningful connections through networking. Over the course of my internship, I was able to meet and network with some amazing individuals. This skill of networking continues to help me today with my current internship (different from my summer internship), as well as within my career search.
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Meet Alumna Christina Lindberg ’11, Associate at Miner Siddall LLP

Name: Christina Lindberg

Class Year: 2011

Title: Associate

Organization Name: Miner Siddall LLP

 

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

I represent individuals and corporations in a variety of civil and criminal matters in state and federal courts.

 

2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross?

I knew I wanted to attend law school by my junior year. Through the SIP Program, I found a summer internship with JP Morgan’s intellectual property law department. I took an LSAT prep course on campus during my senior year and consulted with my professors about my plans. At my next internship, I explored criminal law as an intern with the Committee for Public Counsel Services. To find my first position out of law school, I went through the typical on campus interview process and I was happy to secure a position as an associate at a law firm in Boston.

 

3. How did you learn / decide it was a good fit for you?

I enjoy the variety of litigation work. I spend a substantial amount of time researching and writing motions, but I am also in court or in depositions regularly. With each new case, I learn about new industries and how the law applies to the particular facts of my case.

 

4. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

I was involved with an SAT tutoring program and an afterschool tutoring program for younger students. I was also a staff writer for the student newspaper.

 

5. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?

As an English major, I spent a lot of time reading, researching, and writing. I knew I wanted to continue that in my career through litigation work.

 

6. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

My professors at Holy Cross always gave constructive feedback and pushed me to think outside the box. I try to use that same creative thinking every day when I’m brainstorming arguments and writing a brief.

 

7. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

Take advantage of the strong Holy Cross alumni network. Over the years, alumni have been a great resource for me. Don’t wait until you’re applying for a job. Reach out to alumni when you find their career path or current position interesting. A quick thirty minute chat is a great way to get to know someone and make a new connection.
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Meet Alumna Micaela Melley Chiaramonte ‘08, Director of Major Gifts and Centennial Celebration

Name: Micaela Melley Chiaramonte

Class Year: 2008

Title: Director of Major Gifts and Centennial Celebration

 Organization Name: The Nightingale-Bamford School in Manhattan, New York

 

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail? 

Essentially, I work in sales –  but it is much more fascinating than typical sales work (i.e. cars, software platforms, etc.) –  as I work with individuals’ personal assets and philanthropic donations. When someone makes a philanthropic donation, s/he does not necessarily get anything tangible in return except a warm feeling that s/he has helped enhance the common good. This giving spirit is incredibly empowering to be around. Pre-COVID, I also oversaw affiliated fundraising gala events and was most recently leading a 1,100 person event at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

 

2. 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?  

My first two jobs after college were a complete result of the Holy Cross alumni network!

My first job was at a software startup company, then called OpenAir. One of the co-founders was a Holy Cross graduate (Tom Brennan ’86) and he hired many Holy Cross students, with all various majors. He was driven by the notion that with our liberal arts background, we would be able to easily adapt and learn the software industry – and he was right! I worked in their Customer Support and Account Management departments for 4 years and learned so very much about sales and the business industry.

While I enjoyed being in sales, I knew that I wanted to transition to non-profit to explore the area of sales I liked the most – building relationships with clients but in a more meaningful capacity.

I then transitioned to the non-profit world and started working at Harvard University in their Alumni Affairs and Development department. I was introduced to my manager through a Holy Cross alum (the Holy Cross alumni network is amazing and is everywhere – you have to always be ready!) After Harvard, I moved to New York City and worked for The New School for five years and became more focused and specialized in major giving and special events at Parsons School of Design and the College of Performing Arts. I organized fundraising events during fashion week and a Centennial Celebration at Carnegie Hall. I had the unique opportunity to work with a Parsons’ donor who established a scholarship in memory of his late, close friend who was a Holy Cross graduate. It was very special to work with these families in building quite the legacy gift. I then transitioned to The Nightingale-Bamford School, an all-girls K-12 independent school in Manhattan where I have been leading the charge on their endowment campaign and major giving the last three years. My work in the fast-paced event world involves many late nights and weekend work but it is very inspiring and rewarding.

