Name: Mariah Healy
Class Year: 2015
Title: Director of Federal Affairs
Organization: New England Council
1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?
I represent the interests of the New England business community on Capitol Hill, specifically as it relates to Higher Education and Technology issues.
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?
My first job out of college was as an AmeriCorps Volunteer with City Year. My service through SPUD definitely influenced my decision to want to do service after college, and knowing other HC alumni who had done City Year inspired my decision to apply. I enjoyed learning the policy aspects of the work I was doing which then led me to go to graduate school and ultimately end up in a policy role in DC.
3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?
I was a Senator At-Large, a SPUD Program Director, a Class Agent, on the Class Gift Committee, and on Phoneathon. I am currently on the HCAA Board of Directors.
4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?
Political Science was my major which definitely impacted my career choice. While I was also a part of the Pre-Law Society, I pursued a track more policy focused for my career. Learning the policies and procedures of the US Legislative system paved the way for my interest in later influencing policy makers on their decisions.
5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?
The communication skills I learned at Holy Cross had a major impact on my ability to write and express thoughts concisely and accurately. Having the ability to synthesize the priorities of an industry in a 15 min meeting with a legislative staffer is a learned skill, however my classes at Holy Cross taught me how to pick out the important details. Additionally, the compassion from leading with Jesuit Values is a skill that I also take to my work every day. People focused policy making is how we can reach bipartisan consensus on many polarizing issues.
6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?
Stay connected with your Holy Cross peers. The network that we have is unique and a great way to network both professionally and personally. My closest friends are still people I met freshman year and the first people I meet with in DC are usually those who are flagged as HC alum or current students.
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 think understanding the appropriate ways to use AI is vital in an industry that involves a lot of face to face time and communication. I also do not use it in my day to day work, personally. I encourage young people to not rely on it for research or writing but to use it as a tool instead and to be fastidious in making sure it is accurate. AI can be a great asset, but should not be the only tool used when putting together research briefs, etc.