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My Alumni Job Shadowing Experience: GOVERNMENT

Full Name: Juliana Brandao
Class Year: 2017
Major: International Studies and Spanish
Shadowing Visit Site: MA State House

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

I had the wonderful experience of shadowing Christine Barber, the Massachusetts House Representative for the 34th Middlesex district. During my shadowing experience, I gained insight into Christine’s role as House Representative as well as some of the activities and events that occur within the State House. I attended several caucuses and meetings and had the opportunity to network with other people. The first event that Christine had scheduled was a presentation by the non-profit organization ABCD (Action for Boston Community Development) where I met the Operations Manager and the Deputy Director of Field Operations for ABCD. I have kept in contact with both of them and now have the opportunity to do an informational interview with the Operations Manager of ABCD.

I also attended the Progressive Caucus and the Women’s Caucus, both of which Christine is involved in. The Progressive Caucus was a great experience because I got to observe how the representatives coordinate meetings and speak with one another. They were speaking about topics that particularly interest me, such as health care reform, and it was fascinating to hear how they planned and discussed practical strategies to make sure that the meeting would be efficient and their goals would be heard. During the Women’s Caucus, representatives of different organizations that advocate and support women’s rights presented on their specific organizations, explained what impact their organizations have in communities across Massachusetts, and provided important statistics about women regarding sexual victimization and racism.

I was able to speak with Christine on a more personal level during lunch and in between scheduled meetings and events. I asked her about her career path and how she landed her position as State Representative. I learned about what experiences helped her gain the skills that her position requires her to utilize every day. It was comforting to speak about both of our experiences at Holy Cross since we share this college experience in common. At the very end of the day, she took me on a tour around the State House and I got to see both the House Chamber and Senate Chamber.

Overall, it was a pleasure to meet with Christine and learn about her role as State Representative. I found the experience fulfilling and eye opening. As a female student, it was both empowering and gratifying to shadow a female alumni working for the government and playing an active role in shaping public policy.

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

I gained a networking opportunity to speak with employees of ABCD. I also developed a better idea of what it means to work for the government, and more specifically, the State House. This experience increased my interest in public policy. Christine’s role is relevant to my interests. She works to protect and ensure the rights of her constituents, and she is particularly active in health care, housing, and women’s rights matters. It was wonderful to learn about what bills she is trying to pass and what bills she is trying to resist, especially during a time where there is a lot of political controversy. As a senior, this experience also made me reflect on the kind of work environment that I would like to be a part of, especially as graduation gets closer and closer.  

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

My alumni host gave me advice to try to enjoy my last semester at Holy Cross and break down my next goals step by step. As an HC alum, she understands the pressure of having to keep up with classes, participate in outside activities, apply to jobs, and have at least some down time. She encouraged me to try new things and not be afraid of getting stuck somewhere that I do not like since these moments can help us grow and realize what we are really interested in. She also mentioned that the Center for Career Development has really developed since she went to Holy Cross, and based on the information that I provided her on my personal experience, she thinks it is a great resource for students. Finally, she stressed the importance of networking because it is necessary for almost any career path that you take.

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

I would definitely recommend the Alumni Job Shadowing Program to other students. It is both exciting and insightful to experience a part of an alumni’s career and see what they do on a daily basis. With respect to Christine’s role as House Representative, and I am sure this applies to other alumni as well, a lot of her work is relevant to changes that affect society, something I found quite meaningful during the visit. Most importantly, the shadowing program is great practice to put yourself out there and get over the hurdle of being shy or intimidated by the “real world.” Networking is key!
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#CrusaderIntern: Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Name: Elizabeth Buckley ’18
Organization: Brigham and Women’s hospital for the Genomes2People Research Program

What were you up to this past summer?

This past summer I am interned at Brigham and Women’s hospital for the Genomes2People Research Program. Genomes2People is a group that performs various clinical trial projects based around the risks and benefits that sequencing genomes for risk of illness will have on people. The project I have been working most closely with is the BabySeq Project. Genome sequencing is used to show the risk of various illnesses that a baby may have up to adulthood. The risks and benefits of knowing this uncertain information is studied among parents and pediatricians to better understand whether widespread genome sequencing should be used in the near future, for purposes such as personalized medicine.

