Author: rimaal17

Name: Kyler Canastra

Graduation Year: 2014

Major: Spanish & History

Industry: Currently an English Teaching Assistant in León, Spain, planning to pursue a career in Education. Also, working as the Study Abroad Cultural Advisor for Holy Cross students in León.

Favorite Class: Either “Modern Spanish Drama” with Professor Freear-Papio, “Bilingualism in the Spanish-Speaking World” with Professor Alba-Salas or “French Revolutions” with Professor McBride

Campus Involvement: SPUD, Spring Break Immersion Leader, Arrupe Immersion Leader (Nicaragua), Bilingual Theater Troupe, Music Ministry, Student Advising Committee (Spanish Department), Pax Christi, Sound of St. James A Cappella Group, Foreign Language Assistant Cultural Liaison, Escape Retreat Leader, Study Abroad Ambassador

College Internship/Work Experience: Campus Ministry Internship: ESL teacher in New Bedford, MA, Mellon Summer Research in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Fine Arts: Conducted research with Professor Alba-Salas

What were some of the most defining events/opportunities/aspects of your time at Holy Cross?

Some of the most defining opportunities that I had at Holy Cross were those in which I was able to leave Worcester and explore different places both close and far from campus. As both a sophomore and a senior, I was able to travel to Nicaragua through the Chaplain’s office, which allowed me to witness the global issues that many face around the world. This trip challenged me both spiritually and emotionally and allowed me to begin to understand the difficult realities that many face in other countries. I still remember the people that I met there and I continue remembering their stories years later. Nicaragua was not the only time I was able to travel internationally during my time on the Hill. I had the chance to study abroad my junior year in León, Spain. Not only did this experience help me to become fluent in another language, but it also taught me how to adapt to a different culture and way of life. By living with a host family and attending a foreign university, I found myself far out of my comfort zone. Although it seemed difficult at first, I grew as both a student and global citizen.

It may seem that most of my defining experiences as a Holy Cross student occurred in other countries; however, some of the most special moments of my undergraduate career are from my involvement as a volunteer with SPUD in Worcester. Throughout my time on campus, I volunteered in different positions including being an ESL teacher for local immigrants. By getting off campus once a week and leaving the worries and stresses of being a college student behind, I was able to engage with my local community and learn from those who also called Worcester “home.”

What is one thing someone should be certain to do before they graduate?

I think that every student should go on a Spring Break Immersion Trip at least once before they graduate. Before attending Holy Cross and learning about this opportunity, I had always imagined that I would either spend my Spring breaks home or traveling with friends. I never thought that I would go on a service trip. I did not go on Spring Break Immersion as a first-year student and I regretted it. I remember all of my friends coming back and raving about how much fun they had and how much the experience had impacted them. I signed up during my second year and the trip was unforgettable. Not only did I meet new friends on the trip, but I also learned the importance of service work and the impacts it has both on the volunteer and the local community. I was luckily able to lead a Spring Break Immersion trip my senior year and it is something I will never forget. Spring Break Immersion takes the many Jesuit values that you learn on campus and allows you to begin to apply them to your everyday life.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field?

Patience. Teaching is a such a rewarding experience; however, you always have to be accommodating and flexible in order to learn how to connect with your students. By moving to Spain and teaching English in a high school, I took a risk. Not only have I had to adjust to a foreign education system, but I had to learn how to connect with my students by using their second language and to make sure that they understood every word that I said. At first, it was very difficult. There were many long days where I questioned my decision to teach. However, after many weeks and months had passed, I began to learn what strategies worked best with my students and after a year here in Spain, I have found my experience to be very rewarding. Being a good teacher does not happen overnight. You have to take the time and connect with your students and analyze your teaching style in order to see improvements within your classroom.

What skills have you found most useful in your professional life that you attribute from learning at Holy Cross?

