Author: Arica Clauson

Copywriter Intern at Olympus Scientific Solutions

By: Katie Flanagan ’19

 

I love writing. I love finding the perfect combination of words and that moment of inspiration when the words seemingly flow seamlessly from your fingers, a veritable freight train of thought. So last year, I went into my internship search for the summer of 2018 with one single thought: “This is my last summer before graduation. This is the summer I need to figure out what I want to do with my life, so whatever internship I do has to be perfect.” I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do when I graduated from Holy Cross in 2019 (eek!), but knew that I wanted to write.

 

After applying to a multitude of internships in marketing and publishing, I was offered a position as the Copywriter Intern at Olympus Scientific Solutions America in Waltham, MA. If the name “Olympus” sounds familiar, maybe you’ve used one of their cameras or interned at a hospital that used their equipment. Even though I didn’t really know exactly what I would be doing as a copywriter, or what I would be writing about, I was both nervous and excited to start my first “real” marketing internship.

 

My first day arrives, and after the compulsory HR paperwork and meetings, I meet with my manager, Phil. My first meeting with Phil instantly calmed my nerves. Having never taken a marketing course, I was worried I would be woefully unprepared and had the irrational fear that my new employers would realize just how unfit I believed myself to be for this internship. Meeting with Phil proved to me how wrong I was. He showed me that a marketing or business degree, though important, can be useless if you can’t communicate, if you can’t write. We bonded over our mutual love of puns and enthusiasm for the Oxford comma (it’s important, people!), and then I was set to work.

 

My first assignment was to write a blog post. The post was going to be used as part of an upcoming marketing campaign, and all I had to do was make sure to highlight our products. Simple enough, right?

 

Wrong.

 

The topic for my first blog post was glass recycling. Now, I don’t know about you, but I knew nothing about glass recycling. I had a vague idea that the colors needed to be separated, but other than that? Nothing. And so started my research.

 

Throughout the summer, I wrote over twenty-five blog posts that followed this same pattern. I would have to write a topic I knew nothing about, do an immense amount of research, then write what was essentially a two page persuasive paper that somehow tied in one of our products. I wrote about topics like the aforementioned glass recycling, airplane safety, car manufacturing, bridge safety inspections, and so many more. I also edited blog posts written by engineers and product managers, and application notes that had been translated from Japanese and French to English about antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (now say that 5 times fast!).

 

Now, I should mention, I’m an English major. The last science course I took was in high school, and I’m a senior in college now. My scientific knowledge is limited, and I’m an English major for a reason—science is not my favorite subject. In my internship, I was writing and researching scientific topics every day. To me, the topics I was writing about and editing for were the very last thing I found interesting.

 

And that brings me to my main point: what I learned this summer. Because this post is already long (I’m an English major, what can I say?), I’ll try to be succinct:

 

Don’t blind yourself to opportunities by looking for the “perfect” internship

Copywriting was not even on my radar before this summer, and now I’m actively looking for copywriting jobs for graduation

 

It’s okay to not exactly love what you’re doing, as long as you’re learning

I did not enjoy the content of what I was writing about, but I loved learning about copywriting. I loved using my creative writing skills in a marketing environment, and I found a strange amount of joy in editing others’ work.

I learned that copywriting is something I actually would like to do upon graduation

And if you’re not crazy about pursuing a job in the same field as your internship, at least now you know that it’s not something you want to work towards

 

A liberal arts education is invaluable

I know, I know. You’ve heard this so many times before, why am I saying this again? Humor me. When I thanked Phil and Hilary (the director of the Marketing/Communications team) at the end of the summer for taking a chance on an intern with absolutely no marketing experience or classes, they said hiring me was a no-brainer, because I could actually write. I could communicate my ideas, something a liberal arts education requires. By requiring me to take classes outside of my major, Holy Cross gave me the critical thinking skills and communication skills students who only take business classes or only take biology courses lack. And that’s what makes us as Holy Cross and liberal arts students stand out.

 

 

1. Tell us about where you are interning and the kind of work you are doing.

 

This summer, I am a data and research intern at The Ana Grace Project (AGP) in New Britain, CT.  The AGP was born out of the tragedy at Sandy Hook School on December 14, 2012 that took Ana Grace Marquéz-Greene’s life.  Her mother, Nelba Marquéz-Greene, started The AGP to remember her daughter by promoting love, community, and connection for every child and family. Shortly after the tragedy, the Marquéz-Greene family adopted the slogan “Love Wins” which serves as the name for their three lead initiatives: Love Wins partner schools, professional development, and music & arts. At The AGP, I am a data and research intern. In this role, I collect data from Love Wins programs and the State Department of Education as well as write research manuscripts to display the impact of the Love Wins programs on elementary school students, teachers, and administrators in New Britain, CT. Additionally, I have also been able to contribute to the Ana Grace Project Professional Development and Implementation manual and to a collection of Love Wins therapeutic techniques and curriculum extension activities.

