Meet Ms. Maggio ’82, a 25+ year Beijing resident, former corporate attorney turned visual arts entrepreneur, and director of Pékin Fine Arts, a Beijing and Hong Kong based contemporary art gallery and art advisory consultancy.
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 decision to attend law school, become a member of the NY and MA bars and a corporate attorney, and prior to graduation from law school to intern summers in Asia; and finally, my decision to learn Chinese, spoken and written by attending first University of Hong Kong and after, Beijing Normal University, post law school. One learns and decides what is a good fit only after challenging oneself to go beyond one’s comfort zones.
What were you involved in when you were on campus?
Many things; studying, and also internships in Washington DC, including one summer internship in Senator Ted Kennedy’s office. I enjoyed learning about literature (tutorial on James Joyce; new approaches to mental illness through literature and art), feminism, and improved race relation causes.
What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?
Psychology. I initially aimed at becoming a psychologist, then opted instead to go to law school. My psychology studies helped me in both of my careers as corporate lawyer and later as contemporary visual arts entrepreneur!
What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?
I learned how to get along with, and how to communicate with, people from different backgrounds and regions, and the importance of diversity not only on a college campus but also in one’s life work. I also enjoyed writing and feel Holy Cross gave me a strong foundation in essay and article writing.
What advice do you have for students on campus today?
Seek out the students coming from far away places, places you have never visited, and all students from near and far of ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds not of your own. Take the time to get to know them and their stories, backgrounds and ambitions. Celebrate difference and diversity on a daily basis. Learn – really learn – a foreign language!
Full Name: Andrew Truong Class Year: 2017 Major: Political Science and Spanish Shadowing Visit Site: Cetrulo LLP
Describe your visit and what did you gain from the experience?
I arrived at Cetrulo LLP in the morning and met with Mr. Bryan Abramoske, an attorney at the firm and my alumni match. We first went to his office and discussed both what he does and what the firm does in general. Afterwards, we took a tour of the office and Mr. Abramoske was dedicated to having me meet employees all around the firm to give me as many different perspectives as possible, from paralegals to partners, and even a judge. I was able to meet various HC alumni that work at the firm as well, who all also shared their perspectives and advice about transitioning to life after graduation.
I feel that I was able to see many perspectives on what a career in law could look like, and what paths people had taken from undergrad to where they are today. This all helped show the various potential options that I could take. I also felt that I connected very well with Mr. Abramoske, who shared a lot of wisdom and advice with me, and even lent me a book he thought I’d enjoy reading. He offered to be a resource for me for any questions I might have in the future.
How did this experience influence or connect to your future career plans/goals?
This experience definitely reaffirmed my future career goals of pursuing a career in law. By shadowing at Cetrulo, I was able to see and experience a mid-sized private law firm. I had previous experience working in nonprofit and small private firms, so this experience provided me with a different perspective and option of what my future could look like.
What is some helpful advice your alumni host shared with you?
Some of the most helpful advice my alumni host shared with me was to keep an open mind regarding the future and career plans. Even if you have an idea of the path you want to take, things almost never go exactly as planned. So, while having a direction to move towards is good, being flexible and open to change on the path is good, because you’ll gain a lot of knowledge and experience in the process and will ultimately end up where you want to be.
Why would you recommend the Alumni Job Shadowing Program to other students?
The Alumni Job Shadowing Program is a fantastic opportunity for students of all grade levels. I participated in the program both my sophomore year and this past year as a senior and definitely found the experience worthwhile both times. By participating in the program you get to see and experience what a profession is like, what it entails, and what it is like to be in the position firsthand. You may get reaffirmation of a career choice that you’re looking into, or you might realize that a certain career is not what you want to do. Which is also just as, if not more, helpful. You might find an area or position you hadn’t thought of that you end up really liking and want to pursue afterwards. The more experience with and exposure you have to the real world, the better prepared you are to move towards your professional goals after undergrad. In addition, you get the opportunity to connect personally with another HC alum who wants to help you further yourself on your career path that can also serve as a resource beyond your shadowing experience.
Name: Payton Shubrick Class Year: 2015 Title: R&D Lab Manager (Research and Development Lab Manager) Organization Name: MassMutual Major: Political Science
What does your job entail?
My role is to manage R&D activities for the company, specific to home office employees. What that means is I attempt to solve business problems leveraging emerging technologies as well as exploring technologies that could impact our industry in the next 12-18 months. What does that mean in plain English? I look for the return on investment a technology can offer. Can we save 2 million dollars be leveraging VR for training sessions as opposed to the current model of paying facilitators and having in classroom sessions?
