Career Development Blog

February 16, 2022

Meet Alum Chris Hodgens ’17, Audit & Assurance at Deloitte & Touche LLP

Name: Chris Hodgens, CPA

Class Year: 2017

Title: Audit & Assurance Senior 2

Organization Name: Deloitte & Touche LLP

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

As a public accountant, I investigate client financial data to evaluate its validity on behalf of the Board of Directors and Company Shareholders.

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?

When I arrived at Holy Cross, I did not have accounting on my radar at all. By the time second semester of my first year rolled around, I had made friends with several people in my Montserrat class/cluster. Through these friends, I had heard great things about Prof. O’Connor’s Financial Accounting class and decided to register – and the rest is history as they say.

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

I was an active member in campus ministry, SPUD, and also worked in Dinand.

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

Accounting. I was lucky enough to major in a subject that has a somewhat predictable pipeline to public accounting. Through my accounting professors (shoutout to Prof. O’Connor, Baldiga, Teitel, and Sandstrom!) and the Center for Career Development, I was provided with ample opportunities to network with professionals (and HC alumni) from the “Big 4” public accounting firms.

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

Without a doubt, the amount of writing that I did in all of my classes was hugely beneficial. Many people think “accounting” and assume that I work in a dimly lit room with a calculator – not so! The audit profession (and accounting in general) requires a high degree of analysis into what the numbers really mean to the different stakeholders – so communicating that information is key. In fact, a large portion of my day is comprised of sending emails to clients, communicating the status of work to my direct superiors and to clients, and drafting memos to substantiate identified risks, understanding of the business, etc.

6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

I would encourage everyone to start thinking about life post-college early on – attend the career fairs, alumni/industry panels, etc. Have conversations with your professors – many of whom started their careers in the industries/topics they now teach about – to get some additional perspectives. For my accounting major friends, make it a point to attend recruiting events and introduce yourself to campus recruiters from Deloitte and the other “Big 4” accounting firms. Each firm has leadership programs for sophomores to attend and get a feel for the culture at each firm – be sure to apply to these. These programs often lead to an internship offer for the following summer – so it pays to start building these relationships early.

February 16, 2022

Meet Alum Efrain Lozano ’19, Production Assistant at NFL Network

Name: Efrain Lozano

Class Year: 2019

Title: Production Assistant

Organization Name: NFL Network

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

As a production assistant at the NFL Network’s Original Content department, my job is to compile footage and media for all projects from the very beginning of the script. Once footage is compiled, it is shared with producers and editors who put everything together to create the final version of the project, which is what ends up going on air on the NFL Network channel or through our various social media channels.

2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross?

I had the opportunity to take a class called filmmaking in Spanish with Professor Bridget Franco, this inspired me to get interested in storytelling. From there, I became an intern, through the Academic Internship Program, in the athletic department with the marketing and live production team. Thanks to this and to a Holy Cross alum, I was able to land an internship with the NFL’s Original Content department here in Los Angeles.

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

Through the internship with the NFL, I noticed that they treated me as part of the team and not just any other worker on the network. I was given responsibilities and the trust to run projects that helped with my experience. I was brought back as a seasonal production assistant to the same department, and from there I just felt this is what I wanted to do for a very long time.

4. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

I was one of the founders of HCF1RST Scholars. I was also part of LASO, SGA, and the athletic department marketing and live broadcast team.

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

I was a Spanish major. Besides the filmmaking class, my major had nothing to do with the Media or Production industry. However, attending a liberal arts institution definitely helped my case.

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

Effective Communication Skills: Attending a school with small classes, you constantly need to be communicating and sharing with professors and your peers. This is CRUCIAL at the NFL, we’re in constant communication with each other at all levels, so you need to communicate well and effectively.

Organizational Skills: With my specific role, I need to keep track of tons of footage and sometimes we even need to find footage from back when the league started in 1920. In order to use our time wisely with our editors, we need to keep everything as organized as possible for the projects to run smoothly.

7. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

Even if there’s no specific major for what you want to do in the future, take advantage of attending a liberal arts institution and find things that interest you, don’t just focus on a specific major but on something you really enjoy.

Also, take advantage of your alumni network!! Thanks to a Holy Cross alumni I was able to land my internship at the NFL, and now I am here full-time. So network and build connections with the HC community.

November 3, 2021

Meet Alum Daniel Walsh, Chief Architect of Container Technologies at Red Hat

Name: Daniel Walsh

Title: Chief Architect of Container Technologies

Organization: Red Hat

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

I am chief architect of container technologies at Red Hat, which means I lead a group of Operating System engineers who write code to control what third party applications do on an Linux computer system.

2. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

I was heavily involved in the Holy Cross Band, Member of Big Brothers/Big Sister. Performed in ACT Alternate College Theater, as well as senior Play. Went to multiple religious retreats. (5 days no talking). Lots of intramural sports (Basketball, Touch Football)

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

Math Major, I wanted to go into Computer Science, but Holy Cross did not offer the major at that time. I also took course at WPI through the consortium.

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

I was a horrible writer when I got to Holy Cross, and really felt like I would fail out of some writing courses, but the professors worked with me and got me to the point, where I was passable. Now I write (blog) prolifically and am well known in the computer security world for my communications skills. I don’t believe I would have been as successful if I had gone to a technical college.

5. What advice do you have for students today?

Enjoy your college experience. If you have a non-technical background, don’t assume you will not be able to work at a high-tech company. Most of the employees at the top technical companies need to be able communicate. Sales, marketing, human resources, documentation, management, customer support, legal and hundreds of other jobs require read/writing skills. Even software engineers need to document their software, and explain how to use it. It is my belief that a liberal arts education, teaches this fundamental skill.

November 3, 2021

Meet #CrusaderIntern Seryna Warren ’22

Name: Seryna Warren

Class Year: 2022

Intern Title: Human Resources Project Manager

Organization: Seaside Sustainability

1. Tell us about where you interned over the summer and the kind of work you are doing.

Over the summer, I remotely interned at an organization called Seaside Sustainability based in Gloucester, MA. At Seaside, I was a Human Resources Project Manager, where I handled internal communications between staff, and worked to prioritize the mental well-being of the employees. In this position, I managed projects pertaining to mental health and community well-being, such as workshops and newsletter programs. At Seaside, I also worked as a Green Consulting intern, where I collaborated with a team on the development of a sustainability consulting program and contract to use in collaboration with schools to help them work towards more sustainable campuses. At this internship, I also received the President’s Volunteer Service Award, an award given to interns who complete a certain amount of volunteer hours.

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

I was able to apply so much of my academic learning to my internship. As an Environmental Studies major, I am able to go into depth in a plethora of different disciplines during the academic year, from the humanities to the hard sciences. During the summer, I was able to carry over all I had learned while involved in the ENVS program to my internship. I was able to apply my knowledge of the hard sciences, such as biology and chemistry, to the brainstorming and developing of consulting areas. I also was able to utilize my knowledge from my course on environmental perspectives to prioritize ethics in the consulting program as well.

3. What has surprised you about being an intern?

What had surprised me about being an intern was how much I was actually able to contribute to the organization. Upon starting the internship, I had the misconception that I would only be able to contribute so much, as someone with minimal experience. I totally was. wrong. During my internship, I felt as though my ideas and thoughts were well heard and included in the work that was going on, leaving me with the feeling that I had made such a strong contribution to the teams that I was on.

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

This experience helped me to establish a few ideas that I have for my future. To look more positively, as a Green Consulting Intern, I was able to establish a curiosity about sustainability consulting that I continued today with my participation in the Pothos Project here at HC. I also learned through this internship that I hope to have a more active position in a career. All of my internship was done behind a computer screen, which was great as I was able to work with people all over the world, but I also found that it was not the type of work setting I hope to have in my future career. I also feel as though my internship showed me the opportunities to work in nonprofit organizations, which is another career path I hope to look more into.