During my time on the Hill, I learned that it is necessary to be open-minded in any situation in order to achieve any goal. While you might have a specific idea in mind, you must be able to listen to your peers and adjust to their needs and suggestions. Living and working in a foreign country has challenged me to incorporate my own knowledge in the field of education through collaboration with my colleagues. It is almost as if I were back at Holy Cross working on a group project or presentation. Not only am I learning from my own experience, but I am also learning for the input and ideas of my fellow teachers. Holy Cross taught me to discuss and analyze any situation and I am grateful for this every day that I go into school.

What is the most important advice you could give a student on obtaining an internship or a job?

I would say that it is most important to be calm and willing to try new things when applying for a job and internship. We all want to plan our futures and have the “perfect” job that will make us happy, but I know from experience that we cannot live our lives in this manner. We have to be able to overcome any setback and learn from our mistakes and from what we are given in a particular moment. Work hard for what you want, but take risks and take advantage of the opportunities that you are presented with. When starting at Holy Cross, I never thought that I would end up being a teacher in Spain, but I am so grateful for taking chances and being open to new experiences.

Full Name: Claire Malone

Internship Company: Cosmopolitan Magazine

Internship Position: Sales and Marketing

Internship Location: Hearst Tower- New York City

While looking for your internship, what services did you use at the Center for Career Development? 

Last Fall while researching summer internships I utilized the strong Holy Cross alumni network and identified the Cosmopolitan opportunity. While at the Women in Business conference, I was introduced to an executive from Cosmopolitan who is also a Holy Cross alum.  She has worked at Cosmo for a number of years and always likes to hire an HC student for the summer.  Before my Cosmopolitan phone interview, I spoke with Megan Chester in the Career Development Center who took me through a mock interview to help me prepare.

 

What skills did you gain from your internship experience and how have they added to your professionalism?

My experience this past summer at Cosmo has allowed me to not only further develop my knowledge of the sales and marketing industry, but also allowed me to sharpen my analytical and interpersonal skills.  Throughout the summer, I was responsible for analyzing a number of competitor magazines in order to establish how Cosmo can differentiate themselves within the industry.  Furthermore, collaborating with senior representatives in the development of sales presentations allowed me to establish professional relationships with those in the industry.

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

Working at Cosmopolitan Magazine allowed me to further explore my interest in sales and marketing, as well as develop valuable life skills.  I was not only able to gain professional experience in the work force, but I also learned the ins and outs of New York City.  In the future, I plan to pursue my interest in this field by hopefully either working at a magazine or at an advertising agency.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to the future intern?

It is important to make the most out of the internship.  Cosmo has so much to offer and you will be working with so many interesting people on a daily basis.  Everyone in the office is extremely open and willing to answer any questions that you might have so take them up on that opportunity.  While my internship focused on sales and marketing, I encourage you to explore other departments such as editorial and layout in order to broaden your understanding of the magazine world.  These opportunities can really allow you to discover which section of the magazine best suits your personality.

Overall, what was your most exciting experience at your internship?

Working at Cosmopolitan Magazine was a dream come true.  The atmosphere of the office and the employees that I was surrounded with made each and every day new and exciting.  One of my favorite parts about the internship was the Cosmo U program.  Every Wednesday, the Cosmo interns would team up with the interns from Redbook and Seventeen to meet with people from the various departments within the magazine.  This was an amazing opportunity to not only meet new people, but to also see the different areas of the company.  Additionally, on the last day of the internship, the interns were invited into the Cosmo beauty closet to help themselves to the extras from the photo shoots!

Thanksgiving break is just around the corner and winter break is just over four weeks away. What better time than now to start thinking about your summer internship search? For many students that can cause stress or panic. Where do I start? The Center for Career Development (CCD) is here to help! Follow these key steps to conduct an effective summer internship search.

First, you need to be able to articulate the type of internship you are looking for. Consider your strengths, interests, and passions. Then, align those with industries, fields, and/or the type of work you might enjoy doing. The Center for Career Development can guide you through this exploration process.  Stop in Hogan 203 or call 508-793-3880 to set up an appointment with a counselor.

