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Meet CrusaderIntern Vanessa Costa ’18

Meet Vanessa Costa ’18 Special Events Intern at Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

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

This summer, I interned at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to the fight to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease affecting 30,000 children and young adults in the United States. I had the privilege of working at the MA/RI chapter of the foundation with an amazing group of dedicated individuals. Throughout my internship, I collaborated with my team and aided in the preparation and production of about six or seven different major fundraising events, some of which I saw through to the end, and others of which are still to come. The majority of my time at my internship was spent on two events, in particular; a weekend-long hiking event in the Berkshires, and a three-course cycling event coming up in October.

My internship projects included recruiting participants and sponsors, attaining donated auction items and local services, preparing mailings, maintaining itemized inventory and organization pre- and post-events, as well as many other tasks. All of the money raised at each of these fundraising events goes toward supporting medical efforts to find a cure for CF, while also allowing the foundation to provide support and resources to CF patients and their families.

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

As a Sociology major, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the diversity of the world and its peoples. I have become more open-minded and understanding as a person, which I have found to be extremely beneficial when interacting with different types of individuals. This proved particularly beneficial during my internship when I had to interact with such individuals as corporate leaders, small business owners, and CF patients and their families.

What has surprised you about being an intern?

It surprised me how willing my coworkers and supervisors were to accept me into their space. I immediately felt like part of the family, like I belonged there. I think that’s why it felt so strange to leave at the end of my internship; I didn’t want it to end.

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

This internship definitely strengthened my desire to make a difference in the world, and it reaffirmed that I had made the right decision by choosing Sociology as my major. I want to help people in the future; help make their lives a little easier and fairer. For that reason, I would really love to pursue a career in social justice or social welfare.

Any internship advice to pass on to other Holy Cross students?

Put yourself out there. Give everything your best shot and don’t shy away from new experiences. You never know who you are going to meet and how much of an impact something or someone might have on your life and your passions.

 
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My Alumni Job Shadowing Experience at Bocoup

Name: Francy Mata
Class Year: 2019
Major: Economics
Shadowing Visit Site: Bocoup

Describe your visit and what did you gain from the experience?

My visit was very helpful for me. In the beginning of the day, I was able to sit down with the alumni and talk about his experience transitioning from Holy Cross to the workplace. One thing I was particularly worried about was finding a job when it came time to graduate. He was able to provide some very helpful tips to overcome some of the problems students face when attempting to find employment. Throughout the rest of the day, I was able to learn about Bocoup and their role in helping other firms with their software needs and desire. All in all, it was a very beneficial experience.

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

One major way this experience influences my future career goals is that software was an industry I was considering getting into prior to my visit. Throughout my visit, I was able to learn what the daily life of an employee in software was like. By gaining this insight I have learned that my perception of what software was like was slightly misaligned to what it actually is. Because of this I have determined that software will not be an industry that I would like to get into when I graduate. I believe this visit will help me greatly in the future since I will have already determined that I will not be looking for employment in software. I will be able to avoid a lot of stress and save an enormous amount of time.

What is some helpful advice your alumni host shared with you?

One piece of advice that he shared was the idea that while academic achievement may be important it is not the only important aspect of the college experience. He encouraged me to find things I enjoy and can keep doing these things even if they are completely unrelated to my field study.

Why would you recommend the Alumni Job Shadowing Program to other students?

The Alumni Job Shadowing Program allowed me to not only be exposed to the professional world of software but it also allowed me to build a meaningful relationship with an alumni that I can draw back on. These reasons made AJSP invaluable.

Want to explore an interest? Consider applying to the Winter Break Alumni Job Shadowing Program and spend the day with an alum. Click the button below to learn more about the application process.
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ALUMNI FEATURE: I Was a Sociology and Spanish Double Major, Now I am a Recruitment Assistant

Name: Adrianna Tomasello ’16
Title: Recruitment Assistant
Organization Name: Edelman

In one sentence, what does your job entail?

I manage the recruitment process for the internship program and entry level hires in the Edelman DC office.

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 came to DC the September after graduating for a three month fellowship in my congresswoman’s office. I did not plan on staying in DC, but I really enjoyed the city and began looking at recruitment and HR entry level opportunities in the area. After starting at Edelman as a recruitment intern in December, I was fortunate enough to be hired into a full time position 6 months later! Public relations was never an industry I had seriously considered. Through my internship, I was able to discover that I enjoy recruiting for PR jobs and learning about the industry.

What were you involved in when you were on campus?