 

3. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?

I double majored in history and Spanish and spent my junior year abroad in Leon, Spain.

The skills I learned from both majors have played a critical role in my career. Being a history major provided me with incredible research and writing skills that I use daily in my role. My Spanish major was influential in helping me build my communication skills, especially listening skills. Most importantly, both majors and studying abroad, provided the foundation in giving me the confidence to ask questions.

 

4. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

Research and writing skills from being a history major: Before I meet with a donor, I research every possible angle of this individual’s life so I can be prepared to align a solicitation/my organization’s funding priorities to his/her best interests. I am constantly writing – from small emails, to handwritten thank you notes, to complex donor proposals.

Listening skills from being a Spanish major: A huge part of my job is to truly listen to the donor (you would be surprised how many people struggle with mastering this skill!). My Spanish major taught me the importance and taking a step back and truly listening and focusing on what the person is saying.

 

5. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

Embrace the Holy Cross alumni network; start familiarizing yourself with its resources as early as you can. You are the best advocate for your career. No one is going to help advance your career –  you have to take the initiative. Always listen to your gut!
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Meet Alum Michael Morigi ’19, Analyst at Partners Capital

Name: Michael Morigi

Class Year: 2019

Title: Analyst

Organization Name: Partners Capital

 

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

I research hedge fund investment opportunities and build/manage multi-asset class portfolios for clients.

 

2. 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?

Early in senior year, I was connected to Partners Capital through my friend and fellow HC alumnus, Carson Marsh (Class of ‘17). Carson and I knew each other from Finance Club and he thought that this opportunity would fit well with my interests. After conducting my own due diligence, I thought Partners Capital would be a great fit due to the analytical nature of the work, flat organizational structure that would allow me to impact the business early in my tenure, and opportunity to manage portfolios on behalf of sophisticated, mission-driven and global clients. As I reflect on my first two years in the role, not only have I been able to work on strategic projects for the firm – such as quantifying how we think our hedge fund investments might perform in periods of market stress, or redesigning our firmwide municipal bond allocations – but I’ve also had the opportunity to work directly with managing directors / partners of the firm and personally present my work to the broader team.

 

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

I was involved with the Pre-Business Program through programs such as the Finance Club and HC Capital / the Student Investment Fund. I was also a resident assistant and served on SGA.

 

4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?

I was a double major in economic and political science. My work in political science focused on international relations, which fit well with my love for history but also provided me with the insights to better understand how the world “works”. My economics major contributed a lot to my political science work, but it also provided me with relevant experiences and skills for my current job through classes such as Financial Economics and Industrial Organization.

 

5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?

The critical thinking skills I developed at Holy Cross are critical to my day-to-day work at Partners Capital. As an example, I work on the portfolio management team for multiple clients and must constantly evaluate potential investment actions to optimize results. Global markets are always changing and there are often second or third-order implications for any investment plan that must be considered, particularly when managing large portfolios to specific mandates. Additionally, time management and adaptability are key skills which were tested and developed during my time at HC and have served me well in my current role, especially amid the height of the Covid-19 disruptions last March and April.

 

6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

If you see an opportunity to get involved or if there is some organization / internship, etc. that you are interested in – do it. Holy Cross provides you with a wealth of opportunities and if you aren’t finding something that you are looking for, the Center for Career Development can help; I used to go into the office so often I’m surprised they didn’t kick me out! I would also say don’t be afraid to reach out to alumni. I found Partners Capital through our network but I’ve also had the opportunity to speak with so many interesting people thanks to the connections Holy Cross provides. If you have an interest in some field or role, chances are someone from Holy Cross knows it. Finally – please make an effort to study abroad. I realize Covid-19 has complicated things, but I can’t stress enough how fulfilling and memorable my time abroad was in Russia (Maymester) or Trinity (full-year study abroad). If anything, it’s a conversation starter for interviews!