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

My best advice when looking for / doing an internship is to make meaningful connections through networking. Over the course of my internship, I was able to meet and network with some amazing individuals. This skill of networking continues to help me today with my current internship (different from my summer internship), as well as within my career search.

November 3, 2021

Meet Alumna Christina Lindberg ’11, Associate at Miner Siddall LLP

Name: Christina Lindberg

Class Year: 2011

Title: Associate

Organization Name: Miner Siddall LLP

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

I represent individuals and corporations in a variety of civil and criminal matters in state and federal courts.

2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross?

I knew I wanted to attend law school by my junior year. Through the SIP Program, I found a summer internship with JP Morgan’s intellectual property law department. I took an LSAT prep course on campus during my senior year and consulted with my professors about my plans. At my next internship, I explored criminal law as an intern with the Committee for Public Counsel Services. To find my first position out of law school, I went through the typical on campus interview process and I was happy to secure a position as an associate at a law firm in Boston.

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

I enjoy the variety of litigation work. I spend a substantial amount of time researching and writing motions, but I am also in court or in depositions regularly. With each new case, I learn about new industries and how the law applies to the particular facts of my case.

4. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

I was involved with an SAT tutoring program and an afterschool tutoring program for younger students. I was also a staff writer for the student newspaper.

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

As an English major, I spent a lot of time reading, researching, and writing. I knew I wanted to continue that in my career through litigation work.

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

My professors at Holy Cross always gave constructive feedback and pushed me to think outside the box. I try to use that same creative thinking every day when I’m brainstorming arguments and writing a brief.

7. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

Take advantage of the strong Holy Cross alumni network. Over the years, alumni have been a great resource for me. Don’t wait until you’re applying for a job. Reach out to alumni when you find their career path or current position interesting. A quick thirty minute chat is a great way to get to know someone and make a new connection.

November 3, 2021

Meet Alumna Micaela Melley Chiaramonte ‘08, Director of Major Gifts and Centennial Celebration

Name: Micaela Melley Chiaramonte

Class Year: 2008

Title: Director of Major Gifts and Centennial Celebration

Organization Name: The Nightingale-Bamford School in Manhattan, New York

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

Essentially, I work in sales – but it is much more fascinating than typical sales work (i.e. cars, software platforms, etc.) – as I work with individuals’ personal assets and philanthropic donations. When someone makes a philanthropic donation, s/he does not necessarily get anything tangible in return except a warm feeling that s/he has helped enhance the common good. This giving spirit is incredibly empowering to be around. Pre-COVID, I also oversaw affiliated fundraising gala events and was most recently leading a 1,100 person event at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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 two jobs after college were a complete result of the Holy Cross alumni network!

My first job was at a software startup company, then called OpenAir. One of the co-founders was a Holy Cross graduate (Tom Brennan ’86) and he hired many Holy Cross students, with all various majors. He was driven by the notion that with our liberal arts background, we would be able to easily adapt and learn the software industry – and he was right! I worked in their Customer Support and Account Management departments for 4 years and learned so very much about sales and the business industry.

While I enjoyed being in sales, I knew that I wanted to transition to non-profit to explore the area of sales I liked the most – building relationships with clients but in a more meaningful capacity.

I then transitioned to the non-profit world and started working at Harvard University in their Alumni Affairs and Development department. I was introduced to my manager through a Holy Cross alum (the Holy Cross alumni network is amazing and is everywhere – you have to always be ready!) After Harvard, I moved to New York City and worked for The New School for five years and became more focused and specialized in major giving and special events at Parsons School of Design and the College of Performing Arts. I organized fundraising events during fashion week and a Centennial Celebration at Carnegie Hall. I had the unique opportunity to work with a Parsons’ donor who established a scholarship in memory of his late, close friend who was a Holy Cross graduate. It was very special to work with these families in building quite the legacy gift. I then transitioned to The Nightingale-Bamford School, an all-girls K-12 independent school in Manhattan where I have been leading the charge on their endowment campaign and major giving the last three years. My work in the fast-paced event world involves many late nights and weekend work but it is very inspiring and rewarding.