How has your Holy Cross education contributed to your success?
My Holy Cross education has contributed to my success in many ways. At Holy Cross, I was able to grow – socially, intellectually, ethically, etc. I often find myself harnessing skills that I developed in both the classroom and student activities, like SGA and BSU, to propel me forward professionally. At Holy Cross, I was able to develop a greater sense of awareness of who I was as a person and how I can impact the world around me. With that mindset, you can rethink traditional business problems with many lenses to come up with a solution and then be able to present that idea in a well-written document or verbal presentation.
What skills are most important in your day to day work?
The most important skill in my work is being able to check, adjust, and pivot. Unlike traditional career paths with technology, you can come up with a solution and then discard the entire thing for something better because a smart algorithm can now be applied. This means you can’t grow too attached to one solution or one way to solve a problem. Everything is a fair game all the time and things change rapidly, so accept change early and fast to make life easier later.
What advice would you give to a Holy Cross student looking to enter your field?
Start studying trends in technology now. Virtual/ augmented reality, chatbots, algorithms, autonomous driving cars, artificial intelligence are real and going to change the world around us. In your day to day, life start to think about how things can simplify your life and delivery information before you know you want it.
Thinking about a career in the arts/entertainment industry? Read on for an inside look at how your Holy Cross liberal arts education can lead to working in TV and Film.
Meet Alum Mike Dussault ’99, Creative Executive at The Tannenbaum Co.(CBS)
In one sentence, what does your job entail?
We are based out of CBS Studios and develop scripted TV shows for broadcast, cable and streaming outlets.
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 got my MFA in TV Production at Loyola Marymount University after graduating from Holy Cross. I interned for director Jay Roach while at LMU and that led me to my first job as an assistant at a talent agency. The entire TV and Film industries all run through the agencies and it was those connections that led to me ending up at The Tannenbaum Company where I’ve been for over 10 years. Agency jobs are long hours and low pay, but the exposure was invaluable for not only seeing what kind of company I wanted to move to, but also hearing about jobs when they opened up before anyone else. Really that year at the agency might’ve been more impactful on my career than getting my MFA.
What were you involved in when you were on campus?
Academics (obviously), Eucharistic Minister and ice hockey.
What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?
Psychology. I think this major was far more helpful overall than my MFA in TV Production was because it gave me a different perspective than most regular film school grads. It was especially useful as I got into developing scripts and working with writers on character and story development. I come at story problems from a different place than many colleagues.
What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?
Reading is maybe the most important thing I do at my job and being able to read critically, to break down stories and characters, is essential. All day, every day there are scripts and pitches to read and discuss with my co-workers. You must be able to quickly take something in and give constructive notes to writers to get projects in the best place possible before we pass material up the flagpole to our studio and networks. This is my favorite part of my job and I’d never be able to do it without the critical reading skills that were honed at Holy Cross.
Also being able to work hard and being unflinching in the face of inevitable setbacks were critical things I learned in my experiences on the hill.
What advice do you have for students on campus today?
There isn’t one way to do anything. Everyone has their own path. Find your passion and then find a way to immerse yourself in the companies and people who do it everyday. The more people you meet, the more people who know what your passion is, the more people who might be able to help you. Get as many new and different experiences as you can to help you stand out. Don’t get discouraged by those who find their passion or are more successful earlier than you. Stay the course and never be afraid to take big swings at big opportunities. And never ever let your failures deter you. If you’re not failing you’re not truly trying!
Name: Alexander Bonano Class Year: 2017 Major: Latin American & Latino Studies Minor: Global Health Studies Shadowing Visit Site: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Describe your visit and what did you gain from the experience?
My visit to Vertex was definitely one of the best experiences I had and I am glad to have it had it as my first job shadowing experience through the College of the Holy Cross. As a student who took science courses, I felt completely at home. The entire building is decorated with a chemical theme; the walls had organic chemistry reactions on the walls, the couches had a periodic element pillows, and each floor of the building was a different “element.” Also, refreshments were served while I was waiting to be seen, which definitely made me feel welcomed. During my time at Vertex, I sat on three different meetings and I began to see what the Legal Counsel does and through this, I was able to understand the roles of the other departments of Vertex as well. From there, we had lunch and on Wednesdays they have an Indian vendor come. Sidenote, I love Indian food so my day was definitely made. At lunch, I spoke with my alumni’s co-workers and learned more about them and their experience working at Vertex. The conversation soon shifted into a semi-debate about knowing what is that one wants to pursue and if it is essential to always plan ahead and have concrete agendas. I really enjoyed conversing on this topic, as they all gave me really good advice on keeping an open mind, and not limiting myself from potential opportunities. I then got a full tour of the building, and learned about the learning center that BPS (Boston Public Schools) utilizes for their science courses as a new initiative to incite more interest in the sciences. After that, it was time to return home and my host offered me a ride since she drives my way. All in all, it was an amazing experience and I am glad I did experienced it.
