Career Development Blog

October 6, 2025

Meet Alumna Marisa Gigliotti ’16, Senior Manager, Business Analytics at Ardelyx

Name: Marisa Gigliotti

Class Year: 2016

Title: Senior Manager, Business Analytics

Organization Name: Ardelyx

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

I serve as the brand analytics lead for one of our commercialized drugs and am the point person for any data and reporting needs related to this brand.

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?

After Holy Cross, I attended the ESTEEM Master’s Program at the University of Notre Dame, where I was able to couple my math degree with entrepreneurial and business skills. While at Notre Dame, I attended a career fair on campus where I came upon the AbbVie booth. After becoming ill with an autoimmune disease my sophomore year of college, I had a keen interest in joining the biopharmaceutical industry and be part of an industry where patients are the utmost priority, and AbbVie seemed like the perfect fit for me to begin my career. I joined AbbVie as an information technology leadership development program member where I participated in 3 8-month long rotations across the company, which allowed we to grow my analytical skills while learning about so many different facets of the business.

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

I was a member of the women’s varsity golf team and served as captain my junior and senior years. I was a member of the mathematics student academic advisory committee and also served as a math tutor.

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

I was a math major. I always have had an interest in working with numbers and this field of study greatly helped build my critical thinking and analytical skills. Given the growth of big data and analytics, I felt that this could be a perfect fit after graduating in order to be part of an industry that is continuously growing while also leveraging my math background.

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

The first is analytical thinking. I work with numbers everyday and have to report those numbers to our internal teams. Each team interprets data in different ways so it is not only essential to make sure you have the correct data, but also ensure that the way the data is presented, communicated, and visualized makes sense to the consumers of the data. The second is time management. Adhering to the academic rigor as well as the demands of being a student athlete at Holy Cross was challenging, but taught me so much about how to handle busy schedules.

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

Keep an open mind. I was part of the 3-2/4-2 pre-engineering program and was headed to Columbia after Holy Cross until I learned about the ESTEEM Program at Notre Dame and decided to pursue that instead. As someone who planned to move back to New York after graduation, I never expected to move to Indiana and then Chicago when I took the job at AbbVie, and I am so grateful for all those experiences that Holy Cross connected me with.

October 6, 2025

Meet Alumna Jacqueline Snyder ’25, Analyst at Lloyds Bank

Name: Jacqueline Snyder

Class Year: 2025

Title: Analyst

Organization Name: Lloyds Bank

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

My job gives me the opportunity to experience 4 different areas of corporate banking, where Excel and PowerPoint are very prevalent as I analyze financial data and market trends and support senior bankers across various business lines during my rotational program.

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?

To be honest, I didn’t have a ton of prior knowledge about the recruiting process for finance my sophomore year, so when I started seeing me peers had accepted IB internships in the Winter of 2023 for the Summer of 2024, I went into panic mode. I thought IB was what I wanted to do because naively, that was all I really knew about finance at the time. When I realized I was behind on that recruiting timeline, I noticed the Lloyds application was still open and decided to apply. That turned out to be the best blessing in disguise. While 19 year old me thought that IB was my calling, 22 year old me knows that I would not have enjoyed it in the long run. Instead, Lloyds gave me a chance to step into a rotational analyst program where I could explore different areas of finance that I hadn’t been exposed to before, and I’m so grateful that I was offered the full-time rotational analyst position at Lloyds following the internship. What initially felt like a missed opportunity actually became the exact redirection I needed. I realized Lloyds was the right fit for me because of the culture of the bank and how the role enables me to combine the things I love – the analytical side of numbers and the people side of engaging in conversations and building relationships.

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

I was on the women’s soccer team, a member of Alpha Sigma Nu and the Economics Honors Program, I worked for the Economics Department as a grader, and I volunteered for Big Brother Big Sister and Working for Worcester,.

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

I chose Economics as my major because I came into Holy Cross knowing I wanted to eventually work in finance. While my classes didn’t dictate the exact career path I would take, they gave me a strong foundation in how markets and economies operate on a global scale. That perspective has been really valuable during the short time I’ve already grown in my career.

