Tag: business career community

Name: Paul L Gaudio

Class Year: 2017

Title: Client Advisor

Organization Name: Crestwood Advisors 

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

I provide personalized, comprehensive financial advice to help individuals achieve their goals and live their lives to the fullest.

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

During my Sophomore year at Holy Cross, I randomly stumbled upon a list of over 100 financial advisors in an issue of Boston Magazine. At the time, I didn’t know anything about financial planning, but I knew I should be looking for internship opportunities. I ripped those pages out of the magazine and emailed every advisor asking if I could work for free to gain experience. One of the advisors responded and mentioned that he had also gone to Holy Cross and would love to help me (Thank you, Tom!). This led to a paid internship the next summer, my first job out of college, and a passion for financial planning that grows stronger every day.

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

After just a few client meetings, I realized that being an advisor is an extremely rewarding experience. When you are someone’s trusted advisor, you get to experience and share their full range of emotions. You feel the thrill of giving them the green light to retire, or go on their dream vacation, but you’re also there to guide them through the most difficult times in their lives, such as losing a loved one. At every step, you are the one providing reassurance that they are going to be ok. I knew it was a good fit for me because I was having a positive impact on people’s lives. 

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

I was a member of the Holy Cross Rugby team and a site manager for Working for Worcester. I also spent a semester during my senior year as an intern for the Holy Cross Investment office. 

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

I was a Math Major, which kept me busy! In this industry, it certainly helps to be good with numbers. Does that mean you need to be a Math, Econ, Accounting, etc. major to be a successful financial advisor? Not at all. Being skilled with numbers is valuable, but more importantly, you need to be curious, empathetic, and a good listener. This industry is shaped by constant change and innovation, which keeps the work exciting and the learning never ending.

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

At Holy Cross, I truly learned to enjoy being a man for others. When you find something that you are passionate about and translate your passion into an opportunity to help others, it is incredibly powerful. If you continuously capitalize on opportunities to help others in your profession, you create value that will naturally lead to success.

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

If you think you might be interested in something, then pursue it— it could lead to a passion! In college, it is ok to feel unsure of what you want to do, but you need to put in the work to allow opportunities to present themselves. The reason I am where I am today is because I took the initiative to email 100+ advisors asking for an opportunity to learn. Take advantage of the Holy Cross community to help you find your passion and think outside of the box!

Name: Olivia Shamleffer

Class Year: 2022.5 (December 2022)

Title: Associate, Emerging Leaders Program

Organization Name: Fidelity Investments 

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

I’m part of an 18-month rotational program aimed at cross-unit experience building and leadership training, along with twenty other first-year associates who all have liberal arts degrees. 

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?  

Handshake! I also networked with current associates and alums of the program who went to Holy Cross, as well as more senior HC alums at Fidelity. I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do after college, so the rotational aspect of the program really stood out to me – I’ll have on-the-desk experience in four different departments by the end of it. Learning about the historically strong connection between Holy Cross and Fidelity also especially made me want to work there

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

 I was involved with Mock Trial all four years and was co-president for the last two. I also worked in the Religious Studies Department for three years! 

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

International Studies. I wanted to major in something that increased my critical thinking skills and taught me how to write well, not geared toward specific future career paths. I went into interviews feeling extremely confident in my soft skills, even if I didn’t have a business or numbers background. 

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

The ability to think creatively. You learn how to make unique connections quickly, which is a huge benefit in the workplace. Another skill is the emphasis on being curious and asking good questions – it’s the quickest way to seem like the most engaged person in the room in my opinion. 

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

Don’t be intimated that you don’t come from a traditional business school background! Lean into the unique strengths gained from having a liberal arts education instead of focusing on trying to overcome perceived deficits in technical skills. And, of course, take advantage of the HC alumni network!

Name: Elizabeth DeLuca

Class Year: 2021

Title: Senior Associate Consultant

Organization Name: Hayden Consulting Group

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

My role as an SAC is to support project teams with addressing our clients’ market access questions, typically by conducting research and translating it into digestible strategic findings.