I helped the research assistants with various tasks, such as updating online patient databases as well as editing and revising consent forms that are subsequently sent to be reviewed before being approved for use in the trial.

What was your favorite part?

I really enjoyed the opportunity to work in a job based around biology and academia. It has definitely opened my eyes to the type of work I can expect post graduation if I enter this field. I have also been able to decide whether working in a clinical trial program is what I would like to do in the future. There are many different jobs available in the lab setting, such as genetic counselor, research assistant, etc. I have been able to observe and help with various projects in each of these departments.

What surprised you?

I was surprised when I started working here that clinical research is so different from research in an actual lab. The group is small and everyone works in the same office space so everyone contributes to each overall project. Overall, I had a great experience with G2P and enjoyed the opportunity to experience working on such an interesting project and topic.
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ALUMNI INTERVIEW: I Was A Computer Science Major, Now I…

Thinking about majoring in computer science? Read on for an inside look at how your Holy Cross liberal arts education can prepare you for a career as a software engineer.

 

Meet Regan McCooey ’16, Software Engineer at TripAdvisor.

In one sentence, what does your job entail?

As part of the TripAdivsor Vacation Rentals CRM, team, I build programs that gather data and identify potential email recipients of commercial and transactional emails.

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?

After my sophomore and junior years at Holy Cross, I interned at a bank as a software engineer. Originally, I thought I would end up working there; however, after my second summer, I realized that software engineering in finance wasn’t the right fit for me. I began to look into software engineering roles at larger tech companies. My family friend suggested that I apply to TripAdvisor. I interviewed in October of my senior year and was offered the job. I knew it was a good fit because the people seemed very nice and the culture was exactly what I was looking for. I also wanted to do more consumer facing software that would impact real people rather than just writing programs for the back office of a bank.

What were you involved in when you were on campus?

I played varsity golf for two years and was on the ski team. I participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters as a mentor, acted as an officer for the Math and CS Club, and was a teaching assistant for computer science.

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

I majored in computer science. The classes I took at Holy Cross inspired my love of programming, and helped me decide to pursue a career as a software engineer. When I took Compiler Construction, an upper level project course that involved a lot of programming, I knew that I wanted to be a software engineer.

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

Besides teaching me how to program, Holy Cross taught me to adapt and to teach myself the skills necessary to solve the new problems I encounter every day. The software industry is very fast paced. Things are constantly changing and you are expected to adapt and learn fast. Working in the industry is also very different than programming at school. Nevertheless, the various projects I completely in my computer science courses challenged me to face the problems in front of me head-on and to find creative solutions. My Holy Cross experience thus instilled in me the confidence to take on the new challenges I face every day at TripAdvisor.

What advice do you have for students on campus today?

I would tell current students that they should never feel unqualified or unable to do a job because they don’t have all of the qualifications listed on a job advertisement. Job postings usually have an intimidating list of qualifications, especially in the software industry. If a student meets even one of those qualifications, they should apply for the job. Holy Cross students should always feel confident that they will be able to learn the specific technology required on the job. Prior to starting at TripAdvisor, I barely knew the two programming languages that I now use everyday. After a few months, I easily got the hang of it.
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#CrusaderItern: Scholastic

Name: Emily Bowman ’17
Organization: Scholastic Inc (You can intern here too! Deadline to apply is April 11th APPLY HERE)

What were you up to this past summer?

This past summer I had the incredible opportunity to intern with the Corporate Communications team at Scholastic.  I was originally looking at jobs with Scholastic because I thought I would be interested in publishing and editorial positions.  When I was placed in Corporate Communications department, I wasn’t totally sure what to expect.  What I quickly realized, however, was that Corp Comm was a really exciting team to work with because their work involved collaborating with almost every department in the company.  