Once you have an idea as to the type of internship experiences you are seeking, the first rule of thumb is: cast a wide net. There are many places and approaches to finding an internship. You should be deploying them all! The Center for Career Development markets many internships across all student populations. In fact, we posted over 600 internships last year! So, pay attention. A weekly internship newsletter is sent via email each Sunday afternoon from the CCD office. Make sure you’re reading that newsletter each week to target internships that might be of interest to you.

Utilize online resources! A number of resources to consider are:

• Crusader Connections
• Liberal Arts Career Network (LACN) Internship Database
• Idealist
• Internmatch.com
• Internships.com

Links to these site can all be found on the CCD website under Online Resources (http://holycross.edu/support-and-resources/career-planning-center/online-resources). Use these job boards and sites to search for internships that align with your interest areas.

Network! Network! Network! The alumni community at Holy Cross is incredibly strong. Tap into that community as you search for an internship. Use the Career Advisors Network, which you can link to from the Online Resources page on the CCD website. Alumni within the Career Advisors Network have offered their time to talk to students about their careers. Why wouldn’t you take advantage of that? Use LinkedIn to search for Alumni who are at companies or doing the kind of work you’re most interested in. Reach out and schedule time to talk with them. You can get some valuable advice and guidance from alumni who are in an industry or field of work that you aspire to!

For those of you considering unpaid or underpaid internships, limited funding is available. Visit the Summer Internship Funding page on our website to learn more (http://holycross.edu/support-and-resources/career-planning-center/summer-internships/summer-internship-funding). The deadline to apply for funding is January 31^st 2016.

You don’t have to go through this process alone. Career Development is here to help you. Don’t be a stranger! Stop into Hogan 203 or schedule an appointment so we can help you create a tailored internship search strategy. Put your time during winter break to good use!

(Written by Julie Draczynski)

     This past Saturday, the Coccia Office of Entrepreneurial Studies held the 10th Annual Women in Business Conference in the Hogan Ballroom.  The event is aimed at celebrating, honoring, and inspiring past and present Holy Cross women in their career endeavors.  The organizing committee, comprised Professor David Chu, Cassie Gevry, Kathy Lavalee and eight Holy Cross students, worked hard to prepare for a successful day.

    Kim Miles, the founder of Miles in Heels, attends conferences and helps the attendees to ‘get past hello,’ and kicked off the event with an icebreaker that allowed current students and alumni to find commonalities among their experiences at Holy Cross.  Each table was given a topic ranging from “favorite Holy Cross tradition” to “best urban legend.”  As a comedian, Kim provided commentary on each story and helped to create a welcoming atmosphere for all.  This activity allowed students and alumni to find a common ground and led to deeper conversations about life experiences and offered opportunities for professional career advice.

    Miles set the stage for the morning’s Keynote Speaker, Amy Bell, Holy Cross Class of 1988 and Deputy Editor of Vanity Fair Magazine.  Bell’s speech was empowering for many as she started by talking about her roots as an English Major at Holy Cross, the difficulties she experienced in Graduate School at New York University, and her entry level jobs in magazine publishing.  Each of these experiences led her to the work she has done at Vanity Fair Magazine.  The address was relatable to many, as she shared specific stories from her undergraduate life, how to make the transition into post graduate life, and answered questions about managing being a mother and a professional.  Throughout her speech, Bell reiterated the importance of making oneself an indispensable asset to a company by arriving to work early, staying late, and always giving one hundred and ten percent to assignments.  She attributes her success to this motto that she uses daily and encouraged the audience to follow this advice, as it makes employees stand out in the competitive work force.  Overall, Amy Bell’s speech was very well written, relatable, and offered many life lessons.

    Next, alumni and students chatted over lunch and socialized, which offered for great networking opportunities before the afternoon events.  At 2:00, students and alumni attended various alumni represented panels with topics ranging from “Ten Years Out:  Life After the Hill,” to “Building Your Personal Brand.”  I attended a session called “Corporate Etiquette,” which was run by three recent graduates, who are currently working for General Electric, including in Texas and Connecticut.  This session was very helpful, as Kellie, Lauren, and Whitney offered tips on correspondence, proper dress attire, and other situations that one commonly faces in the office.  Their insights, responses to questions, and stories about their time at Holy Cross were helpful in gaining new perspectives into life after Holy Cross.