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

One of the biggest skills I took from Holy Cross was how I analyze and question things. My economics classes sharpened the way I analyze problems and look for patterns, but it wasn’t just econ, it was the variety of courses outside my major that pushed me to see things from alternative perspectives. That mix in the curriculum taught me not to get stuck in one way of thinking, and that’s something I use every day in my work. Additionally, and I think most importantly, I appreciate Holy Cross’s focus on developing the whole person. It wasn’t just about academics, it was about how you engage with people, how you listen, and how you form meaningful relationships. Those experiences have shaped the way I work with others and approach conversations, which has been just as important as any technical skill I’ve learned.

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

I would network with alumni as much as possible. That’s how I learned more about finance and about the internship role I was applying to at Lloyds. In my opinion, our alumni network is one of the best aspects of Holy Cross and I have found it to be an amazing asset. Personally, I found Holy Cross alumni in fields that I was interested in through LinkedIn and reached out to them to set up a call. In hindsight, those conversations taught me more about finance and the process of getting a job than any of the research I tried to do on my own.

7. What are your thoughts on how AI has impacted or will impact your industry? What advice do you have for students as they prepare to enter a professional world where AI is prevalent?

Everyone is implementing AI into their daily work, regardless of the industry, so learning how to use it to your advantage has become a staple in the workplace. I would recommend familiarizing yourself with it sooner rather than later. Learn how to build models through it that can help you to expedite the speed at which you get work done. I haven’t seen AI replace many jobs in my 2 months in the workforce so far, but it is definitely being used to automate some day-to-day tasks.

October 6, 2025

Meet Alum Frank Bergin ’91, President at Jovial Foods, Inc

Name: Frank Bergin

Class Year: 1991

Title: President

Organization Name: Jovial Foods, Inc

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?
I oversee all aspects of an all-organic, premium, better-for-you Italian food company.

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 became a Naval Officer after graduating from Holy Cross. That leadership training along with the liberal arts education led me to choose a marketing / general management path after I left the Navy.

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?
NROTC, Intramurals, campus ministry.

4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?
History/Pre-Med – being able to analyze and clearly and compellingly communicate patterns and insights gleaned from history has unquestionably made me a stronger marketer and leader.

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

6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?In my experience, it is the exception and not the rule that a student’s major coming out of Holy Cross dictates in what field they will have success in the future. Soak up as many diverse opportunities to learn and get involved during your time at Holy Cross and stress less about having the perfect resume.

Also, there are so many Crusaders out in the world who are ready to help you. Make it a priority to get good at networking while in school – it is a skill that will serve you well for many moons to come.

September 9, 2025

Meet Alum Peter Oliver ’22, Medical Assistant at Orthopedic Associates of Marlboro

Name: Peter Oliver

Class Year: 2022

Title: Medical Assistant

Organization Name: Orthopedic Associates of Marlboro (OAM)

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?
Rooming patients, assisting with office procedures, answering phone calls and assisting with insurance authorizations.

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 developed an interest in musculoskeletal medicine while playing football in undergrad. I needed patient/clinical experiences and OAM was the perfect place to make this happen.

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?
Varisty Football, Chapel Choir, Spanish Club, LASO

4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?
Chemistry and Spanish. I use Spanish daily in clinic.

5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?
Critical thinking, interpersonal competencies, and Spanish fluency.

6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?
SHADOW PEOPLE!! This is the only way you can truly understand what the day to day life is like in a certain profession. Otherwise, it is just words on paper.

7. What are your thoughts on how AI has impacted or will impact your industry? What advice do you have for students as they prepare to enter a professional world where AI is prevalent?
I am very excited about AI in medicine. Not only will it advance biotechnology, it will also make a physician’s life easier when it comes to charting and insurance approvals. It will also be a good consultant.

September 5, 2025

Meet Alum Chad Cook ’95, CTO at AlphaSimplex Group

Name: Chad Cook

Class Year: 1995

Title: CTO

Organization Name: AlphaSimplex Group

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?
I lead technology in software-driven, quantitative trading and finance.

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 entered Holy Cross without knowing that my hobby of using computers and technology would become a career. By way of observation and word of mouth, people engaged me to help with various technology work and projects, and I eventually worked with the HC Information Technology Services department doing all types of exciting projects. I realized this was my future. The Holy Cross ITS group welcomed me and I was a sponge learning from them. I love helping others and technology is a true service environment. Everything we do is in support of others and something broader than ourselves. This aligns with my general life approach and our Holy Cross ideals. The experiences I had helped me get into my first employer, and this human-focused approach has enabled me to do a lot of helpful work through my career.

