career – Ciocca Center for Business, Ethics, and Society Blog

November 11, 2024

Curiosity, Confidence & Connection Inspire at 19th Annual WIB Conference

WIB Committee and Keynote Speaker

This past Saturday on November 2, Women in Business hosted their annual conference attended by nearly 200 alumnae and students. The conference kicked off with keynote speaker Joanna Geraghty ‘94, CEO of jetBlue and sociology major at Holy Cross, interviewed by Professor Susan Crawford Sullivan of the sociology department. “Curiosity is what makes a strong business leader, and that comes from a liberal arts education.” Geraghty shared.

Students and alumnae attended concurrent panels throughout the day including Women in Wealth, and Females in Fashion to Game Changers in Sports. Kate Beckerman ‘20, Global Compliance Manager at Boston Consulting Group, presented on a panel titled Beyond the Books: Humanities Majors Thriving in Business. “Our panel focus was on the power of a Liberal Arts education in the workplace” Beckerman shared. “I left feeling energized and inspired by the amazing students and alumnae in attendance!”

Another panel included Women Shaping the Future of Tech hosted by Jamee Herbert ’10, CEO & Co-Founder of BridgeCare and Aine Doyle ’20, Content Developer at IBM. The panel provided first hand insights on overcoming industry challenges. Herbert and Doyle highlighted strategies on navigating obstacles and the importance of mentorship within the tech industry. During round two of the breakouts, Finding your Voice and Communicating with Confidence was presented by Dana McManus ’16, Associate Relationship Manager at Wellington Management, and Baker Earl ’19, Associate, Internal Client Advisor at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. The focus was on practical tips to enhance the tool of confident communication. They highlighted the importance of communication when it comes to empowerment, leadership, and organizational change.

Of the close to 200 attendees, Catherine Cote ‘18, founder of Project Empathy, shared that coming away from the conference she felt “empowered and grateful for this community.” Sharing several of her key takeaways from the event, including “the overarching theme of connecting with others in this community. Every presenter spoke to how other HC women supported them in their career journeys.” Even President Rougeau chimed in on LinkedIn sharing that he was “deeply inspired by last weekend’s Women in Business conference” and that “it’s clear that the next generation of women business leaders is already making their mark at Holy Cross.”

Katie Browne ‘25, a graduating co-chair of the Women in Business Organizing Committee and incoming analyst at Goldman Sachs, shares “As I close this chapter, I carry forward the knowledge and relationships built during this journey. Thank you to The College of the Holy Cross for supporting and empowering women in business through such a meaningful platform!” Another of our graduating co-chairs of the Women in Business Organizing Committee, Ariana Clark ‘25,, would like to thank “everyone who attended, asked insightful questions, and contributed to this powerful day of connection. It was truly inspiring to see so many passionate individuals come together to empower and uplift one another.” Pam McGinley ‘80, Women in Wealth conference panelist and SVP at Morgan Stanley, shared that “all of their leadership is truly inspirational and positively impacts our ecosystem.”

We look forward to seeing you next fall on campus as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Women in Business Conference!

March 1, 2023

Student Shares Three Significant Takeaways to Land an Internship

Robert Posillico ’23 shares his thoughts on the internship search process.

It was the start of 2021, and the world was still figuring out what a post-Covid, new normal would look like. Holy Cross finally allowed students back on campus, locked in our dorms, doing online classes. I had set up my first meeting with the Center for Career Development (CCD) over Zoom to discuss important steps I should be taking as I began to think about a future career. Many internship programs were moved virtual and, in the case of many sophomore programs, shut down completely. I was advised to network and reach out to alums to learn about different career paths and opportunities. Looking back over the last few years, there are three significant takeaways; applying is a numbers game, starting early is key, and network network network!

Many internship programs were moved virtual and, in the case of many sophomore programs, shut down completely.

Read more for advice on landing an internship in the CSJ.

April 27, 2022

Prof. David Chu Announces Retirement After 31 Years

David Chu, associate professor of accounting and director of the College’s Carlyse and Arthur A. Ciocca ’59 Center for Business, Ethics, and Society has announced that he will be retiring at the end of this academic year, closing a 31-year career at Holy Cross.

Chu joined the Holy Cross faculty in 1991 and was promoted to associate
professor in 1997. “I have had a wonderful 31-year career at Holy Cross, starting in the fall of 1991 as an accounting professor in the economics department, and subsequently directing the business program for the last 16 years,” he says. “I am extremely grateful for all the support and camaraderie given to me by the administration, colleagues, and alumni.”

Cassie Gevry, associate director, and Kathy Kinnarney, program coordinator, of the Ciocca Center, share that he will be missed for his leadership, support, and friendship over the years. Students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni should continue to connect with the Ciocca Center through these contacts.

The College community wishes David a happy and healthy retirement!

- Share your good wishes for his retirement on the Kudobard.

Read the announcement in the Holy Cross Magazine and the interview by Conor Joslin ’23 on the blog.

April 7, 2022

Conor O’Reilly ’18 Reflects on the Holy Cross Advantage

Conor O’Reilly ’18 – psychology major
Account Executive, Oracle NetSuite
Interviewed by Ciocca Center intern, Conor Joslin ’23

“You have to recognize that you have an advantage. Having gone through that major and learning all of those essential skills is a benefit that not a lot of people get to learn through their college education if they’re not going to a school like Holy Cross”.

Please share a bit about your background, where you’re from, and why you decided to attend Holy Cross?