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

I double majored in history and Spanish and spent my junior year abroad in Leon, Spain.

The skills I learned from both majors have played a critical role in my career. Being a history major provided me with incredible research and writing skills that I use daily in my role. My Spanish major was influential in helping me build my communication skills, especially listening skills. Most importantly, both majors and studying abroad, provided the foundation in giving me the confidence to ask questions.

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

Research and writing skills from being a history major: Before I meet with a donor, I research every possible angle of this individual’s life so I can be prepared to align a solicitation/my organization’s funding priorities to his/her best interests. I am constantly writing – from small emails, to handwritten thank you notes, to complex donor proposals.

Listening skills from being a Spanish major: A huge part of my job is to truly listen to the donor (you would be surprised how many people struggle with mastering this skill!). My Spanish major taught me the importance and taking a step back and truly listening and focusing on what the person is saying.

5. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

Embrace the Holy Cross alumni network; start familiarizing yourself with its resources as early as you can. You are the best advocate for your career. No one is going to help advance your career – you have to take the initiative. Always listen to your gut!

November 3, 2021

Meet Alum Michael Morigi ’19, Analyst at Partners Capital

Name: Michael Morigi

Class Year: 2019

Title: Analyst

Organization Name: Partners Capital

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

I research hedge fund investment opportunities and build/manage multi-asset class portfolios for clients.

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?

Early in senior year, I was connected to Partners Capital through my friend and fellow HC alumnus, Carson Marsh (Class of ‘17). Carson and I knew each other from Finance Club and he thought that this opportunity would fit well with my interests. After conducting my own due diligence, I thought Partners Capital would be a great fit due to the analytical nature of the work, flat organizational structure that would allow me to impact the business early in my tenure, and opportunity to manage portfolios on behalf of sophisticated, mission-driven and global clients. As I reflect on my first two years in the role, not only have I been able to work on strategic projects for the firm – such as quantifying how we think our hedge fund investments might perform in periods of market stress, or redesigning our firmwide municipal bond allocations – but I’ve also had the opportunity to work directly with managing directors / partners of the firm and personally present my work to the broader team.

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

I was involved with the Pre-Business Program through programs such as the Finance Club and HC Capital / the Student Investment Fund. I was also a resident assistant and served on SGA.

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

I was a double major in economic and political science. My work in political science focused on international relations, which fit well with my love for history but also provided me with the insights to better understand how the world “works”. My economics major contributed a lot to my political science work, but it also provided me with relevant experiences and skills for my current job through classes such as Financial Economics and Industrial Organization.

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

The critical thinking skills I developed at Holy Cross are critical to my day-to-day work at Partners Capital. As an example, I work on the portfolio management team for multiple clients and must constantly evaluate potential investment actions to optimize results. Global markets are always changing and there are often second or third-order implications for any investment plan that must be considered, particularly when managing large portfolios to specific mandates. Additionally, time management and adaptability are key skills which were tested and developed during my time at HC and have served me well in my current role, especially amid the height of the Covid-19 disruptions last March and April.

6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

If you see an opportunity to get involved or if there is some organization / internship, etc. that you are interested in – do it. Holy Cross provides you with a wealth of opportunities and if you aren’t finding something that you are looking for, the Center for Career Development can help; I used to go into the office so often I’m surprised they didn’t kick me out! I would also say don’t be afraid to reach out to alumni. I found Partners Capital through our network but I’ve also had the opportunity to speak with so many interesting people thanks to the connections Holy Cross provides. If you have an interest in some field or role, chances are someone from Holy Cross knows it. Finally – please make an effort to study abroad. I realize Covid-19 has complicated things, but I can’t stress enough how fulfilling and memorable my time abroad was in Russia (Maymester) or Trinity (full-year study abroad). If anything, it’s a conversation starter for interviews!

October 1, 2021

Meet Alum Joseph Wihbey ’16, Mechanical Engineer @ Sikorsky

Name: Joseph Wihbey

Class Year: 2016

Title: Mechanical Engineer

Organization: Sikorsky

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

I am a mechanical designer that designs, analyzes, and details test machines for Sikorsky helicopter components.