    Overall, Women In Business was a success, as the speakers, alumnae support, and attendance by currents students created a friendly and welcoming atmosphere with many intellectual conversations and new connections.  The record number of students in attendance, with fifty more than last year, reflects the strength and growth of the Women In Business program over the last ten years.

(Written by Sara McLean’17)

Full Name: Brendan Healey’16

Internship Company: Ogilvy & Mather

Internship Position: Account Management Intern

Internship Location: New York, NY

While looking for your internship, what services did you use at the Center for Career Development?  

I have used the Center for Career Development since second semester Freshman year. So pretty much, I have used it for everything. I have had one-on-one meetings, drop-ins, workshops, etc. And they have all been excellent.

What skills did you gain from your internship experience and how have they added to your professionalism?

I gained a world of skills. First of all, simply being in a corporate office changes you, your demeanor, and really the way you carry yourself. While advertising, and O&M especially, is casual, it’s still a major office. You never know whom you’re standing next to, or riding the elevator with. And you work alongside people who have been in those environments for years. You have to elevate your skills. In terms of concrete skills, I learned and continue to learn how to create PowerPoint (“decks”). There is an art to them. I gained advertising-specific knowledge- processes, steps to take on different types of assignments.

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

I would say this experience certainly influenced my career plans. Ogilvy is a major company, with offices in every part of the world. It’s one of the best ad agencies. It’s fast paced. People are smart. People are interesting. It pushes you to be at your best everyday. It’s impossible not to want to work there, or for that matter, in the advertising field in general.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to the future intern?

Be a great ambassador of Holy Cross. Get there before your bosses. Be passionate. Bring positive energy. Offer to help and speak up for work.

Overall, what was your most exciting experience at your internship?

The best part about my experience was winning the team competition at the end. We were divided into team of 5, assigned coaches (full time employees), and given a real assignment for a real Ogilvy client. We were tasked with creating a comprehensive marketing campaign for a mid-sized bank. Over the course of 6 weeks or so, we conducted extensive research, interviewed people in-person and via survey, and put together a plan for the bank. In the end won after presenting to a panel of judges: Ogilvy executives and clients from the bank. This was an awesome experience given that our team was composed of liberal arts students – Colgate, NYU, Barnard, and Howard, which validated the Holy Cross experience more than I could have ever expected.

Full Name: Marisa Carlson

Internship Company: PepsiCo

Internship Position: Corporate Control Intern aiding Internal Reporting

Internship Location: White Plains/Purchase, NY

While looking for your internship, what services did you use at the Center for Career Development?  

I had my resume checked and did two mock interviews at the Career Development Center.

Are you involved in any of the COES clubs and/or programs? If yes, how did they help prepare you for your internship?

I am a part of the Women in Business Planning Committee ,which is where I had the opportunity to meet the Keynote speaker for the 2014 conference Anne Fink, who is a Holy Cross alumni and COO of PepsiCo Foodservice. I also met two other PepsiCo employees, who graduated from Holy Cross, that aided me in the interview process.

What skills did you gain from your internship experience and how have they added to your professionalism?

I gained both personal skills and professional skills this summer. I gained a better understanding of Accounting Information Systems, Excel, Ad-hoc capabilities and Financial Statement components. I also was able to sharpen my organizational and communication skills.

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

I am an accounting major, so I will hopefully be able to return to PepsiCo or another major corporation after working for one of the Big Four accounting firms.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to the future intern?

The best piece of advice I got at PepsiCo was to make sure your work is accurate. If you have a spelling error on the first page of a report, all of your hard work may be disregarded. This one thing has stuck with me and is applicable to all aspects of life.

Overall, what was your most exciting experience at your internship?