How did this experience influence or connect to your future career plans/goals?
The experience allowed me to see that the Public/Global Health realm is super multifaceted and therefore allows one to hold a myriad of different positions and still contribute to the field. For example, my alumni host is a lawyer but the work that she does benefits the health of the patients who buy and take the medications produced by the company. So with that being said, it allowed to me to open myself more to the possibilities of different opportunities that could come my way. In thinking of graduate school, programs, I have found more interesting and unique programs that are not necessarily the “essential” degrees in Public/Global Health.
What is some helpful advice your alumni host shared with you?
After the conversation at lunch, she pulled me aside and made it quite clear that I do not need to know what I want to do before graduating. She gave her example of working first, and then realizing that she wanted to be a lawyer. So with that being said, she wanted me to know that there is no race to get to the career that is meant for me. Just keep being open and taking opportunities and eventually I’ll get there. To end, I’ll offer this quote “focus on the roots and not the fruits.”
Why would you recommend the Alumni Job Shadowing Program to other students?
Definitely! It was an awesome experience and was helpful in reinforcing the career path that I’ve chosen.
Major: English, with a Creative Writing Concentration and Pre-Med
Job: Marketing Operations Assistant at Scholastic
Industry: Publishing
Favorite Class: It’s hard for me to choose just one! I really enjoyed the upper level English classes I was able to take, particularly the seminar I did on Jane Austen. I also loved my courses focusing on 19th century British literature and all the Creative Writing classes. I had an opportunity to take Screenwriting and learned so much more than I ever thought I would about movies. I have to say Biology as well, just because it was always a passion of mine.
Campus Involvement: Student Health Awareness Peer Educators (SHAPE), Running Club, Sigma Tau Delta, SPUD
College Internship/Work Experience (if you were in Summer Internship Program, Academic Internship Program,other programs): I participated in SIP and did an internship with Nickelodeon for a TV show on Nick Jr. called “Team Umizoomi.”
What were some of the most defining events/opportunities/aspects of your time at Holy Cross?
Without SIP, I am not sure I would have ever moved to New York City. That program definitely shaped my life because I had the opportunity to try something completely new, and it was incredible. It gave me the push I needed to reach outside my comfort zone. From that point on, I knew I was going to New York after graduation. I knew I wanted to do something with education and children, and it ultimately led me to where I am today.
What is one thing someone should be certain to do before they graduate?
Make sure you have your resume ready to send out to potential employers. I would suggest also writing as many cover letters as you can and to take advantage of Career Planning. Have people read your resume and cover letters to get feedback. Before you know it, you’ll be sending out so many of these and you’ll want to feel comfortable and confident. The same thing also goes for interviews. Practice definitely helps! Go to networking events and look at the Career Advisor Network (it’s not so easy once you’ve graduated!). Even just talking to people about what they do might help you narrow down your own interests and aspirations.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your field?
Keep an open mind. Any position in publishing, whether it’s editorial or marketing, will teach you so much about the industry. If you’re not sure where exactly you want to be, just apply to everything and go from there. There’s so much opportunity for movement in publishing, and you can really do anything (online game design included!). If you can, try to find a mentor in another department. Their insight and advice will be so valuable to you. Learning about the industry from their perspective will not only broaden your understanding of publishing, but it will help you discover what you might ultimately be interested in.
What skills have you found most useful in your professional life that you attribute from learning at Holy Cross?
Project management is a huge part of my job, and I learned that just from juggling my own homework, activities, and personal life at Holy Cross. Because the course load and studying consumes so much of your time, you have to prioritize and make room for meetings, events, and time with friends. I feel comfortable keeping track of deadlines and schedules at work because I used that type of organization every day in college.
You also interact with alumni and professors so frequently at Holy Cross that you grow accustomed to speaking and writing professionally. I did not feel as intimidated once I started looking for a job because I was so used to corresponding this way.