 

2. Give us an example of how you have applied your academic learnings to your internship?

 

As double Psychology and American Sign Language (ASL)/Deaf Studies majors at Holy Cross, I have been exposed to many different research studies and methodologies through my courses. Through this, I became familiar with the format, content, and creation of APA-style manuscripts.  Holy Cross has also provided me with a sufficient knowledge of ethics, especially in data collection and research. This knowledge has helped me substantially while navigating ethical standards, confidentiality, and informed consent. This strong foundation in psychological research from Holy Cross was extremely beneficial in my internship as I was able to “jump right in” to contributing to the in-process manuscripts. In particular, Professor Bukatko’s “Developmental Psychology” course at Holy Cross allowed me to learn about child and adolescent development and how trauma, violence, and emotional dysregulation impact children. The material in this course has been extremely prevalent for my internship. Overall, my academic learnings have been very applicable to my internship.

 

 

Throughout my internship, I was surprised (and excited!) to be included in different organizational, task force, and committee meetings throughout the state. In these meetings, I was able to learn from and connect with prominent individuals within the fields of education, psychology, early intervention, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, and more. These opportunities have also allowed me to see the types of committees and organizations I can be involved with in my future career.

 

4. How is this experience influencing or connecting to your future career plans / goals?

 

As I am pursuing a career in clinical mental health counseling, this research internship is providing me with many beneficial experiences and useful skills that support my future career. Research allows me to witness the effectiveness of certain therapeutic models, techniques, and programs as well as witness current trends in mental health. In addition, my internship location is in a multi-purpose behavioral health agency which allows me to meet individuals in a range of different professions in the field of Psychology. These interactions have provided me with further discernment in my future profession.

 

Bridget Kelly ’18 on the Importance of Networking Events 

Describe your experience at the Healthcare, Medicine & Science Industry Night?

I was unable to attend the Healthcare, Medicine & Science Industry Night but I saw the flyers posted around the Biology building advertising which alumni would be in attendance and some information on their current career.

How did this experience influence or connect to your future career plans/goals?

I recognized a familiar face on the flyers, Heidi Boland. We had Neurobiology together my sophomore year/her senior year and I knew we were both Biology majors and Neuroscience minors. I read on the flyer that she is employed at Mass General Hospital as a Clinical Research Coordinator so I reached out to her as I had been applying for this position in various departments at MGH. She was more than willing to pass on my resume to her superiors, as well as give me incredibly helpful tips for interviews, the job, and post-grad life. I received three interviews from different departments thanks to Heidi and got an amazing job offer from it.

What is some helpful advice you learned from alumnus or the event?

Heidi advised me to send a follow-up email after phone interviews. A few hours after my first phone interview, I followed Heidi’s advice and emailed the hiring manager to say thank you for taking the time to speak with me; she immediately responded with an offer for an in-person interview. She also told me to reach out to any HC alumni and connections I may have for any job opportunities.

Why would you recommend networking and attending the event to other students?

I would recommend networking and attending events put on by the Center for Career Development because I would never have received the opportunity to interview at MGH and ultimately this job offer if I had not reached out to Heidi. I am so grateful to the Center for Career Development for giving me the resources to connect with alumni in my future career field.

by: Nerelly Checo ’18

 

Interviewer: “Do You Have Any Questions?”

First and foremost, when an interviewer asks, “Do you have any questions?”, you most likely feel like

           

             

And your interviewer is just looking at you like:

However, the best thing to do (and probably the last thing you actually want to do) is to ask a question. If you don’t, the interviewer might think that you are disinterested in the position.

The best thing to do is prepare by coming to the interview with a list of questions. Make sure you have more than one question as some might get answered during the interview.

Do not ask about:

• Salary and benefits → This is something you should hold off to until after, especially if this is your first interview with the company.

• Personal life and gossip → Don’t ask about the interviewer’s family or home. In addition, don’t ask about any mutual connections you may have at the company.

• Complicated and multi-part questions → Keep your questions straightforward and quick. You want to make sure the interviewer doesn’t get overwhelmed or bored. Don’t ask questions that are separated into different parts- you can always follow up with an email if you are left with any questions.

• Things you can answer on your own →  It is essential to do your research before going to the job interview. It looks bad if you ask the interviewer something that you could have easily looked up on the company’s website or Google.