The team was in charge of both internal and external communication for the company – everything from running Scholastic’s social media platforms, to writing press releases for new books, to creating content for Scholastic’s Intranet and corporate blog.  As an intern, I learned how to use communications platforms such as Cision and Sprinklr to track and analyze Scholastic’s media presence.  I also used these platforms to create media lists of potential news outlets that would be interested in running stories about Scholastic’s summer reading initiatives or new book releases.  I even had the chance to sit in on social media meetings and contribute ideas about the revamping of Scholastic’s Snapchat, which was exciting.

What was your favorite part?

One of my favorite parts of the job was writing for the company blog called On Our Minds.  I wrote about a variety of topics such as the most influential books in my life or the best rainy day reads.  I loved this part of the job because it was a chance for me to write creatively and have some fun!  Another highlight of the summer was the anticipated release of the new Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.  As an avid Potter fan myself, it was exciting to be a part of all the PR and marketing initiatives that surround a huge, international release such as that.

I had a fantastic summer with Scholastic and a great experience working in Corporate Communications. I would encourage anyone interested in pursuing a career in communications or marketing to reach out to me with any further questions!

Scholastic is looking for a Communications/Social Media Intern!
Hurry the deadline to apply is Tuesday, April 11th.
LEARN MORE HERE

The Scholastic Summer Internship Program provides an opportunity to gain experience in a variety of Scholastic businesses including weekly sessions where you get a chance to hear from SVPs, VPs and Senior Managers giving career advice and information regarding their divisions. The student who secures this 10 week, full time internship will receive a stipend. Any sophomore and junior may apply.
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Cover Letter Do’s and Don’ts

By Emily Bowman ’17

Cover letters can often seem daunting, but they don’t have to be! Check out these do’s and don’ts of cover letters to ensure you’re presenting yourself to potential employers in the best way possible.

DO include a formal heading with your name and address as well as the contact information for the person you address the letter to.

DON’T write too much. Three detailed paragraphs should take up no more than about ¾ of a page.  Brevity and concision are key!

DO spend time thinking about what traits you want to highlight about yourself. Make sure you’re engaging the reader right away and emphasizing the qualities that make you a perfect fit for the job.

DON’T use too many personal pronouns. Nix any extraneous “I think,” “I feel,” “I believe” phrases.

DO your research on the organization and make sure to include specific details about its mission/services. This will assure the employer that the cover letter is personal and that you’re knowledgeable about the position, which will go a long way in making you a competitive candidate!

DON’T make a form letter and just change the organization’s name for each different application. Employer’s will easily be able to tell it’s not a customized letter.

DO read through the job requirements and make sure you mention experiences and qualities about yourself that fit the description.

DON’T forget to convey enthusiasm for the position and use positive language and tone!
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My Alumni Job Shadowing Experience | EDUCATION


Full Name: Meghan Lewis
Class Year: 2018
Major: Mathematics
Shadowing Visit Site: The Peck School

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

My visit at The Peck School spanned the entire day – starting early in the morning with a full staff meeting to sitting in and watching all of Mr. Loveday’s middle school science classes. I was able to see the reality of teaching from a different perspective and all the work that goes into preparing a lecture for a day of class.

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

At the beginning of this year, I started to consider a path in education using my mathematics degree. Utilizing the Alumni Job Shadowing Program through Holy Cross, I got first hand experience of what my future career would entail and further influenced me to pursue this field.

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

My alumni host Mr. Tim Loveday not only answered my abundance of questions about further education to become a teacher with a bachelor’s degree not in education but he also helped me determine what kind of job I should try to secure for the summer.

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

You can research all about a job as much as you want but you never get the full experience until you are right there in the action! Participating in the Alumni Job Shadowing Program will expose you to all aspects of your desired career and can help you solidify your path after graduation.
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Be Ready To Work On Wall Street. Here Is How

Here are a few tips, must dos, recommendations, and a timeline too from Pam Ahearn, senior associate director for the Center for Career Development. Pam is the industry advisor for Financial Services, working within the Accounting, Finance, Consulting, Insurance and Real Estate Career Community. Pam works closely with alumni in the industry on the internship recruiting initiatives.

Q:  What should students interested in Wall Street know?

