Name: Meghan Hanlon
Class Year: 2019
Title: Audit & Assurance Senior
Organization Name: Deloitte & Touche
1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?
My job entails auditing public and private companies to provide reasonable assurance that their financial statements are presented fairly, in all material respects.
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?
During my time at Holy Cross, I was able to connect with each of the Big 4 Accounting Firms through the on-campus career fairs, the Women in Business conferences, and on-campus networking events and interviews. Through this exposure, I learned the difference between public and private accounting and decided I was interested in pursuing a career in public accounting. I thought it would be interesting to learn about all aspects of multiple clients. I interned at Deloitte during the summer going into my Senior year. I worked on three engagements during my internship in three different industries: Life Science & Health Care, Education, and Energy & Resources. After my internship, I decided I wanted to pursue a career in Audit in the Life Science & Health Care industry. Now in my third year at Deloitte, I can confidently say I made the right choice about the firm and industry I chose. I am constantly learning about new accounting areas and transactions through my role in Audit & Assurance. Additionally, I have learned a tremendous amount about the development of drugs, the FDA approval process, and the impact that these companies are making on the lives of patients.
3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?
While on campus, I was a Tour Guide and Tour Guide Coordinator, a Working for Worcester Site Manager, a Tutor at Nativity School of Worcester, and a member of Autism Awareness.
4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?
I was an accounting major at Holy Cross. I knew I wanted to go into an accounting role, whether it was at a public accounting firm or at a company. Through the various networking opportunities on Campus, I decided I wanted to work for a Big 4 Accounting Firm after graduation. My professors were extremely helpful in the decision making process and gave insights to their experience working at Public Accounting Firms.
5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?
While at Holy Cross I developed my writing and communication skills through the non-accounting major courses that I took. I use communication skills while talking to clients and teammates each day. Additionally, Holy Cross taught me how to articulate my thoughts in a concise manner, which helps me to explain issues I encounter to my teammates, managers, partners and clients. Furthermore, Holy Cross taught me how to stay organized with my class materials and study schedule. A large part of my job is project planning and management, so organization is a valuable skill.
6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?
Utilize the Holy Cross alumni network to learn about various industries, experiences and opportunities. Holy Cross Alumni helped me decide what I wanted to pursue for a career, while I was still in college, and the alumni network remains relevant in my post-graduate life. I am constantly making connections with Holy Cross alumni at Deloitte and at other companies. The Holy Cross Alumni network is an invaluable resource that we are all lucky to have connections to and I plan to stay connected to many alumni for the rest of my life.