I am from Andover, MA which is just about thirty minutes north of Boston. Growing up, Holy Cross always had a fantastic reputation. I had toured it one spring day and it was a beautiful sunny day on campus. Students were out and I just kind of felt at home there. So I applied to Holy Cross kind of knowing that was where I wanted to go. I had no idea what I wanted to study at that point in high school, but I knew that it was the place for me. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Can you speak a little bit about what your major was and the impact that it had on your professional career?

Continue reading “Conor O’Reilly ’18 Reflects on the Holy Cross Advantage”

March 31, 2022

Alumn Shares Path from History Major to Tech Sales

Brendan Sullivan ’86 took the time to answer some questions regarding his experiences on the hill and career upon graduation. Brendan was first introduced to Holy Cross by his grandfather, Bill Brennan ’30, and uncle, Jeff Brennan ’60, who both attended Holy Cross as student-athletes. Brendan really wanted to attend an institution with a strong academic reputation and was looking for a college that stood out upon other colleges and universities. His trip to campus, hosted by the football team, solidified his decision to attend Holy Cross due to the experience that he had upon his visit.

“I think studying history and just the entire experience at HC helped me become a much better communicator and gave me insight on what joining the business world would require to be successful” Continue reading “Alumn Shares Path from History Major to Tech Sales”

March 31, 2022

Conor Joslin ’23 Facilitates Alumni Panel for Club Hockey

On Wednesday, March 30, 2022, the Holy Cross Club Hockey team hosted the first-ever Club Hockey alumni panel coordinated by Conor Joslin ’23, intern for the Ciocca Center.

We are so fortunate that Joe Darcy ‘11, economics major, and Matthew Krebs ‘11, political science major, took the time to meet with current Club Hockey players to share their Holy Cross experience and careers in business. Both alumni speakers emphasized the importance of networking and connecting with fellow Holy Cross alumni to achieve success in the business world. Darcy is currently an Investor at IDEA Fund Partners and Krebs is a Director of Operations at Garrison Investment Group. Both provided current players with valuable feedback in regards to using your liberal arts education to your advantage, as it differentiates Holy Cross students from other applicants. By attending a liberal arts education like Holy Cross, students learn to communicate, read, write, analyze, present, and critically think at a very high level that other large business school students may not learn. Furthermore, they talked about the importance of networking and utilizing the Holy Cross alumni network. Holy Cross alumni love helping current students, so it is extremely important to put yourself out there and introduce yourself to multiple alumni. Continue reading “Conor Joslin ’23 Facilitates Alumni Panel for Club Hockey “

December 2, 2021

Lily Droesch ’21 Interview by JP Cunningham ’23

Lily Droesch ’21, merchandising assistant, Macy’s
Holy Cross Studies: Sociology Major, Business Fundamentals Certificate
Interviewed by JP Cunningham ’23

JP: How was your experience as a student at Holy Cross pursuing one of the business certificates?

LD: I had a really good experience. I found the requirements to be a great addition to my courses and only enhanced what I was learning in the classroom.

JP: Was there one workshop, class, professor, club, activity, etc. that has influenced your perspective on the professional world to the greatest extent?

LD: I think that the job shadowing program solidified my decision to pursue a career in fashion because I got to spend the day with alumni and see firsthand what goes on on a day-to-day basis. Continue reading “Lily Droesch ’21 Interview by JP Cunningham ’23”

November 22, 2021

Susan Killilea Coburn ‘92 P24 Advice for Business Career

“The ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and apply a strong work ethic are really key skills when you’re thinking about a career in business.” – Susan Killilea Coburn ‘92 P24

Graduating from Holy Cross in 1992, Susan Coburn recently took the time to reflect on her years before, during, and after her time on the Hill. Due to her initial interest in law and history, she was drawn to the College because it checked all of her boxes, including being a strong liberal arts school, allowing her to major in History and minor in Spanish while also exploring a wide range of subject matter. She is very appreciative of the holistic education Holy Cross provides for students as well as the strong foundation on how to think critically and communicate effectively–two skills that will go a long way in the business world. Susan appreciates the strong alumni network the College has, helping her easily stay in touch with her classmates to this day. She found that the College’s social justice mission has greatly impacted her life and allowed her to gain new perspectives on pressing issues in the world today. Her husband Ed Coburn ‘93 is a JVC alum and an attorney practicing municipal law. She stays in contact with her HC friends, most recently through a group started by her classmates in the Class of ‘92, which acts as a grassroots anti-racism alliance.The group now has over 90 members and focuses on dialogue, understanding and action. She and Ed have two daughters, with their eldest now attending Holy Cross in the Class of 2024.

“I was at Holy Cross for four years, which was an amazing experience, but I would say my connection with Holy Cross since then has been far richer.” Continue reading “Susan Killilea Coburn ‘92 P24 Advice for Business Career”

June 30, 2021

Business and the History Major

“History on the Hill is a new Holy Cross newsletter published by History majors in order to highlight the range of work, experience, and reflections of history majors. It supplements the existing student-run journal, Of Life and History: The Undergraduate History Journal of the College of the Holy Cross. Professor Rupakheti, who played a pivotal role in initiating the journal, is also shepherding this new project. But, unlike the journal, History on the Hill is run by first-year and second-year students. We hope it provides opportunities for history majors to share their experience, knowledge, and reflection on various facets of their academic and non-academic life as history majors. At the same time, we also see this project serving as an information resource for the prospective majors.” – Mission statement from the first edition of the newsletter, written by Dennis Liu ’22 and Holly Tente ’23. Continue reading “Business and the History Major”