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Meet Alum Michael Cole ’16, Community Relations Coordinator

Name: Michael Cole

Class Year: 2016

Job Title: Community Relations Coordinator

Organization Name: Office of Mayor Thomas McGee, City of Lynn

 

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

As Community Relations Coordinator for Mayor McGee, my job is to manage all questions or concerns residents have and to connect them with the appropriate resources or city department.

 

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?

One event that connected me to my industry and my first employer after graduating from Holy Cross was Working for Worcester. Through Working for Worcester, I established a relationship with Tim Garvin, CEO of the United Way of Central Massachusetts, which led me to my first job after graduation as a Community Relationship Manager at the United Way. I decided it was a good fit for me because I knew the work being done within the non-profit/political sector had a direct impact on people’s lives every day. The entire process of Working for Worcester, from the planning stages to the annual Build Day, provided me with a glimpse into what that would be like to work in an industry that directly impacts it’s community on a daily basis. Working at the United Way allowed me to further see the importance of this kind of work being done every day throughout Worcester. Even though I have moved on from the United Way, I still work in a position with the goal of positively influencing our entire community.

 

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

On campus I was a Kimball Captain, involved in Working for Worcester as the Director of Site Development and a Site Manager, Study Abroad in La Coruña, Spain, SPUD, Spring Break Immersion, Club Golf, Intramural Basketball and Soccer.

 

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

I was a double major in Political Science and Spanish. In my current position, I have the unique opportunity to be utilizing both of my majors in my job. Not only do I gain experience working in a mayor’s office from a political science perspective, but the City of Lynn has a large Spanish-speaking population as well. Every day I am speaking Spanish to residents over the phone, in the office, or publishing the Mayor’s social media posts in both English and Spanish.

 

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

Two of the most important skills I developed at Holy Cross are the ability to multi-task and to analyze large amounts of information on a variety of subjects from multiple angles. These are incredibly vital in being able to effectively communicate the takeaways from my conversations with residents or other colleagues back to either the Mayor or fellow staff.

 

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

I would advise today’s students to first and foremost, appreciate all the time you have at Holy Cross, nothing in the real world compares to our Holy Cross experience. Also, it is ok if you are uncertain about exactly what career you want to pursue. I know I, along with many of my friends, walked across the graduation stage unsure of what our futures would hold, but Holy Cross will prepare you to figure things out along the way. Follow your passions, be open to new challenges, embrace different ideas and never stop learning.
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Meet Alum Dr. Marco Clark ’89, President at Holy Cross College at Notre Dame

Name: Marco Clark

Class Year: 1989

Title: President

Organization Name: Holy Cross College at Notre Dame

 

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

President and CEO in Catholic higher education

 

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?  

With an interest in education, Dean Joe Maguire assisted me to take education classes at other colleges in the Worcester consortium. He also aided me to get an internship in the Auburn and Oxford public school system working with at risk youth in a program called Project JOBS/Project COFFEE. As well, since I played football at Holy Cross, I had an interest in coaching. Between my desire to coach and the work I did with at-risk youth, I was offered a position as a guidance counselor and coach following graduation. It was a great fit for me. One thing I recognized through my interview process is that I would have great mentors to learn from in my early career. After spending the past 34+ years in Catholic education, I often reflect on how it all began. I really just wanted to be a high school or college football coach. God clearly had other plans, and for that I am thankful.

 

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

Football, intramurals, SPUD

 

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

Psychology. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with the degree until I did an internship working 1:1 with at-risk youth (see above).

 

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

Writing/communication skills, public speaking, critical thinking, viewing everything through a lens of equity and justice.

 

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

Take it all in. The days can be long, but the years go fast. Also, find a mentor and don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance and direction, including possible spiritual direction. As you seek to discover more about your interests and career path, think with a vocation mindset, pray, and discern what God is calling you to. The spiritual writer Frederick Buechner stated, “Vocation is when your deep gladness meets with the deep needs of the world.” Be in search of that deep gladness and have the competence to see and the courage to act on the deep needs of the world and you will have found your vocation.
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Meet Alumna Sarah Palmieri ’08, Sr. Advisor, Federal Program Manager at Dell Technologies

Name: Sarah (Tagg) Palmieri

Class Year: 2008

Title: Sr. Advisor, Federal Program Manager

Organization Name: Dell Technologies

 

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

As a Federal Program Manager, I lead programs supporting the Federal Services business at Dell – primarily focused on enabling our Services Sales and Online portfolios.

 

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?  

I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do when I graduated. I had majored in English because I enjoyed that subject, not because I had a particular career path in mind. I applied to various jobs during my senior year through the Career Planning Center and ended up accepting a Sales position at a publishing company. I knew Sales was not what I wanted to do long-term, but it was a way to get my foot in the door and gain some experience. I spent 5 years at that company, making a couple lateral moves until I found the area I was interested in – project management. At this point, I also realized I was more interested in the tech industry than publishing. So, I left for a position as a project manager for a website translation company. I stayed there for a year and a half and eventually ended up at EMC Corporation, which was later acquired by Dell. I have been at Dell for about 8 years now and am very happy in my current role.

 

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

Summer Internship Program, SPUD, Women in Business

 

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

I was an English major with a minor in Philosophy.

 

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

Critical thinking is fundamental to my role as a Program Manager. I need to be comfortable with ambiguity and changing priorities every day. I use my best judgment to make decisions on my programs to have a positive impact on the business. Communication and interpersonal skills are also key to success as a Program Manager.