What is the most important advice you could give a student on obtaining an internship or a job?
Someone once told me, “Don’t stress too much. You will get a job.” I definitely stressed, but they were right. It did happen, and it will happen for you. It might take a while, and sometimes you’ll feel frustrated and scared, but don’t give up. Also, don’t be afraid to say no to a job offer if it doesn’t feel quite right for you. You might apply to so many different jobs and go on so many different interviews, but remember that you’re also looking for a good fit for you. If something just doesn’t feel like the direction you want to go in, it’s ok to wait and try for something else. It’s also ok if you have no idea what you want to do. Any position you end up taking will help lead you to your dream job.
Welcome Crusaders to the Twitter Edition of our #CareerPlanningBlog where we’ll be talking all about one of your favorite places to visit, #Twitter and how it can help you on your path to landing a great internship/job opportunity.
We all know how fun #twitter is in communicating thoughts, ideas and news! Hash-tag’s have become a huge part of our modern day lingo and many #companies look to twitter as a tool for reaching out to customers and clients as well as sharing information on #JobOpening’s and opportunities available to apply for. You may have thought twitter was all about your friends cleverly communicating every aspect of their life (even the aspects you don’t want to hear about), but in fact 77% of Fortune 500 companies actively use twitter. Why? #ThreeReasons
1. #Connect With Customers 2.#Visibility 3. #Self-Promotion
You may now be thinking, “So why is Twitter so important for an undergraduate seeking career advice at Holy Cross?”
Well…Here at the Career Planning Center, we want to educate you about all ways of communication between students and the sources that help provide news/opportunities about exciting careers and internships. As it just so happens, we also have not ONE but TWO twitter accounts @CrusaderCareers & @HCSIP, which we would like to use in the most efficient of ways, so…we have come up with an initiative to better help you reach alumni who are currently in your preferred field.
Here’s what you have to do!
1. TWEET US. (ANYTHING!) most importantly, we want to hear your questions!
Tweet us your questions using #HCCareerQuestionsor#HCCQand we’ll do our best to have that question answered by an alumni who has experience which can help you in your career endeavors. WHO KNOWS! you might get paired with an alumni who may just land you your next internship at a Fortune 500!
All you have to do is send a simple Tweet. Here are some possible questions asked by completely imaginary HC Students:
@HCSophomore23: Hey I’m interested in marketing and advertising, what internships are out there for me?#HCCareerQuestions
@KingoftheHill77: Hi, Is there a place I can find out more about Business Programs at the Graduate School level? #HCCQ #HCCareerQuestions
@LarrytheCrusader: I took an internship at GE this summer, can I please connect with someone who has experience with this company?#HCCQ
@MaddieFitzgerald358: Hey I’m a junior interested in entering the fashion and designer world, is there anyone I can contact? #HCCareerQuestions
So next time you’re daydreaming about where you’ll end up after the hill, or your scrolling down your timeline and run into a question, TWEET US!@CrusaderCareersor@HCSIP. We’ll be happy to answer and/or send it to a Alum in that same field.
Your friends in Hogan 203 have some BIG NEWS to unveil!
…Drum Roll Pleeeease…
The Holy Cross Career Planning Center is excited to announce our new virtual, 24/7, user-friendly program that helps determine exactly what career is best for you!Through our continued efforts to meet your career management needs, we have partnered with CareerBeam to bring you the best career development information and the best company and industry research tools, available in the market.Now you can tap into the hidden market of jobs and internships by accessing over 60 million companies and hundreds of industry segments. CareerBeam also allows you to identify millions of international companies in more than 170 countries.
A few highlights and features now available to you include:
Research on hundreds of Industries. Access to information such as recent developments, business challenges, trends and opportunities on hundreds of industry segments – get current financial information and insights as well.
Job Postings. The most updated job posting databases containing millions of jobs from multiple sources including internships, entry-level, professional and executive jobs. Postings are continuously authenticated to remove outdated postings and you can create alerts and find connections through social media.
Self-evaluation.Take a look at who you are today. CareerBeam’s unique career assessment tools factor in your values, temperament, interests and personality to help you develop — and achieve — career goals.
Create professional resumes and cover letters. Whether you are writing a first-time resume or updating a previous one, use CareerBeam for building an accomplishment-based resume and cover letter.
Prepare for Interview and Beyond. Review interview questions with tips on answers; view videos of effective responses; or record your own answers for review and feedback.
