Name: Pat Burpee
Class Year: 2017
Title: Equity Sales Trader
Organization Name: KeyBanc Capital Markets
In one sentence, what does your job entail?
I trade domestic stocks for hedge funds.
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 had a few job offers throughout my senior year but none felt like the right fit, so I actually graduated unemployed. I continued interviewing around the Boston area (where I’m from) and received another offer. I was ready to accept the new proposal, but in the middle of July a HC classmate mentioned an opening within KeyBanc’s Los Angeles office. I put all my eggs in one basket and went for it. I interviewed a handful of times with KeyBanc, and accepted an offer by early September. Essentially it was the perfect storm of events and I am fortunate it all worked out. I have been with KeyBanc since October ’17.
What were you involved in when you were on campus?
Varsity Golf & Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?
Economics; I wanted to work in finance after college and figured the economics major provided the best route to ensure employment within that industry.
What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?
Definitely the ability to quickly digest and discern information. HC is not an easy school and there are nights when you are overwhelmed with work. Similarly, there are times during the work day when the stock market is hectic and volatile. Being able to decide what details are important and what items are extraneous is critical when talking to clients. I guess I honed those skills with four years of practice in Dinand.
What advice do you have for students on campus today?
A lot of my friends graduated with job security, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t freaking out come May. If you’re one of those individuals who’s still looking for a job come the spring or summer, just know that it’ll all work out. I recommend using the HC alumni network as much as possible. I have never encountered an alum who didn’t have 5 minutes to spare for a fellow Crusader.