I was on the steering committee for Dance Marathon and danced in Noche Latina during my time at Holy Cross.

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

I was a Sociology and Spanish double major. Learning about social inequalities from my sociology professors peaked my interest in recruitment and human resources because of the diversity and inclusion initiatives that companies have. I also wanted a career in which I would be able to continue speaking Spanish. I discovered in my interview that I would be able to assist in recruitment for the Edelman Miami office. I have since conducted interviews with potential candidates in Spanish, as it is a valued skillset in our Miami office.

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

Learning how to write concisely and effectively through my liberal arts education has helped me navigate the world of communicating effectively via email. I have also been able to apply my Spanish speaking skills when helping with recruitment in our Miami office.

What advice do you have for students on campus interested in the Communications / PR field?

One thing that I’ve heard from the teams I recruit for is that strong research and writing skills are essential in selecting an intern. Skills like writing press releases and building media lists can be taught on the job; curiosity and communicating effectively are capabilities that can be cultivated during your years on campus. Use your time on campus to think about what you are passionate about (and if you’re having trouble, head to the career planning office to talk it out!). PR firms like Edelman serve clients in various industries, so even if you are passionate about a sector like healthcare and complete internships in that field, there is still an opportunity to summarize those experiences on your resume and apply for opportunities in the PR field that could help clients in the health industry tell their stories.
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My Alumni Job Shadowing Experience at Seaport Veterinary Hospital

 

Name: Gillary Garcia
Class Year: 2020
Major: Religion Studies
Shadowing Visit Site: Seaport Veterinary Hospital

Describe your visit and what did you gain from the experience?

During my visit I was able to sit in appointments and see how the doctors dealt with the animals and the cases that were presented to them. I was able to scrub in and see a spay procedure be done. The doctor explained everything he was doing so I was able to understand every step of the procedure.

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

I have always wanted to be a veterinarian so I was so happy to be able to participate in the alumni shadow program because I could experience what a day in a veterinary hospital is like. There was so much I learned in that one day.

What is some helpful advice your alumni host shared with you?

One piece of advice my alumni host shared with me was to be open minded for the different opportunities there are to work with animals. Working with animals is not necessarily always a hospital setting, so he told me to get out there and to try different things! The alumni advised me to become involved in volunteer work early and to really get experience with working with animals. It can be as simple as volunteering at shelters or joining summer programs. He told me to pay attention to vet school prerequisites but to also be a well-rounded student in other subjects as well.

Why would you recommend the Alumni Job Shadowing Program to other students?

I would recommend the Alumni Job Shadowing Program to other students because it is a great way for them to see what goes on in a regular day for their desired career. If a student is unsure of what they want to pursue, the alumni shadow program is a great way for them to explore new things!

Want to explore an interest? Consider applying to the Winter Break Alumni Job Shadowing Program and spend the day with an alum. Click the button below to learn more about the application process.
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I Was a Political Science Major, Now I am a First Year Associate

Meet Jonathan Casseus ’14, First Year Associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in Boston.

In one sentence, what does your job entail?

My job essentially is that I am a lawyer in a big law firm conducting litigation for large companies on a variety of issues ranging from class actions to securities litigation.

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 always knew that I wanted to go to law school ever since I stepped foot on campus at Holy Cross. I tailored my course selection to prepare me to fulfill that dream. I noticed that the courses matched my passions while at Holy Cross and in law school, I continued to love what I was learning, proving how much of a great fit it was.

What were you involved in when you were on campus?

Sound of St. James All-Male Acapella Group, RA in Mulledy for 2 years, MPE, Peer Mentors, Brother to Brother Committee, WHCH Sports (Broadcaster for Basketball), Intramural Soccer, Co-Chair of BSU in 2013, Treasurer in 2012, and Freshman Apprentice in 2011.

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

Political Science. The courses really helped me understand how the law can shape countries and states, and the writing equipped me with tools that I still use up to this day.

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

I learned how to have a disciplined work ethic to meet various deadlines especially when they all fall around the same time period. All the “hell weeks” prepared me for the times when law school got really tough. Moreover, I learned how to constantly reflect on my journey and my purpose and that has aided me in putting things in perspective and reminds me why I wake up doing what I always wanted to do.

What advice do you have for students on campus today?

If you have a goal or dream, take your academics by the horns and try to gear yourself towards that goal as best as you can. Also, do not take Holy Cross for granted, the school is preparing you to do great things, however, selling yourself short or cutting corners will not allow you to reap those benefits.