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

I completed pre-med courses at Holy Cross with the end goal of attending medical school. After graduation, I worked in a hospital and realized that medical school was not what I wanted. I began exploring other career paths and was drawn to life sciences consulting as a way to leverage my healthcare interest and problem-solving skills in a new context. Through a Holy Cross alumni, I was introduced to Hayden Consulting Group and have been there for about 2 years now.

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

Hayden is a good fit for me because I feel excited about the work I do and going to work. I typically work on 2 projects at a time which last ~3 months each, so the work I am doing and the project teams I am working on are always changing. I feel like I am constantly learning because Hayden is so focused on professional development; they have taught me how to code, conduct primary market research, create XLS models, etc. I think what makes Hayden stand out is the company culture that they have created. It is a place where I am welcome to speak in company meetings and I have a relationship with the founders.

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

I was a member of Student Programs for Urban Development (SPUD) and Counseling Outreach Peer Educator (COPE). I was also a Chemistry lab TA and STEM+E tutor.

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

I was a Chemistry major at Holy Cross and on the pre-med track. Looking back, I think in college I did not have a clear idea of alternative career paths for someone who was interested in the sciences/healthcare outside of becoming a physician. In my current role at Hayden, I leverage the knowledge I gained at Holy Cross when conducting background research on pharmaceutical products, understanding a treatment landscape, crafting discussion guides for physicians, etc.

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

The most valuable skill I learned from Holy Cross is analytical problem-solving. I think that this way of thinking is something I gained from my chemistry major and supports my everyday work. Our goal at Hayden is to answer our clients’ complex questions, so being able to take a problem and break it down into parts that can be answered is critical.

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

Graduating is such a special time in your life when you will truly become independent. Take some time and really think about what it is that you want to do and try to find a piece of that in your first job. You can build from there! And utilize the Holy Cross network – people are very willing to help in my experience.

Name: Benjamin Howe

Class Year: 1996

Title: Audit Manager

Organization Name: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Inspector General

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

Audit managers supervise a team that conducts performance audits of VA programs and operations. 

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

I moved back to New England from Washington, DC in 2002 and was looking for federal opportunities in the greater Boston area. During that search, I identified the Government Accountability Office as an opportunity I was interested in pursuing because of its innovative professional development program. I have been conducting performance audits ever since.

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

While auditing can be done on your own, I also enjoy the opportunities to work closely in teams. I also appreciate that this work requires professional skepticism, objectivity, and good oral and written communication. 

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

I worked on the Holy Cross newspaper and yearbook.

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

I was a history and Spanish major. After college, I completed my Master of Public and International Affairs at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) at the University of Pittsburgh. While I was completing my degree at GSPIA, I interned for different government organizations. I later moved to Washington and started my federal career on Capitol Hill.     

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

I developed strong research and writing skills during my time at Holy Cross that have served me well during my career.

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

I would recommend volunteering with professional organizations in your prospective career field. By becoming a member of the Boston Chapter of the AGA, I have built strong professional connections while positively impacting my community. I have also taken advantage of the leadership opportunities offered by the Chapter to show my leadership skills as a young professional. As a student interested in a financial management career, I would highly recommend taking advantage of the opportunities AGA offers. In addition, students can join the group for free!

Name: Kyle Irvine

Class Year: 2021

Title: Senior Associate Consultant

Organization Name: Hayden Consulting Group

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

I collaborate with teams to advise & deliver recommendations to pharmaceutical manufacturers on questions related to commercial strategy, product launch, organizational development & design, and patient access & affordability.

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 original plan after graduation was to attend graduate school but as a COVID-era graduate, I knew I needed a break from school. A few of my professors and mentors had worked in consulting prior to attending graduate school, so I figured it was a safe option. I began researching and applying and came across my current (and first) employer. Throughout the interview process, I was able to learn more about the kind of work I’d be doing and with whom I’d be doing it.