Networking & Social Media.Social media integration allowing users to leverage their contacts in Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to network and identify potential connections and positions.
How do I use CareerBeam?
Take up to fifteen assessments/exercises that combine to produce a personalized Career Profile report.
Research 60 million companies, 70 million industry contacts, in-depth industry profiles, detailed occupational intelligence, and firms in over 170 different countries.
Access 24/7 for everything you need related to your career, all in one.
To self-register and begin using the CareerBeam service,CLICK HERE.
Welcome Crusaders to this week’s Career Planning Blog Post…hosted by yours truly in the office of Hogan 203.
This week we are excited to introduce you to the new Passport Careerprogram—your online career resource that will help you to explore opportunities around the world! Yes… THE WORLD!
Whether you’re looking to get away from the cold New England winters or just curious of the wonderful experience interning or working abroad might bring check out PASSPORT CAREER!
Around this time you may be seeking a job, internship, volunteer work, or are studying abroad. In any situation, Passport Career provides extensive resources, guidance, strategies, tools and support to help you make your career move!
Here we have outlined 5 easy tips to getting started with Passport Career:
b. Click on Have a Registration Key? on the upper right corner of the homepage –>
c. Enter this Registration Key (notice: all lowercase & only 1 “s”): HOLYCROS
d. Fill out the brief registration form. Use your school email address (except alumni) to create your login/password for future use and you’re ready to roll!
e. Use your email/password to login in the future.
2.CHECK OUT THE TOOLS
On the menu bar, you will find quick access to several of the tools available, including the H1B Employer Database for non-Americans seeking jobs or internships in the USA. You will also find a direct link to the International Jobs/Intern Portal, which is updated daily with more than 1,000,000 jobs/internships in 203 countries.
JOIN THE INTRODUCTORY WEBINAR
To maximize the benefits of Passport Career, we suggest you immediately sign up for the webinar, called Using Passport Career Strategically. This webinar is offered monthly at different times and is an excellent way to help you take advantage of all the Passport Career system has to offer you. Click on Webinarsat the top of the page.
GLOBAL OVERVIEW
We suggest that you begin by reviewing the guidance and strategies relevant to your situation in My Global Career Briefcase. Click on the My Briefcase link at the top of the page.
3. AVOID THE “ONE-VISIT” TRAP
In order to be successful with your exploration and/or transition, you need to think of Passport Career as your personal career assistant. We suggest that you schedule 15-30 minutes each week to explore further the content, resources and tools. People who use Passport Career regularly have the greatest chance of success with their career goals!
4. EXPLORE THE COUNTRIES & CITIES
There are many amazing photos and videos of the countries & cities featured throughout Passport Career. There are also more than 15,000 pages of expert career content! Take the time to learn about other places—especially their business culture, which is key (along with strategic networking) to successfully transitioning your career to a new location.
5. LOOKING FOR INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN’T FIND?
Click on the “HELP” link at the top of the page and fill out the form to send to your request or question OR, you can always send an email to info@passportcareer.com.
We want to hear from you!
Let us know how your job/internship search and career transition are moving along. What is working for you? Where do you need more help? What questions do you have? We are here to help you, so be sure to stay in communication with the Career Planning Center, Hogan 203.
To round out our Alumni Guest Posts for the 2012-13 year, we’re happy to present Tricia Dunn ’12, former HC Career Planning Marketing Intern (& Blogger!) and current member of the Human Resources team at Hanover Insurance Group.
Check out more about her job & advice for students pursuing a career at Hanover or in HR! __________________________________________________________________________
Hi Crusaders! It’s hard to believe that almost a year has passed since I graduated. And yet, while it
Tricia Dunn ’12
seems like just yesterday I was enjoying Cape Week and pre-graduation celebrations at the Pub, so much has happened since then that I can’t believe college was only a year ago.
I’m currently going on a year at The Hanover Insurance Group, where I work in the Human Resources department and am part of the company’s Future Leader’s Program. I’ve been lucky to try a variety of projects during this year here and am learning a lot. While I have enjoyed this past year and the growth and change it has brought, I will admit I do get a little nostalgic for HC sometimes. So, in that spirit, let’s pretend we’re meeting up in the pub for a $2 beer (side note: do any of you realize how great this is?!) and I’ll share what I’ve been up to over the past few months.
How did I end up at Hanover?