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?
Aside from academics, primarily technology across various departments. I spent the rest of my non-study/work time with friends or on one of the systems learning and exploring. I also studied classical guitar in the music department and did some of the student performances while I was there.

4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?
I started with Psychology because the mind and its thought processes are interesting, with no idea what I wanted to do for a career. After taking a Sociology course, the relationship between the two – individual mind to organizational, cultural, and societal structure was really interesting, so added that as a second major. At the time, there was no major for Computer Science, but I took all the available courses and was able to craft some individual study classes with the Math department to have a personal concentration in that area. I questioned switching to an engineering school halfway through my time at HC, but chose to stay. It was the best decision, and within the first week of my first job I realized how important human understanding is. I have made this a large part of my approach with technology — connecting with people, understanding business, operations, and how each person thinks and operates has been a differentiator that has given me a lot of opportunity to do exciting work throughout my career.

5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?
Holy Cross allowed me to have a diverse set of experiences and through that, to cultivate the natural curiosity I have to keep learning and trying new things. The education around people and environments through my majors gave me a foundation for what has been a life-long approach for building, helping, and growing organizations with a focus on teams, culture, and technology. Recognition of each person’s unique gifts and an openness to learning is extremely important not only to work and career, but to life generally.

6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?
Find your passion – work is much more enjoyable when you are able to do what you love, and it makes it easy to weather the inevitable tough times that will occur in life. Introspect – understand your own thoughts, feelings, and reactions to explore how your own mind works in various situations. This allows us some space to be with our arising feelings and see how we react before acting. We can then more easily recognize how others may be similar, and engage with them for positive outcomes.

7. What are your thoughts on how AI has impacted or will impact your industry? What advice do you have for students as they prepare to enter a professional world where AI is prevalent?
AI is still at an early stage and developing. It has amazing potential to help us learn new things, become more efficient, and to be creative. I have no doubt that it will become part of everyone’s careers. My recommendations are: learn how to use it, understand its capabilities and limits relative to your industry or career, and consider how it can be used to do things in new ways as opposed to replicating how we do things today.

September 5, 2025

Meet Alumna Baker Earl ’19, Internal Client Advisor at JP Morgan Asset Management

Name: Baker Earl

Class Year: 2019

Title: Internal Client Advisor

Organization Name: JP Morgan Asset Management

1.In one sentence, what does your job entail?
Working in Tandem with my external partner in the consulting and sales of my firm’s products (Mutual Funds, ETFs, Alternative investments etc.) as well as providing market and portfolio insights from our team at JP Morgan, to our clients.

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?
When I graduated, my first job out of college was in a completely different industry (tech recruitment). I knew I wanted to be in finance and after 2020, I decided to make the career switch to what I’ve always wanted to do. And worked to get my finance certifications, and started my first job in the financial services industry as a Client Service Analyst at another Asset Management firm before coming over to JP Morgan.

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?
Women’s Lacrosse team, SAAC, and the Fullbridge business program.

4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?
Political Science- I liked the relevance of the current events aspect of Political Science and think it’s incredibly applicable to what I do now, keeping up with what’s going on in the markets daily, and how it affects us, and our clients.

5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?
Preparation, teamwork and collaboration, and communication.

6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?
It’s never too late to make a switch, if you want to change your career path go for it! If you put in the work it will pay off. And use your Holy Cross network. Every HC alum I’ve met in my professional life has always been so excited and willing to help, and have a networking conversation. The Holy Cross community is something that is incredibly unique and special, use it to your advantage!

September 5, 2025

Meet Alumna Karina Camargo ’16, Senior Manager, Ad Sales Marketing at Fubo

Name: Karina Camargo

Class Year: 2016

Title: Senior Manager, Ad Sales Marketing

Organization Name: Fubo

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

I lead the creation and management of on-brand ad sales marketing collateral, RFP responses, Google Slides presentations, social media strategy (especially on LinkedIn), and campaign coordination to drive ad sales growth and support the sales team through compelling design, messaging, and performance tracking.

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?