2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you learn/decided it was a good fit for you?

I had always planned on pursuing engineering. I was unsure of which engineering field I would be most interested in. My experience within the Holy Cross physics department helped me decide on mechanical engineering.

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

I was involved in on-campus research – I studied atomic physics in Professor Oxley’s lab. The hands-on experiments I took part in through Professor Oxley’s lab were very formative and a major inspiration. I was also involved in SPUD and Track and Field.

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

I was a 3-2 engineering student at Holy Cross. I studied physics at Holy Cross and mechanical engineering at Columbia. In both majors, I got to use a lot of math – particularly calculus and differential equations. I wanted a job where I would be able to use those math skills on a regular basis. I feel very lucky that in my current role I am constantly referring back to my college textbooks and applying what I learned in school.

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

Taking detailed notes! A lot can happen in the course of the day, between meetings and other types of distractions, and keeping a notebook has helped me stay on task.

6. What advice do you have for students today?

Take advantage of the liberal arts curriculum! Try not to think of the common requirements as a chore, but as an opportunity to try something new.

September 30, 2021

Meet Alum Dillon Clancy ’20, AmeriCorps Men’s Health Care Coordinator

Name: Dillon Clancy

Class Year: 2020

Title: AmeriCorps Men’s Health Care Coordinator

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

AmeriCorps Men’s Health Care Coordinator at 112 Southampton Street Shelter Clinic. I directly work with patients to coordinate equitable access to the highest quality of health care, benefits, and community resources.

2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you learn/decided it was a good fit for you?

During my senior year, I knew that I wanted to pursue a future in the health professions. I decided to sign up for the Health Care Career Trek that was hosted by the Center for Career Development. One of the places we visited was Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP). During this visit, I was able to connect with a Holy Cross graduate, who was in one of my Health Studies classes as a senior when I was a freshman. She served an AmeriCorps year at BHCHP and now works there full time. She gave me the advice to apply to the AmeriCorps program at BHCHP, and here I am!

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

On campus, I served as both an Orientation Leader and Student Coordinator for Fall Gateways Orientation, I worked as Writing Consultant in the Writer’s Workshop, I sang as a Bass in Fools on the Hill, I played on the Men’s Club Volleyball Team, was a Co-Leader for Spring Break Immersion Programs, and a retreat leader with the Chaplin’s Office for the Communitas Virtual Retreat. Yes, I did like to keep busy 🙂

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

In coming to Holy Cross, I was extremely passionate about pursuing a Health Studies major through the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies. Throughout the courses I took at Holy Cross (S/O to my advisor, Prof. Masvawure, and the many other wonderful professors I had), and the internships I was fortunate enough to have, my passion for health only grew deeper. Along the way, I decided to add on a Neuroscience minor, which perfectly complemented my interests. The “highlight-reel” of classes that I took at Holy Cross include, Mixed-Methods Health Research, Drug Use: Brain and Behavior, Writing about Data and Policy, Critical Issues in Global Health, and Health Care Management Academic Internship Program. In combining my major and minor, I grew particularly interested in the intersection between mental health, substance use disorder, and health care delivery, which led me to BHCHP.

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

The two most important skills that I use in my service as an AmeriCorps Member with BHCHP are communication and persistence. As for communication, both my written and verbal communication skills were sharpened at Holy Cross through the classes I took and the extracurriculars I was involved in. It is so important that I effectively communicate information to the patients that I serve, and to all the other care teams that are providing care to patients. As for persistence, this position is HARD. It is difficult to “sum up” my job in one sentence because there is so much that my job may entail – there is no “typical day.” The patients that I work with are experiencing homelessness for a whole range of reasons, but overarchingly due to the incredible number of systems that are built to disadvantage them. It is my job to navigate through these systems with them, which requires a lot of persistence and grit.