A: Financial Services is a very competitive industry.  If you want to work on Wall Street immediately following graduation, you must secure a summer analyst position your junior summer.  These summer analyst roles are incredibly competitive and Holy Cross is not a target school for the banks.

Q: How does a student secure one of these internships?

A:  Students interested in the industry can do many things to make themselves stronger candidates.

First and foremost, do well academically: GPA is the most likely the first thing the banks will look at on your resume.  Ideally your cumulative GPA will be a 3.5 or above.  Students from Holy Cross have landed successfully with a lower GPA, but you will do yourself a favor by maintaining a solid GPA.

Gain knowledge of the industry:  Develop knowledge of the industry and the specific area within the industry where you see yourself as a good fit, read the Wall Street Journal daily, have an understanding of the markets, know what is going on in current events, follow a stock, sit on a desk by shadowing an alumni (deadline for the summer program is April 18) or personal connection, and check out the Vault Guides in Crusader Connections. Be able to articulate this knowledge.

Show a demonstrated interest in finance:  Join the Finance Club, attend Finance Boot Camp through the Pre-Business Program (fall and/or spring break), act as treasurer of your club, shadow alumni, take quantitative courses at Holy Cross and do an internship where you hone your professional skill set (ideally within finance).  Be sure to tailor your resume to the industry.

Network:  Start with your peers who interned on Wall Street last summer. Ask them questions and learn more about what they did as a summer analyst. Contact young alumni at the banks to discuss your interests and goals.  Reach out to more senior alumni who have been on the job between 4-10 years.  Finally, have conversations with seasoned alumni in the industry once you have a solid understanding of your interests and skills, and you can articulate these effectively.  Please do not waste anyone’s time and always say thank you!

Attend events: Avail yourselves of opportunities both on campus and off campus. Attend the Holy Cross Finance Networking Reception in New York in December and the Holy Cross Finance Networking Reception in Boston on April 12, 2017.  Apply for *diversity initiatives (if applicable), apply for receptions and events hosted by the banks in Boston and New York, attend panels hosted by Career Development and Pre-Business. Many times these events are targeted towards first year and sophomore students. Log on to Crusader Connections daily to view opportunities.

Leadership skills and service: Get involved on campus. Work with a non-profit. Volunteer. Take on leadership roles as you progress at Holy Cross.

*Diversity on Wall Street = Women, students of color (Black, Latino/a, Native American), First Generation and students identifying within the LGBTQ community.

Q: Wow. There is a lot that goes into being successful in this industry. Do you have any other recommendations?

A: Not every student is going to be successful in their hunt for Wall Street. Definitely set that as your goal but know that there are lots of other opportunities within “finance” that might be an even better fit for you. Crusader Connections is our one stop shop for internships and full time jobs. Alumni are eager to hire Holy Cross students. Pay special attention to positions with #CHC (Crusaders Hiring Crusaders).

The trend this past fall was that the banks accelerated their recruiting efforts. Below is the timeline for the 2016-2017 academic year. I suspect that things will be accelerated again for the 2017-2018 academic year.  BE READY.

RECRUITING TIMELINE (2016-2017)

FALL
Deadlines in Crusader Connections and banks’ websites
FALL/ EARLY WINTER
Superdays (day-long interview at bank)
SPRING
Networking events and diversity initiatives
SUMMER
Pam works with banks and other financial institutions to get positions posted in Crusader Connections
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Career Horoscopes: Netflix Edition

What you binge watch on Netflix says a lot about your future career…

 

HOUSE OF CARDS | LAW & ORDER: SVU

You love any show with police chases, dramatic political backstabbing, or increasingly intense background music.  If you’ve ever binge-watched Law and Order or debated your friends about the Underwood’s/Clinton’s comparison you definitely fall into this category.  Consider careers in government, international affairs, or law – high stakes political endeavors are totally your thing.

 

GILMORE GIRLS | GLEE

You’re all about a good tug on the heartstrings and you love putting good vibes out into the world.  You’ve never had a bad day that Rory and Lorelai’s banter or the Glee version of Don’t Stop Believin’ can’t fix.  If you find that your Netflix shows of choice tend more towards the heartwarming side, you would be a perfect fit for careers in education, non-profit, or human services.