I first learned about The Hanover as a junior looking for internships. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do and was applying to internships in a variety of fields and locations. Two young alumni had a lobby table in Hogan and were recruiting for The Hanover—with cupcakes. No joke, I first learned about The Hanover due to my insatiable hunger for baked goods. One of them asked me if I was interested in applying for the internship program. Since I wasn’t really thinking about insurance, I didn’t take it seriously at first, but their enthusiasm for the company took me aback and I found myself connecting with a lot of the things they mentioned. The more I learned about Hanover, the more it sounded like a place I could like.
Fast forward three months and I returned to Holy Cross having enjoyed my internship and with an offer in hand for a full time position as part of The Hanover’s Future Leaders Program. While it was a little nerve wracking to commit to a company so soon into senior year, I was excited to join the program. I liked the idea of joining a training program in which I would be given more growth opportunities, mentorship, and cross-functional training.
Through the program, I’ll get a certificate in Business Analysis, learn about other business functions and get more access to leadership and mentoring opportunities than I probably would have otherwise. Also, I started with 40 other people – many of which I’ve become great friends with!
What do you specifically do there?
This is tough for me to answer because I worked on a diverse set of projects. I am currently in HR Operations, which supports and designs tactical solutions to get done in our department. In essence, we’re the back end people, on the ground, making sure everything runs smoothly. For example, I manage our relocation program; so when the company hires a new employee who needs to move for the job, I help set them up with our relocation vendor. I consult with the HR recruiters who are making the offer, manage vendor to ensure that it is meeting our employee’s need, pay invoices and run financial reports for our finance department.
I have also done some process improvement work for our Learning & Development group, which hosts and manages all of the enterprise-wide classes and learning programs. I took a look at how the operational work was being accomplished: how the online class sign up system worked, how the classes were being set up and hosted, etc., and was able to identify issues and and make recommendations to improve the user experience and improve efficiency. This project was fun because I got to do a lot of consulting work and the impact of my work was noticeable right away!
I think Operations was a good place to start because it provided me with foundational knowledge about
Co-workers decorate Tricia’s office!
the department and exposed me to all of the different areas within it. However, as I approach my one year mark with the company, I’m looking forward to trying something new. As of June, I will still be in HR, but I’ll be working with our Community Relations & Employee Engagement group. I’ve already begun to take on some more work in this area and am really enjoying it! I am currently managing the redesign of our career site (stay tuned for improvements!), writing pieces for our internal company newsletter, and planning events with our community partners. I’m looking forward to taking on more roles with marketing and helping others.
While I’m still not exactly sure what I want to do long-term, I am really happy to be where I am today. As mentioned, I am happy for my year in Operations, but I’ve always known I wanted to get into something more community-focused and more creative. Thankfully, I have had a lot of advocates at The Hanover who have mentored me and helped me get into this new role. As for long-term plans, I think the next year will be telling. I plan to continue to take on a diversity of projects to stretch my skills and interests in new ways. I think by doing this I will discern the next step most clearly and with the experiences I’ve had at HC and The Hanover I believe I’ll be ready to take it on!
Any advice for college students?
Yes! I have three that alumni have passed on to me and that I have learned in my one year in the proverbial real world:
1. Focus on the job role, not the job title.
Titles can be misleading and box you in to a job search. While titles hint at hint at what a job entails, there is usually more than meets the eye. It’s more accurate to approach a job by thinking about what you want your daily life to look like – do you like working with people? Doing something creative? Analytical? Are you passionate about research? Whatever that be, focus on those descriptive words and the type of work which you are seeking – rather than a title.
2. Advocate for what you’re interested in…
As a political science major and a studio art minor, I knew that Excel spreadsheets all day were not going to be my jam. Early on at my time at Hanover, I found myself enjoying my projects which were more creative, solidifying my interest in that area. I made sure my manager, mentors and others knew about it. As a result, I’ve been given more creative opportunities in my current position and will be transitioning to a more creative role full-time as of June.
3. …But be open.
As a newbie to the workforce, you’re bound to be doing projects and tasks you never thought you’d be interested in. Yeah, some of those projects are going to suck as much as you expected them to, but guaranteed you will learn something—and maybe even develop new interests—if you are open to it.
4. Drink more $2 beer.
Just kidding. Sort of. Have fun and enjoy the heck out of your time at Holy Cross! It’s a great experience and I encourage you all to make the most of your time there, in the classrooms, on the fields, in extracurricular and yes, even socially.
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Connect with this story?
Learn more about the opportunities at Hanover Insurance group here.