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

I was a four-year member of a number of musical ensembles through the Music Department, Chaplain’s Office, and Student Affairs, was a Tour Guide and Senior Interviewer in the Office of Admission, served as Co-Director of Academic Affairs for SGA, worked in Dinand and for the Economics Department, did research in the Economics Department, was a member of the College Honors and Economics Department Honors programs, and participated in the Spring Break Immersion Program and Dance Marathon.

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

I was a double major in Economics and Music, which allowed me to pursue a wide range of potential careers – it also always sparked a discussion in an interview or networking call!

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

Critical Thinking: Across all of the courses I took at Holy Cross, my classmates and I were always pushed to get to the “so what” on exams and in papers, which has been invaluable in my consulting career as we continue to provide clients with rich insights from our work.

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

Don’t stress about having it all figured out (easier said than done) – talk to people (friends, upperclass students, professors, alumni) and learn more about what you might be interested in!

Allie Silge

Class Year: 2020

Title: Wealth Strategy Associate

Organization Name:  UBS Private Wealth Management

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

I work on a team that serves Ultra High Net Worth Clients by managing their investments and providing them with holistic wealth management advice and services.

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?  

I participated in the Global Wealth Management Internship at UBS the summer before my senior year.  This program was great for getting my foot in the door and leveraging the Holy Cross network at the firm, which ultimately led for me to receive a full time offer at the bank.  Over the course of the summer I was able to learn more about Wealth Management and realized it was the perfect fit for me.  This industry specifically requires a unique skillset that is a cross between technical/analytical skills and social/people skills.  I loved how these two skillsets could be blended into a job that felt right for me. 

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

On campus I was involved in: Finance Club, SPUD, Eucharistic Ministry, and Club Tennis.

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

I was an Economics Major and Art History Minor.  My economics major largely affected my career decision as I was interested in the broader macro environment and how it affected financial markets.  I was further interested in how this affected someone’s personal financial investments and what types of investments do well in different macro situations.  Overall, I found the interconnectedness of the markets & the economy to be fascinating.

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

One of the most important things I learned at Holy Cross was how to write.  I learned this mainly through my history classes, and is truly an invaluable skill that differentiates me from my colleagues.

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

• First, I would say to cherish your time on the Hill – it goes by faster than you think!
• Second, I would say to keep an open mind when exploring your career options – it is always better to cast a wide net and be open to many different opportunities than to focus on one particular thing.  If anything, I’ve learned that your interests and strengths change as you develop and grow, so remaining open and malleable to this change is so important.

Name: Maggie Moriarty

 Class Year: 2020

 Title: Financial Services Consultant-Staff

 Organization Name: Ernst & Young

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

Every consulting project is very different, but overall my job entails working with financial services clients (banks, wealth management companies, and insurance companies) to offer them beneficial solutions, additional support, and guidance on tracking and completing either long-term or short term projects that enhance their company.  

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 three years at Holy Cross I always thought I wanted to go to law school, but after attending career fairs and networking with my HC Alumni network, I started to research more about the consulting industry. After further networking I was able to set up calls with HC alumni who worked for Ernst & Young, and ultimately landed an interview and the job. I knew consulting was a good fit for me because similar to being a lawyer, a consultant has several clients and projects throughout his or her career, so he or she is continuously learning and getting up to speed on different subject areas. The ability to transition from project to project greatly appealed to me, especially during the early stages of my career. In addition, I knew I wanted to work closely with others to achieve certain goals and deadlines. Being in constant communication with team members from within my company and/or the client company was appealing to me.

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

At Holy Cross, I was a member of the women’s lacrosse team, a member of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, a member of Holy Cross for a Cure, and a member of the pre-business program.

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

I majored in Political Science and thoroughly enjoyed learning about current events, policies and the law, as well as creating materials in either presentation or paper format on these topics.  I knew I wanted to take those interests and combine them with my interest in business. Consulting seemed to be a great fit for me because of the opportunity to explore how different policies effect the requirements and decisions of financial institutions, as well as the opportunity to communicate large amounts of information to an audience in an effective and concise manner.

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

The ability to synthesize large amounts of detailed information into big picture ideas/trends and time management/organization.

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

Continue to work hard and explore different activities and opportunities on campus that are outside of your comfort zone!