 

THE LEAGUE

You thrive in the spotlight and are constantly on the go.  You’re passion for sports and entertainment is unparalleled, and this carries into your Netflix binge choices as well.  If you’re known for quoting The League way too often or for ranting about Coach Taylor’s outstanding moral fiber, you might be interested in careers in sports, arts, or entertainment industries.

 

STRANGER THINGS | CRIMINAL MIND

Calling all critical thinkers!  You love putting your problem solving skills to the test, so you appreciate a good mystery in your Netflix show of choice.  If you were swept up in the sci-fi thrill of Stranger Things or pride yourself on beating the Criminal Minds detectives to cracking the case, then you definitely fall into this category.  Your analytical thinking skills would serve you well in careers in technology, engineering, or the physical sciences.

 

NEW GIRL | 30 ROCK

You’re extroverted and outgoing (some might even say quirky), so your go-to shows should be no less fun!  If you can relate all too well to every Liz Lemon “blerg” or find yourself admiring Jess’s eccentric fashion choices on New Girl, then you have a unique creativity and comedic sense-of-self that could help you go far in careers in marketing, media, communications, or advertising.

 

GREY’S ANATOMY | SCRUBS

Cue The Fray’s “How to Save a Life.”  You’ve always been passionate about helping others, which has led you to consider careers in the health professions and life sciences.  As a result, you fill your Netflix queue with shows to help you prepare for the role.   Here’s hoping McDreamy’s exist at every hospital!

 

BREAKING BAD | GOSSIP GIRL

You are fascinated with shows where the characters are motivated by money.  Maybe you were hooked on Walter White’s greed-driven meth-making obsession or you swooned when Chuck Bass flew all the way to Paris to win Blair over with her favorite macaroons.  Careers in finance, consulting, or accounting might be right up your alley because you’d be critically analyzing and interpreting real financial situations.

By Emily Bowman ’17

 
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Resume Do’s and Don’ts

By Emily Bowman ’17

Starting or updating a resume?  Check out these DO’S and DON’TS to make sure your’s is top-notch!

DO keep your bullet points concise and detailed.

DO spice up your word choice!  You didn’t just “file documents” you “completed various administrative tasks.”  You want to describe everything you did at a position in as compelling a way as possible.

DON’T use acronyms or club/job-specific jargon. Outside of the HC community, no one will know what SPUD or SGA are, so it’s more effective to simply list the name of your SPUD site or write out Student Government Association.

DON’T use a weird font.  Comic Sans might seem unique but it will likely come across as unprofessional.  Play it safe with Times New Roman.

DO get your resume to fit on one page.  Concision is key!

DON’T undersell yourself. No time humblebrags, talk about how awesome you are!

DO keep your formatting consistent.  If you center one heading, then center all of them.  If you italicize one job title, do the same for the rest as well.

DON’T use personal pronouns in your bullet points.  Instead, start off with a strong action verb.

DO swing by the Center for Career Development (Hogan 203) to have your resume checked over by a counselor or Peer Career Assistant!
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What Does Having a Career Actually Mean?

By Cassie Naimie ’17, Emily Bowman ’17

Afraid you’re going to get stuck in something? Think again! A successful career path is always changing.

 

ca·reer  noun  an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life and with opportunities for progress.

Used in a Sentence
Your CAREER will be constantly changing and shifting as you develop new passions and skills.  Take comfort in the fact that your first career will most likely not be your last.  There are many roads to the same direction.

 

fu·ture  noun  the time or a period of time following the moment of speaking or writing; time regarded as still to come.

Used in a Sentence
The FUTURE is exciting, not scary!  Make sure you’re seizing every opportunity to make your future the best it can be by planning ahead now.  A good first step is a visit to the Center for Career Development!

 

path  noun  a way or track laid down for walking or made by continual treading.

Used in a Sentence
Your career PATH may not be clear to you right now… and that’s completely fine! The important thing is to understand is that determining your path requires serious thought and action, so don’t miss a chance to come into the Center for Career Development and start figuring things out!