I know it’s cliche, but the PepsiCo environment was probably the best part of my internship. I had a lot of fun participating in a wide variety of intern activities ( which I won’t spoil) and I also was able to learn and accomplish a lot. My manager gave me meaningful tasks and was there to help me succeed.

Full Name: Nicholas Matthews

Internship Company: LUMA Partners

Internship Position: Investment Banking Summer Analyst

Internship Location: New York, NY

While looking for your internship, what services did you use at the Center for Career Development?  

During my search I utilized a wide range of services offered by the Center for Career Development. After my admittance to SIP, I frequented the drop in hours to have my resume and cover letter reviewed. In addition, I made several special appointments to talk about networking and interview advice. Once I landed an interview for various positions, I schedule a mock interview, something I would highly recommend, to help me prepare present my skills and experience in a favorable way to employers.

 

Are you involved in any of the COES clubs and/or programs? If yes, how did they help prepare you for your internship?

I have been involved in a number of COES clubs and programs. My freshman year I joined the Finance Club, which provided me exposure to financial markets and concepts, and served as the basis for my knowledge going forward. I also participated in the Summer Business Program, Excel Workshop, and Future steps workshop, all of which were instrumental in my securing an internship and granted me useful skills once I had begun my internship.

 

What skills did you gain from your internship experience and how have they added to your professionalism?

As my first true foray into the finance industry, LUMA Partners was incredibly beneficial and very instructive. Firstly, I gained experience with valuation techniques and financial modeling that is widely applicable in the industry, and can be leveraged into many different positions. Furthermore, LUMA Partners afforded me a unique perspective into the digital media industry, and through various analytical research projects, I learned how to evaluate business trends and forecast potential events that might occur in the future. In addition to these technical skills, working in a fast paced and complex environment helped me put into practice the learning skills Holy Cross teaches its students so well, and from this environment I learned the various skills necessary to perform at a professional level.

 

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

One very beneficial aspect of my experience was my proximity to New York City, and the opportunity that gave me to network with the many Holy Cross alumni in the area. I was fortunate that I was able to meet with several of them, and learn from their own experiences after Holy Cross. The process of building my network both at LUMA Partners and outside it really helped me to determine which direction I would want to explore next in my career. No matter where you end up as an intern, I would highly recommend networking, as I consider it the best way to determine your next career move.

 

What is one piece of advice that you would give to the future intern?

To a future intern at LUMA Partners, I would have two pieces of advice. Number one, come in with a curious mind, and be ready to absorb a lot of new information. The alumni and staff at LUMA are extremely knowledgeable in their field, and if you constantly ask questions and work hard to learn the information they teach you, you will certainly get a lot out of the experience. Secondly, there undoubtedly be a learning curve, but don’t be intimidated if you start your experience and don’t really understand what’s going on. There is a lot of new jargon, related to both finance and digital media, but Holy Cross has prepared you well for dealing with large amounts of new information. As long as you reach out for help as you need it, and remember the skills learned in school, you will become acclimated to the language.

Overall, what was your most exciting experience at your internship? 

The most exciting part of the internship for me was the ability to sit in on business meetings. Getting up close and personal to the interactions with the clients, or watching a presentation or sales pitch was intriguing for me and gave me a sense not only for LUMA’s business, but how business was conducted in general. This unique experience exposed me to a lot of interesting people and stories.

Name: Chris Campbell

Graduation Year: 2015

Major: Religious Studies

Industry: University of Vermont, Higher Education and Student Affairs

Favorite Class: Faith and World Poverty

Campus Involvement: Residence Life and Housing (HRA and RA), Gateways Orientation Leader, Director of Diversity and Class Senator for Student Government Association (SGA), Co-Chair/First Year Apprentice for Caribbean African Student Assemblage (CASA), Diversity Leadership Team, Peer Mentor for the Academic Services Center, and Magis.

College Internship/Work Experience: Hogan Campus Center- Building Supervisor, Office of Advancement Services, and Summer Intern for  the Student Government Association.