After attending one of the Women in Business conferences, I cold-emailed one of the alumni attendees who told me about the NBCU Page Program. I applied and was accepted and that was how I broke into the media/entertainment industry officially which led to my first full-time employer after Holy Cross. I was hired full-time at NBCUniversal in the Hispanic Group as a Marketing Coordinator, Network Partnerships for Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes, and Universo. The Page Program was the perfect way for me to learn and decide if media/entertainment was a good fit for me because it allowed me to experience assignments in different departments to explore what I might like.

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

LASO, Dance Marathon, FLA Program Cultural Liaison, Summer Orientation Leader, Odyssey, and The Crusader.

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

Spanish/German double and it affected my decision to launch my career in Hispanic media/Spanish-language television (working for Telemundo)

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

Organizational and project management skills, as well as attention to detail.

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

Build a strong foundation in marketing and media through internships and by taking classes that Holy Cross offers related to this and your passions. For example, my senior year I took Persuasive Communication (the closest thing to a marketing course offered at the time) which required an internship and I landed an internship at Univision Boston for that course. I also did an independent study on Music Business because the material interested me personally, given my passion for music and I was able to tweak it towards the areas of Latin music and digital media. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box for your coursework!

April 9, 2025

Meet Alum Earl Bueno ’93, Attending Anesthesiologist (MD) at Woodland Anesthesiology Associates

Name: Earl Bueno

Class Year: 1993

Organization Name: Woodland Anesthesiology Associates

Title: Attending Anesthesiologist (MD)

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

I am an MD specializing in Anesthesiology, working in the hospital and ambulatory settings.

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 attended medical school after completing the pre-medical program (Biology major) at Holy Cross. Through HC’s externship program, I was able to work at UMass Medical Center as a 4th year student, and that experience reaffirmed my interest in a medical career.

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

SPUD, intramural sports, Eucharistic minister, student life (RA), work study (Biology department TA)

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

Biology – great foundation of study for a career in medicine/academic research.

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

Critical thinking (able to read and analyze scietific/medical publications) and public speaking skills (chairman of Department of Anesthesiology, advocacy on state and federal level, board of directors for hospital groups and medical/professional organizations.

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

Connect with alumni in the field you are interested to reaffirm your interest in that career path. There is nothing wrong in realizing that the fit is not there, but the sooner you figure it out, the better it is for realigning your plans.

April 9, 2025

Meet Alum Joe Ciccone, MD ’97, Chief of Urologic Surgery at Optum MA

Name: Joe Ciccone, MD

Class Year: 1997

Organization Name: Optum MA

Title: Chief of Urologic Surgery

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

Caring for patients with both surgical and non-surgical conditions of the urinary system in men and women.

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?

Through a family connection I met Noelle Lawler, a PA at what was then Harvard Vanguard’s Fenway office. As a starving art student, she gave me a job as a medical assistant when I was about 21 and the rest was history.

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

Football, Track, Improv Comedy, and was an English Major with a concentration on writing (poetry).

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

My English major led me to graduate school at Emerson College. This experience was enough to know that a career as a writer was not for me.

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

Certainly writing and communication are major skills for a surgeon and department leader. Mostly, I learned how to challenge myself intellectually and physically. Both of these skills allowed me to succeed in medical school and residency while managing a young family.

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

Play the slow game. Take classes across multiple disciplines and become well-rounded and maximally enriched. Do not feel pressured to get into medical school as soon as humanly possible. Enjoy the ride. Travel. Be with friends.

April 9, 2025

Meet Alum Nicholas Fasano ’14, Director, Government & Community Relations at Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Name: Nicholas Fasano

Class Year: 2014

Organization Name: Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Title: Director, Government and Community Relations

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

I am the main point of contact for all Federal, State, Local elected officials and municipalities on Long Island and in parts of NYC.

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?

HC did not really factor into connecting me with my current employer but it did equip me with the tools of discernment necessary to determine that being here is a good fit for me!

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

Rugby, Study Abroad, SPUD, Communion Ministry

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

History. I had a general sense that I wanted to work in Government but I think my major in History gave me a broad understanding of the impact government’s have on how societies succeed and fail.

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

Time management and critical thinking.

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

Take advantage of everything that HC has to offer! College is a time for discovery and the best way to do that is by trying new things that you will almost certainly not have the opportunity to get involved in after school!