6. What advice do you have for students today?

Be thankful and take advantage of the opportunities given to you at Holy Cross. Holy Cross can be an easy place to get caught up in the mix of everything, and quickly grow overwhelmed. It always helped me to take a step back to reflect on the good that I had, rather than the bad that constantly stressed me out. If that is academics – great! If that is extracurriculars – awesome! If that is hanging out with friends – cool! Find the thing that makes goosebumps fills your arms, and, as St. Ignatius once said, SET THE WORLD ON FIRE.

September 29, 2021

Meet Alumna Mary Kate Brennan ’09, Associate @ Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP

Name: Mary Kate Brennan

Class year: 2009

Position: Associate

Organization: Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP

Law School: Fordham University School of Law, J.D. 2012, LL.M. in Fashion Law 2017

1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?

My practice focuses on trademark, false advertising, and copyright litigation for a wide variety of clients and industries, including fashion, consumer goods, and media.

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?

Even before attending Holy Cross, I knew that I wanted to be an attorney. I did not, however, expect to become a fashion lawyer. While at Fordham Law School, I took Professor Susan Scafidi’s Fashion Law survey class. Professor Scafidi is the first professor ever to offer a course in Fashion Law, and she is internationally recognized for her leadership in establishing the field. After graduating and while studying for the bar exam in 2012, Professor Scafidi invited me to work with her at the Fashion Law Institute, the world’s first center dedicated to law and the business of fashion. From there, I continued to connect with industry members. Although my immediate next position did not involve fashion law – I joined the litigation department at The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey – I continued to network and stay involved in fashion. For example, I co-founded the Holy Cross in Fashion Alumni Affinity Group. This group has afforded me unparalleled opportunities to connect with Crusader fashion luminaries, such as Carolyn Risoli.

I love writing and thankfully, other people seem to think that I’m pretty good at it. Going into law school, I thought that I wanted to be a transactional attorney working on deals and contracts. While between my first and second years of law school, I interned with Time Inc.’s legal department. Notably, it is only because of Holy Cross’s Summer Internship Program that I was able get this position (going into my senior year, I interned at Sports Illustrated as part of Time Inc.’s editorial internship program). At Time Inc., I worked with the in-house litigation team and knew that the fast-paced nature of trial work was for me. I haven’t looked back since.

3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?

Class of 2009 Convocation Scholar; Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Holy Cross Journal of Law and Public Policy; Co-Chair of the Hanify-Howland Memorial Lecture Committee; News Editor and Columnist at The Crusader; Writing Tutor and Teacher’s Assistant; Co-Chair of the English Department Student Advisory Board; and Staff Member of the Campus Activity Board.

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

I was an English major and minored in Art History. Both have had an enormous impact on my personal and professional life. As an English major, I dedicated my studies to close-readings and precise writing. While legal writing is quite different, the skills that I began to develop during undergrad have transferred nicely and set the groundwork for success. In terms of the substantive fashion law work, my art history background provided a wonderful foundation in fashion and fostered my overall interest in the arts and protecting them. On a personal note, I still love reading for fun and enjoy catching up with Professor Paige Reynolds about what new Irish novel I should pick up next (besides Sally Rooney).

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

I used to think it was cheesy, but the Jesuit motto of “Men and Women for Others” remains a touchstone. Little things matter. For example, I remember appreciating it when my Holy Cross classmates held doors open for me on campus or dropped off an iced coffee while I wrote a paper in Coolbeans. While I may be a formidable opponent in the courtroom, I strive to remain kind. In litigation, things can get heated quickly, and remembering the human element of work is critical. If you’re sort of jerk in the first semester of law school and don’t share your notes, people remember it years later. Having come from Holy Cross, I couldn’t imagine not being a collaborative classmate or co-worker. I think this makes me a better attorney and person.

6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?

Chart your own course. Do not become paralyzed trying to find a “dream” law school or job. Rather, think broadly and strategically when looking for the best opening that you can find now. Take that springboard and keep working hard, make meaningful connections and never lose sight of your long-terms goals. People can and will open doors for you, but you have to be the one to walk through them.