What were some of the most defining events/opportunities/aspects of your time at Holy Cross?Maymester in Paris, NJSLC at Santa Clara University and Boston College and El Salvador Immersion Trip

What is one thing someone should be certain to do before they graduate? Study abroad and participate in an immersion trip.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field? Embrace the ambiguity.

What skills have you found most useful in your professional life that you attribute from learning at Holy Cross?

• Awareness of cultural diversity and other’s viewpoints
• Empathy for others
• Problem solving
• Ask thought-provoking questions and think critically and analytically
• Adapt to change
• Ability to work cooperatively with others and communicate effectively

What is the most important advice you could give a student on obtaining an internship or a job?Do not underestimate the use of social media because internships can be found through online networking. Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram are all excellent resources for finding an internship and building your professional network. You can use hashtags or simple visit some of the accounts that post internships within your desired field.

Stand Out in Your Non-Profit Careers Conference Application

Non-profit organizations strive to make a positive impact in the world.  The non-profit sector is growing and includes a very wide range of causes.  Students interested in helping others, improving communities, and contributing to the common good of society often share values with non-profit organizations and find fulfillment in their daily work.  Ready to find out if the non-profit sector aligns with your skills, interests, and values? If you are unsure or think the non-profit sector could be for you, apply to the Non-Profit Careers Conference.

The Non-Profit Careers Conference is a week long program held at the end of winter break and is designed for students considering a career in the non-profit sector.  Applications are due at 11:59 PM on Sunday November 1. Thoughtfully written and well organized application materials really stand out and will influence the selection process.

A well organized one page resume is required. Never written a resume before? No problem!  Visit the Center for Career Development to get started.  Drop-In hours are Monday-Friday from 1-4 PM and Wednesday from 10 AM – 12 PM.  You can find the Resume Guide on the Career Development website.  If you already have a resume, stop by for a quick update.  The Conference seeks to bring students together with diverse and interesting backgrounds.  Be sure your resume highlights your most important experiences including academics, extra-curricular/leadership involvement, service, athletics, work experience, and any other experiences that are significant.

Use the essay to tell a story about yourself.  Reflect on an experience, explaining why it was significant for you and why it motivated you to apply to the Conference.  Sincerity is key.  It is also important to explain what you hope to gain from the conference. Avoid summarizing your resume.  The essay is a place to elaborate and expand upon an experience listed on your resume.

The non-profit sector is very versatile, exciting, and meaningful.  The Non-Profit Careers Conference can help you find ways to make your positive impact.

(Written by Megan Chester)

Full Name: Christopher R. Morgan

Graduation Year: 2016

Internship Company: Ocean Spray Cranberries

Internship Position: Research Analyst

Internship Location: Lakeville, MA

While looking for your internship, what services did you use at the Center for Career Development?

I went to the Center for Career Development to prepare for my interview and they edited my resume before applying for the job.

What skills did you gain from your internship experience and how have they added to your professionalism?
The internship experience allowed for me to gain industry experience and add to my ability to market myself. During the past summer, there were 16 other interns at Ocean Spray. Even though there were no more than 2-3 of us in each department, making a positive impact and being able to market myself led to a full time offer for post-graduation.

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

Significantly. Working with upper management weekly, and being able to connect/work with the CFO, and Vice Presidents of the company allowed for me to significantly expand my network. Also, working with suppliers, my network has grown to companies outside of Ocean Spray.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to the future intern?

Do the little things to set yourself up for success. Employers applaud when you show dedication to work and excitement. With this being said, if you truly don’t like what you do don’t fake it; being genuine goes a long way, especially when you are giving your work 110% of your effort.

Overall, what was your most exciting experience at your internship?
To be completely honest, my internship had many very exciting experiences and to label a single one as #1 doesn’t do justice to my experience. Due to the constraint of the question, I would have to say traveling to Chicago to visit packaging suppliers and co-packers was my most exciting experience of my internship. It is exciting to see the product start from the ground (cranberry bog) and end on the shelf.