According to The Balance, Forbes and The Cut, here are a few questions you should ask:

• • What is a typical day and week like?
  • What are the biggest challenges of this role?
  • Thinking back to people you’ve seen do this work previously, what differentiated the ones who were good from the ones who were really great at it?
  • What are you hoping for your new hire to accomplish in the first three months on the job?
  • What is the history of this role? Is it a new position, or was there someone in the job before?

Make sure to take a deep breath and just relax.

As long as you follow these tips about what NOT to do or ask any of our example questions, you shall be okay. And remember, this is only one part of the interview. You can demonstrate your skills in the other questions- this is not the determining factor of your job (unless you really ask something bad).

Meet Alum Kathleen Corrigan ’12, Manager, Portfolio Construction at Financial Architects Partners

 

Name:  Kathleen Corrigan

Class Year:  2012

Title:  Manager, Portfolio Construction

 

In one sentence, what does your job entail?

Designing large life insurance portfolios for ultra affluent families

 

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 was first exposed to the finance industry through the Holy Cross summer internship program. After my junior year, I completed an internship at an investment banking firm in New York and loved the experience of working in a fast-paced environment with a steep learning curve.  My internship experience affirmed my decision to start my professional career in financial services, though I delayed my starting point by 1 year so that I could volunteer with JVC after graduation.

When I started looking for full time jobs, I tried to find opportunities by leveraging the career center, family, and friends. Since I was planning to move up to Boston, I also decided to enlist the help of a staffing firm, which proved to be a really helpful resource in my search and connected me to my first (and current) employer.  It was through the interview process that I could tell the role and company would be a good fit. The people who interviewed me were really smart and asked tough questions, but the whole process was very conversational and I felt comfortable being myself. That feeling has continued to this day and there has been significant opportunity for growth along the way.

 

What were you involved in when you were on campus?

Purple Key Society, Spring Break Immersion Program

 

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

I was an economics major and enjoyed how the coursework emphasized both quantitative and analytical skills. I wanted to start my career in an area where I could utilize these skills, while also learning how businesses operate, so financial services seemed like a good fit.

 

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

Written and oral communication skills. As an analyst, I was always comfortable with numbers, but the ability to communicate complex ideas in a simple, easy-to-understand way is so important and can set you apart from your peers. Whether it’s an email that you send to a more senior person at your company, or having to explain a technical concept to your client, never underestimate the importance of good communication skills.

 

What advice do you have for students on campus today?

Be involved as much as you can outside of the classroom, and don’t be afraid to try something new!  Holy Cross has so many unique opportunities that you can take advantage of, which might end up being some of your favorite memories.

Meet Alum Alex Bonano ’17, Admissions Associate &  9th Grade Health Teacher at Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School

 

Name: Alex Bonano
Class Year: 2017
Current Title/Employer: Admissions Associate & 9th Grade Health Teacher/Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School


In one sentence, what does your job entail?
It entails providing families with alternative options for their student’s educational future, while also guiding these students academically and personally.

What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross?
Being a graduate of Cristo Rey Boston High School, I understood that if I wanted to participate in a year or two of service if it would have to be for the Cristo Rey Network. I applied for a position at Cristo Rey Manhattan and they gave my information to Cristo Rey Brooklyn. I received a phone call the day of my commencement, just moments before the procession and the rest is history.

 

How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?

I didn’t learn or decide that it was a good fit for me, because it felt like a good fit for me. Visiting the school, meeting with the students and experiencing the sense of community is what made me come to my decision.

What were you involved in when you were on campus?
I participated in a little bit of everything, but these were some of my main leadership positions. I served on the Executive Board of LASO for three years and was the Co-Chair during my second year. Additionally, I served as a Resident Assistant in Alumni Hall and then later as a Student Resident Director for Carlin Hall. Lastly, I was a mentor in the Peer Mentor Program and Writing Fellow for the Writer’s Workshop. I also participated in the Magis program before its discontinuation.

What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?
My major was Latin American & Latinx Studies. It did not really affect my career decisions. I never thought that I would end up in Education and I am not necessarily using what I studied in my job. However, the courses that I took during my time as a LALS major, equipped me with the knowledge to better articulate and comprehend my lived experiences and the experiences of my students that I currently teach and mentor.

What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?
Time allocation and prioritization are two skills that I have developed during my time at HC. Because I have two very distinct positions at my current job, I have to know how to maximize my productivity so that I can utilize my time wisely. This is done by assessing how much time an assignment takes while also making sure to effectively prioritize my tasks. I juggled a lot of different responsibilities while at HC that also had varying time commitments. With that being said, I definitely utilize those skills now.

What advice do you have for students on campus today?
Do not hesitate to make yourself available to opportunities that may not be in your intended industry. Additionally, place an extreme importance on shadowing job sites and also place an importance on first impressions on the employer’s behalf. We often hear as potential employees that we need to have great first impressions, but the same is very much true for employers.