 

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

Take advantage of the Holy Cross network and the Career Planning Center. Attend as many career events as you can – you may learn about career paths you never knew existed. If you don’t know exactly what you want to do upon graduating, that is OK! Find an area that aligns with your interests and get some experience. You can always try something new if it doesn’t work out.
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Meet Alumna Carolyn Dunderdale ’22, Clinical Research Coordinator

Name: Carolyn Dunderdale

Class Year: 2022

Title: Clinical Research Coordinator

Organization Name: Massachusetts General Hospital

 

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

I manage all the daily activities, like meeting with patients and handling data, for research investigating heart disease in people living with HIV.

  

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?  

The alumni networking nights showed me how many recent graduates found success in gap-year research, especially at Mass General Hospital. I individually spoke with these alumni, and what they gained from their research years was the same as what I was looking to accomplish.

 

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

Although my favorite group was SPUD, I also was part of the American Medical Student Association, Biology Student Advisory Committee, and XCHROM.

 

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

I was a Biology major, and class laboratory work showed me the importance of research in becoming a better physician-scientist. Last year in lab, I got to work with the same virus that effects the patients I see today.

 

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

How to listen thoughtfully to others, so I can better respond to their needs. If you want to understand someone, first truly listen to them.

 

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

Balance your life! The best way to stay motivated for studying is knowing you have something fun planned with your friends after.
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Meet Alumna Madison Brenchak ’22, Private Banking Analyst at JPMorgan

Name: Madison Brenchak

Class Year: 2022

Title: Private Banking Analyst

Organization Name: JPMorgan

 

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

My job is client facing, which involves creating decks and pitchbooks, executing trades, and proposing investment ideas all to help individuals and families plan their wealth to achieve their goals.

 

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?  

 Planned events that helped me include: Finance Club and HCSIF, especially Finance Bootcamp with visit to NYC and touring firms, active networking, and attending workshops at HC.

Unplanned events that helped me include: Attending JPMorgan’s women’s initiative event for students, which led to early round interviews.

I knew it was a great fit at Finance Bootcamp when we visited JPM Private Bank my sophomore year. The floor we visited and met alumni on as a group, is in fact the exact floor I work on now!

I made the most of my summer internship which really helped me decide it was a great fit! After the initial learning curve and adjustments, I felt I enjoyed the work I was producing and that was affirmative in my decision to accept the full time offer.

 

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

I was involved in HCSIF, Finance Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters (SPUD), Spring Break Immersion, Society of St. Peter and Paul, alter serving, and the Pre-Business Program.

I worked in Campion in the chaplain’s office at the front desk!

 

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

I majored in Economics, which helped me develop perspective on the world and markets that provided a great foundation for pursuing Finance. However, I felt behind with my investment knowledge.

 

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

Connecting with people: putting myself out there, networking, and interacting with lots of different people helped me develop speaking skills that are extremely helpful at work. Whether talking to a client on the phone, or presenting my thoughts on the market to my boss, it is helpful to be able to speak and hold conversations with different people.

Independence: learning to schedule my day to be most productive helps me be efficient and multi-task at work. You have to be the one responsible with follow ups and communicating with various people on a multitude of tasks. You need to prioritize by urgency and complexity which can be a challenge.

 

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

Do not delay in networking or simply put minimal effort to “check it off the box.”

If you don’t leave a coffee chat or phone call with an action item, it is a waste of everyone’s time. Be intentional about your questions and be enthusiastic. Make sure to keep up consistent dialogue with alumni, don’t just reach out once.

It is all very overwhelming, so take it one step at a time. Always know there are upperclassmen and young grads who have just been in your shoes and are happy to help!
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Meet Alumna Sarah Kane ’16, Regional Director of Content at Arcis

Name: Sarah Kane

Class Year: 2016

Title: Regional Director of Content

Organization Name: Arcis

 

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

I manage the social media, website, branding, PR, and event coordination for 15 Golf Courses in Arizona (9 Public Courses and 6 Private).

 

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

I participated on the Women’s Softball team for all 4 years. I was the Captain my last two years. I was also a Member of the Janssen Leadership Academy. I was the Co-Chair of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

 

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

I majored in art and education. When I graduated from college, I was substitute teaching and I also had a job as a Receptionist at a high-end Jacksonville rooftop club in Jacksonville, FL (my hometown I networked with quite a few people here and landed a couple more jobs in the hospitality industry, which really let me take my creative personality to the next level. While I’m not working in an actual Art Museum or have my own Art Studio, I am still working in programs like Photoshop and Premiere Pro where I am able to edit photography and videos, expressing my creative outlet. I also feel that a successful Social Media page requires artistic intention with the correct staging of photos, and clever/creative captions to match.

 

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

I feel like I have become just a better human in general, and I feel like I have gotten to where I am today from what the Holy Cross community and standards preached. When people ask me about my college experience, I always tell them, “it was the best decision I ever made.” And I truly believe that. My teammates, friends, professors, and everyone in between were incredible mentors and motivators in my life and I think back and reflect on that often.

 

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

 Two things. One: Be kind. This goes such a long way. If you’re not a master at something but you’re kind, people are going to want to help you. Also, in the world we live in today, it’s so important to say hi to a stranger or express a compliment that you’re feeling. I feel like there is a lot of pressure on a lot of people, and that probably stems from after-effects of Covid, but kindness never harms anyone. The second: don’t be afraid to be still.  We move so fast in the world today. It’s a very competitive world, and also a very fast-paced world, where I find that people struggle with patience. When you’re in line at the grocery store and the person in front of you is taking a long time, be still. When you’re driving, don’t be in such a hurry. You’ll get there at nearly the same time anyways. When you feel like you have to run a million errands on the weekend, take your time. Life goes by way too fast to not appreciate the small stuff. Tough times always pass. Have an open mind and only look towards the future.