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My Alumni Job Shadowing Experience at GMO

Name: Jack McCabe
Class Year: 2019
Major: Economics and English
Shadowing Visit Site: GMO

Describe your visit and what did you gain from the experience?

During my visit, I got the opportunity to visit a few different desks on the GMO trading floor. In the morning I first attended the daily meeting where the head of the floor talks about the goals for the day and any news that was going on within the company itself. I then was able to visit a derivatives desk where I was actually able to see a few trades in action. Later in the day, I got the opportunity to sit in on an equities desk and then later a commodities desk. From this experience, I was able to gain a wide perspective on the various roles that make a trading floor operate.

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

This experience really translated into my future because I always knew that I wanted to go into business when I was older, but I was still unsure as to what I wanted to do in business. This day helped me decide that a career in finance was right for me.

What is some helpful advice your alumni host shared with you?

Some really helpful advice that my alumni host shared with me was the importance of networking if I wanted to pursue a career in finance. My host also helped me through some career advice and how to go through an interview process at a place like GMO.

Why would you recommend the Alumni Job Shadowing Program to other students?

I highly recommend the Alumni Job Shadowing Program to other students because you get the chance to build a close relationship with an alum from the college. Networking is key especially in a field like finance, so the more people you know the better. Also, the program is just a great experience for people that are still unsure as to what they want to do when they leave Holy Cross.

The deadline to apply to this year’s Winter Break Alumni Job Shadowing Program is October 20th! Learn more and apply in Crusader Connections.

 
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My Alumni Job Shadowing Experience at Nike World Headquarters

Name: Jerome Ferrer Siangco
Class Year: 2019
Major: Asian Studies
Shadowing Visit Site: Nike World Headquarters

Describe your visit and what did you gain from the experience?

Through the Alumni Job Shadowing Program I had the opportunity to spend a full day at Nike World Headquarters. It was a Wednesday and Wednesdays are sock day for the Holy Cross alumni I was shadowing. Through meeting with various Nike executives, going into ~5 meetings, and touring the campus, I was able to gain a sense for how a product, the Nike Sock, grew from an idea into a product that is on the market. I went into meetings that covered the Nike Sock in North America to another meeting that discussed the global prescience of the Nike Sock. I gained a sense of how best to manage a team and attack a goal. Every meeting I went into, the Holy Cross alumni had a plan of attack. He knew what he wanted accomplished, how to get there, and trusted in his team to do their part. He lead by example and I learned a lot from him.

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

This experience made me realize the importance, when thinking about a future workplace or career, of the work environment I would want to work in. I always thought I could adapt to any environment, however spending a day at a place like Nike made me rethink this. Through interacting with employees and spending a full day at Nike World Headquarters, I saw a sense of community that I appreciated. The work environment at Nike is one where ideas are allowed to flourish and people can try new concepts. I really connected with this work environment and I would want to work in an area similar to this.

What is some helpful advice your alumni host shared with you?

To take advantage of every opportunity presented and take risks. Try new ideas and see where they may lead. College is the chance to experiment, find what you are interested in and run with that. After College, take some time off before graduate school to gain some experience in the real world, either through working, a year or two of service, or even some traveling. Also throughout life, make connections, network, and maintain the relationships you form because at some point these relationships could come in handy.

Why would you recommend the Alumni Job Shadowing Program to other students?

I would recommend the Alumni Job Shadowing Program to other students because it provided me the chance to visually see what a Holy Cross education can lead to. I saw the skills I am currently learning in College, skills of a liberal arts education and working with others, in action through the alumni I was shadowing. From talking to the alumni I gained a sense of the passion he has for Holy Cross students and wanting to give back. Through my single day of shadowing came with it a long-term mentor that I know I can reach out to at anytime for assistance, whether it be for guidance or simply a check in. Also I got to see the behind the scenes working of an organization everyone knows about, Nike. It was a great overall experience and one I would love to do again!

Now accepting applications for the 2017 Winter Break Alumni Job Shadowing Program! Hurry the deadline to apply is October 20th. Learn more and apply using Crusader Connections.
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What is a Career Community?

 

Interested in a particular industry or multiple industries? Want to receive emails from the Center for Career Development that are tailored to your interests? Then join a Career Community!

What are Career Communities?

Career Communities connect students to specific, tailored industry resources and programs to effectively explore career paths, identify and apply to opportunities and cultivate personal networks that shape their professional journey. The different communities include:

Arts, Fashion, Sports & Entertainment
Consulting, Finance, Accounting, Insurance & Real Estate
Education, Nonprofit, Human Resources
Government, International Affairs, Law
Health Professions, Public Health, & Life Sciences
Marketing, Communications, Media & Advertising
Technology, Engineering, & Physical Sciences

What do I get by joining a Career Community?

