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

October 1, 2024

Leveraging a Liberal Arts Education: Sean Mullaney ’20 on Building a Career in Real Estate

I was given the opportunity to have a conversation with Holy Cross alumni Sean Mullaney ‘20, a distinct graduate of Holy Cross who’s career is a testament to taking advantage of his liberal arts education to pursue a successful career in the Real Estate Investment industry.

Sean began his professional career by landing an internship role at a prestigious brokerage firm, Newmark, going into his Junior year at the college. That Summer, Sean worked as a part of the Capital Markets team in London. The following Summer, Sean stayed with Newmark where he was a Leasing Intern in New York City. Following his graduation from Holy Cross, Sean took a job with Brookwood Financial Partners, LLC, where he worked on Acquisitions as well as Asset management. In January of 2021, Sean took a new role at a leading pure-play commercial real estate investment management firm, Clarion Partners. The Firm is headquartered in New York with a presence in major markets across the United States and Europe. After about eleven months with the company, Sean was promoted to Senior Analyst, his current role.

Sean accredited Holy Cross to much of the success he has had in his early professional career. He spoke extremely highly of the Holy Cross alumni network and explained the importance of utilizing that to your advantage when looking to begin your career: “People from Holy Cross are more than willing to help. If you don’t reach out, someone else will.” Taking initiative was another thing Sean pressed on during our conversation. Getting out there and taking advantage of everything that Holy Cross has to offer is not something you can take for granted.

“People from Holy Cross are more than willing to help. If you don’t reach out, someone else will.”

Communication and the skill to build and maintain relationships are two of the more important aspects of a liberal arts education. Sean talks about how real estate is a people-driven industry, and he has found his liberal arts education to suit him very well in this profession: “Being a man and woman for others. Thinking impactfully. Being a server and a leader. Doing things for the good of doing things, not just for the benefit of yourself.” He goes on to say how he found these traits were often carried by a majority of the students at Holy Cross.

Written by Kevin Birenbaum ’26

February 29, 2024

Student Highlight: Nico Corporon ’26

My name is Nico Corporon and I am a current second year Political Science major pursuing a business certificate in business fundamentals and entrepreneurship. During my time at Holy Cross, I have engaged in a diverse set of activities, including membership in HC Launch, Finance Club, Men’s Club Hockey, and serving as an exam proctor. Most recently, I will be taking up the opportunity to serve as an intern for the Ciocca Center this spring semester.

My involvement with the Ciocca Center has been incredibly transformative so far. Through HC Launch, I collaborated with a local Worcester startup named Multiscale Systems, contributing to a complex research project focused on the manufacturing of Gen IV Natrium Reactors. This eight-month project provided me with the opportunity to delve into the nuclear energy sector, engage one on one with C-Suite executives, and produce a comprehensive research document piling over one hundred pages in length.

Additionally, the Ciocca Center has served as a platform for honing my skills through participation in business competitions, similar to the recent Innovation Challenge hosted by Sideline Swap. Looking ahead to this upcoming internship, my focus will be on enhancing student involvement in Ciocca Center events, fostering greater engagement on social media, and connecting with alumni to produce insights into maximizing not only my potential within the Ciocca Center, but the rest of my Holy Cross peers.

I am very grateful for what has come through my involvement in the Ciocca Center thus far, and look forward to what lies ahead!

March 27, 2023

WIB Hosts Fiona Boyle ’21 to Share Female Finance Experience

On March 22, 2023, the Women in Business Club hosted an alumna speaker, Fiona Boyle ’21. She shared her experience of being a female in the finance industry. Read more to hear takeaways from the audience, written by Olivia Evans ’23.

Fiona Boyle graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in the spring of 2021. She was an Economics major and Art History minor. Upon graduation, Fiona had to navigate the new world that COVID had created for society when it came to the search for a job. During her senior year at Holy Cross, she connected with an HC alumnus on LinkedIn. Later that year, the same alumnus posted a job opening on LinkedIn for a position at a start-up company in Fintech named Mirador. Fiona then reached back out to the alumnus, applied for the job, and later ended up getting an offer and accepting the job. Mirador is now a six-year-old company.

Fiona shared her day-to-day responsibilities at Mirador. Essentially, she creates financial reports for ultra-high-net-worth individuals; therefore, she is responsible for tracking portfolio performance data and building reports to help clients view and understand their assets. Fiona mentioned that Mirador has an excellent onboarding training program for new employees that many refer to as “Mirador University.”

Furthermore, Fiona wanted the audience of the presentation to leave with three main takeaways. Continue reading “WIB Hosts Fiona Boyle ’21 to Share Female Finance Experience”

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.

