Name: JP Cunningham
Class Year: 2023
Title: Commercial Credit Analyst
Organization Name: Bank of America
1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?
I analyze industry, collateral, and financial trends of clients while partnering with Underwriters, Credit Officers, and Client Managers to evaluate credit risks and formulate loan structure.
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?
Holy Cross has several events to connect students to the financial services industry such as the Corporate Finance & Banking Workshop, the Fullbridge Workshop, and the Global Supply Chain Workshop. I participated in all of these, among others, and think they are awesome resources to allow students to dip their toes into different areas and network with professionals in those areas. Separate from planned events, the Center for Career Development and Ciocca Center for Business, Ethics, and Society are two readily accessible places for students to drop-in for information and general support with any and all steps of career exploration. All of the above were huge helps during my four years as they aided me in choosing which areas I wanted to explore and pursue or rule out as a future entry-level position.
3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?
On campus, I worked as an intern in the Ciocca Center during the fall of ’22 and worked as a PCA in the Center for Career Development during my senior year. I also enjoyed playing intramural sports like soccer and basketball with my friends. In the greater Worcester community, I was involved with Working for Worcester and acted as a Site Manager for two years.
4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?
I majored in International Studies with a thematic focus in International Political Economy & a regional focus on Europe. I really enjoyed how the major requirements allowed me to take courses across departments like Economics, Political Science, Spanish, History, and more. The beauty of the liberal arts education coupled with this major is that it forces you to apply yourself across disciplines and think critically about a wide range of subject matter, two things that have helped me early on in my career.
5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?
Communication, concise writing, and being able to clearly and effectively present both written and verbal ideas/arguments are a few skills I was able to develop at Holy Cross which I use everyday at work.
6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?
Make the most of your time on the Hill and in the city of Worcester because both are special places.