By joining a Career Community, or multiple communities, you are taking a big step in your path to finding the job or internship that is perfect for you! Some of the perks of joining include:

• Counseling
• #CrusaderIntern Student Leaders
• Tailored Workshops
• Email Newsletters
• Alumni Events
• Employer Engagement

Can I join more than one Community?

Yes, join as many as you want! Make sure that all your interests are covered.

How do I join?

It takes just 5 minutes! Start by logging onto Crusader Connections.
• Click preferences on the left-hand menu then choose Academic & Career.
• Scroll down and choose one or more Career Communities!
If you have any more questions stop by the Center for Career Development during Drop-in Hours: Monday- Friday 1-4 PM and Wednesday 10-12 PM.
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EVENT RECAP: Senior and Alumni Networking Night

By Anthony Saltarelli ’18, Nerelly Checo ’18

On Monday, September 14, the Center for Career Development hosted a Senior Alumni Networking Event with guest speaker, Jodi Smith. For those of you who could not make it, here are 8 memorable takeaways:

  1. Always have a conversation starter ready.

    • Jodi referred to this as a “snippet”. It’s a short, unique sentence about yourself, which provokes further conversation. For example: “Hi I’m Alex and I just launched my first iPhone app!”

  2. Give a firm handshake.

    • Always remember that anything more than three shakes is considered creepy and maintain eye contact during the handshake. The tip to having a firm handshake is making sure that the web between your thumb and index finger is also touching their web.

  3. Looking to make an exit from a conversation? Avoid saying “Excuse me, I’m going to the bathroom”.

    • Nobody needs to know that you’re going to to the bathroom. In addition, saying “Excuse me, I’m going to get another drink” may cause the person to follow you or ask you for a drink. Simply saying “excuse me” is sufficient enough.

  4. Be a lion going for the wildebeest. Circle them and pick who interests you the most.

  5. Do your homework before arriving to the networking event.

    • Know the dress code, whether food will be served, who is going to be at the event, modes of transportation and length of trip, availability of parking, etc.
    • Make sure to know the rank of whoever you are speaking to — you wouldn’t want to be caught talking poorly about the CEO to the CEO!

  6. Always wear your name tag on your right side.

    • Place your name tag closer to your shoulder. When you shake someone’s hand, you always use your right arm. Therefore, naturally, the other person’s eyes will follow your arm right up to your name tag.

  7. End the conversation gracefully.

    • Jodi emphasized two things in terms of ending a conversation. It is important to always ask for a business card because this is your way of maintaining a connection with them outside of the event. She recommends that upon arriving home, you should write the date, who this person is and what was discussed with this person. This ensures that you can write an email or handwritten note to the person that includes details that shows you remember them (it also helps them remember you so it’s a win-win situation).

    • As humans, sometimes our memory fails us. Watch out for ending the conversation with the common phrase “It was a pleasure to meet you”. You may have met the person in the past before and simply forgotten. Avoid embarrassing moments like these by simply saying “it was a pleasure speaking with you”.

  8. Always follow up!

    • Regardless of whether the person holds a job in an industry or workplace that specifically interests you, you don’t know who their connections may be.
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Meet CrusaderIntern Jacob Wronski ’18, Intern at the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office

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

As an intern I spent most of my time at the Worcester Courthouse running errands for assistant district attorneys. I was also fortunate to be paired with a great mentor who was the ADA who processes all of the gun crimes in Worcester. There, one of my main tasks was to contact various police stations across the nation to request records for defendants that were being tried in a Dangerousness Hearing, and help organize their case files.

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

The internship worked also as a class. I have never taken a criminal law course or a course of the basics of the court, and at the office I got to experience the entire process first hand from arraignment to sentencing and everything in between. This is a great way for anyone who may be interested to learn about law, but doesn’t know where to start.

What has surprised you about being an intern?

I was surprised to find the good relationships that were present in the courtroom on opposing sides. The defense attorney’s and ADA’s were civil and, more often than not, got along well in a way that you may not expect.

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

Before this internship, I was unsure of what my future plans would be. Now, with help from many people at the office, I have decided to apply to law school where I will further explore my interest and passion for the law.

Any internship advice to pass on to other Holy Cross students?

Be assertive and pro-active at all times so that your employer knows you are eager and willing to get work done.