September 10, 2022

Colman Benson ’24: Ciocca Center Intern

My name is Colman Benson ‘24 and I am a junior at Holy Cross majoring in political science with a Certificate in Finance and Banking. Through the Academic Internship Program I am taking the class Policy and Politics: The Midterm Elections, taught by Tim Bishop and Peter Flaherty while I am working for the Ciocca Center for Business, Ethics, and Society to fulfill my internship requirement for the Certificate. Throughout the semester I will be interviewing faculty and alumni to highlight their different career paths in the business world. I will also demonstrate how their liberal arts education and the values of Holy Cross have guided them through their respective business careers.

Towards Certificate completion, I have completed several workshops including Fullbridge, Interview Prep, Banking Ethics and Corporate Finance and Banking in addition to the Excel Tutorial. I have been able to gain fundamental knowledge and useful business skills through my participation in the Ciocca Center workshops. During the Fullbridge Professional Edge Program I worked on a team to study the data and finance metrics of our company along with its competitors to develop a growth strategy throughout a fast-paced simulated work week. We pitched our final project to a panel of mock investors to show how our new product could penetrate the market and provide growth for our company. This workshop was very beneficial as it gave me the opportunity to solve a problem with my teammates and pitch our solution, including how and why our new product would increase our company’s revenue. The Corporate Finance and Banking Workshop has given me an insight into some of the top firms in the industry including Natixis and Wellington, asset management firms. I have been able to grow my connections and foster relationships with Holy Cross alumni that I have met at these firms through the workshop.

I am very excited to continue expanding my alumni network and to learn more about their experiences in the business world. I believe this will give me a great opportunity to enter the field of finance in the future.

Check out the following faculty and alumni interviews:

Ciocca Center Announces New Director in the College Street Journal

February 9, 2022

Ciocca Intern: Conor Joslin ’23

My name is Conor Joslin and I am currently a junior at Holy Cross majoring in Political Science while pursuing a Certificate in Business Fundamentals.

This semester, I am interning at the Ciocca Center for Business, Ethics and Society while taking the course Business of Sport with Doctor Robert Prior as a part of the Academic Internship Program, a requirement for the Business Certificate Program.

Throughout this semester I will be connecting and interviewing various Holy Cross alumni to learn about different career paths and how each used their liberal arts education to succeed in the business world. Through the Business Certificate Program at Holy Cross, the multiple workshops I have completed, and the variety of clubs, there is such a vast network of successful alumni that I am eager to connect with. On a more personal level, I am very interested in the sales industry, along with some interest in real estate, which is why I am so fortunate for this opportunity to connect with so many brilliant alumni and learn about different career paths.

Take a look at these interviews by Conor!

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”

October 10, 2021

Ciocca Intern: JP Cunningham ’23

My name is JP Cunningham ‘23 and I am a junior at Holy Cross majoring in International Studies, with a thematic focus of International Political Economy and a regional focus of Europe. I am also in the process of pursuing my Certificate in Business Fundamentals, having completed the Excel Tutorial and the Fullbridge Program and Global Supply Chain Management (GSCM) workshop. So far, my experience with the Ciocca Center has been very enlightening in helping me gain real-world business experience. For example, the Fullbridge Professional Edge Program was a very exciting, fast-paced workshop that allowed me to put myself in a realistic office-like environment and work with a team on a growth opportunity for a specific company. In addition, the GSCM workshop provided an in-depth look at the many components of the global supply chain as well as the opportunities to meet with different supply chain managers, including a site visit to the Polar Beverages manufacturing warehouse right here in Worcester. This workshop was very interesting given the many complexities and relevant issues within the supply chain in today’s post-pandemic climate.

Through the Academic Internship Program, I am taking the course Sports Marketing & Sponsorship with Dr. Robert Prior while I am interning in the Ciocca Center for Business, Ethics, & Society for the internship requirement. Throughout the semester, I will be conducting interviews with alumni to shed light on their various career paths and stories throughout their professional careers while tying the liberal arts to the business world. I think this will be a great opportunity for me to explore different fields of business and expand on different skills. I am hoping to get my foot in the door of the business and finance world in the coming months and am excited to see where this unique opportunity takes me.

JP Cunningham ’23 interviewed several alumni for the internship:

September 21, 2021

Experiential Learning at Holy Cross

My name is Mackenzie Madden and I am a senior economics and psychology double major participating in the Business Fundamentals Certificate Program here at Holy Cross. Through my time at Holy Cross and through the Ciocca Center, I have felt the power of a liberal arts education while understanding the ways this type of education prepares students for business roles. I am actively searching for jobs within finance and consulting before graduating this spring. I am confident that I will be ready to work these jobs after the preparation the Ciocca Center has provided for me. From Fullbridge to the Global Supply Chain workshop to job shadowing and internship opportunities, the Ciocca Center has ensured that all students are exposed to business industries early on in their college career and gain exposure to the alumni network. Continue reading “Experiential Learning at Holy Cross”