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A Reflection on Senior Fall 2020

With COVID- 19 still at the forefront of all of our lives, my senior year is looking drastically different than I could have ever imagined. Classes are completely online and campus is practically eerie. Even the Hoval, where students would normally be outside enjoying the beautiful September weather is completely empty. Although nothing is predictable or familiar right now, I have found some silver linings to the current situation. I am living off-campus in a house with my friends (which we signed on sophomore year), so I feel lucky that I’m still able to be together with my close friends. We’ve been able to spend a ton of quality time together and having a change of scenery from being home all spring/summer has been nice. Life is definitely less busy now than it was before COVID, and many fall Holy Cross traditions such as tailgates and sports events understandably need to be postponed until the virus is under control. If anything, I would say that new traditions are being born out of this time. My friends and I have begun going on walks more and spending time cooking dinner together most nights – things that might not have happened if we were still tied to our usual busy schedules. 

Something that I have found to be pivotal this semester is still staying involved in activities in any way possible. I am happy to still be remotely involved with Social Media Interning – having a schedule and an activity outside of my classes makes daily life seem much more normal.  Sitting at the same desk in front of my computer all day can also get mundane, so I try to change up my working spaces by sitting outside on my porch or doing work at the kitchen table. Campus facilities like the Dinand Library will also be open to some students soon (as long as they comply with regular testing and safety measures), so being able to go there and be on campus to some capacity is an exciting prospect. 

In terms of classes, my professors have been doing an incredible job making the most out of remote learning and being sympathetic to our situation at the current time. They put such a great effort into making Zoom classes as engaging and discussion-based as possible – their care for the students is definitely noticeable and I feel lucky to attend a school where the staff offers such a great support system. The greater administration as a whole has also been extremely proactive about testing measures and keeping COVID at bay for the few students who are on/ around campus, which is great. 

Obviously, this year hasn’t been anything like what I expected my senior year to be, and I miss the “normal” Holy Cross life. Yet, considering the circumstances, it has been far better than I’ve expected and I’m hopeful for what’s to come.

~Katherine Barrette ’21
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Sader Summer Scoop: Kerrin Mannion ’19

 

 

Name: Kerrin Mannion

Major/Minor/Concentration: English

Graduation Year: 2019

What are you doing this summer?: Internship

 

 

 

 

 

What exactly are you doing?: Boston Ballet School Marketing/Communications Intern

How did you hear about this opportunity?: Crusader Connections

What are you most excited about doing within this program?: I am excited to help with the school’s social media. I was an intern for Holy Cross Marketing’s social media so I’m looking forward to expanding the skills I learned there.

What are you hoping to gain from your experience?: I hope to enhance my writing skills and learn how to transfer them to a business setting. I also hope to learn about the brand and how it maintains its integrity through all of its communications.

Do you have any advice for prospective students thinking about doing an internship?: I think it’s best to keep an open mind when doing an internship. Sometimes there are aspects of the job that might not be exactly what you expected but it’s best to look at every moment as a learning opportunity. Even if there is a task you don’t like as much, it will help you weigh the pros and cons and determine whether you really want to pursue that field in the future.

When you were in high school, did you expect to have this opportunity in college?: I definitely did not expect to have this opportunity. I had always danced as a child throughout high school, so it is amazing to be able to help with the marketing initiatives for such a world renowned dance program.
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Sader Summer Scoop: Olivia Lozy ’20

 

 

Name: Olivia Lozy

Major/Minor/Concentration: Psychology/Studio Art

Graduation Year: 2020

What are you doing this summer?: Internship

 

 

 

What exactly are you doing?: I work at BBDO in New York City as an  Account Management Intern. I was assigned to the Dunkin’ Donuts account, which is brand new to BBDO (they just won Dunkin’ in May). Specifically,  I’m assisting with compiling competitive reports, analyzing consumer activity through statistics, social media, news, blogs, and other platforms, working with the creative and strategic teams, ensuring accurate budgeting for productions, overseeing production spots, brainstorming ways Dunkin’ can increase brand outreach, to name a few!

How did you hear about this opportunity?: Crusader Connections

What are you most excited about doing within this program?: Being a sponge and learning as much as I can about advertising!

What are you hoping to gain from your experience?: A clearer sense of what I want to do following graduation and what my career path holds. I’d like to know where my talents can most effectively be utilized and if advertising is the industry in which that can happen.

Do you have any advice for prospective students thinking about doing an internship?: Apply to anything that interests you! You might find yourself stepping out of your comfort zone, challenging yourself and learning a lot about something you otherwise never would’ve known. It’s a lovely way to expand both your academic and professional horizons whilst gaining personal experience that can lead you to investing your time in rewarding activities or a career.

 
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Sader Summer Scoop: Efrain Lozano ’19

 

 

 

Name: Efrain Lozano

Major/Minor/Concentration: Spanish and International Studies double major

Graduation Year: 2019

What are you doing this summer?: Internship

 

 

 

 

What exactly are you doing?: I am the Original Content/Features Intern at the National Football League (NFL) in Culver City, CA. Basically I help create original stories from players, teams, etc. In which the fans could relate to and somehow connect with our organization. I do research packets on each story I’m out in charge of and from there gather and compile footage that is sent to the producers and editors to cut it and put it together. I also get to sit through the edits of the stories I help put together, and sometimes even be present for the shoots.

How did you hear about this opportunity?: My own research as well through Crusader Connections.

What are you most excited about doing within this program?: I’m excited to be able to get the first hand experience of the ins and outs of the NFL. Having the opportunity to have that hand on experience with one of the biggest organizations in the world is great. In addition, having the opportunity to meet and network with so many important people, as it will prepare me to deal with these important people once I graduate from HC.

What are you hoping to gain from your experience?: I hope that after this experience, I am able to grow both professionally and personally. I think that this opportunity is great in the sense that I am taken very serious as if I were a regular employee. This pushes me to try my best every single day I’m in the office, so I definitely know this is a great start for my future career.

Do you have any advice for prospective students thinking about doing an internship?: Take advantage of every single opportunity you have to network with people from every department. You never know who you will meet at your internship, so always ask questions and be ready to put yourself outside of your comfort zone, that will give you the best experience.

When you were in high school, did you expect to have this opportunity in college?: Definitely not! I never imagined that I was going to work for such organization or even meet NFL players one-on-one.