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Meet Alumna Sarah Street ’22, Communications Assistant, Federal Media

Name: Sarah Street

Class Year: 2022

Title: Communications Assistant, Federal Media

Organization Name: Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)

 

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

Still getting my bearings, but my job essentially entails fielding press requests, sending press releases, and providing support to multiple people on NRDC’s vast Media team. I act as a liaison between our experts at NRDC and reporters and help make sure all the work we’re doing is publicized and framed effectively for the public.

 

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?

Originally, my plan was to join the Peace Corps post-grad and do some environmental service abroad in the Philippines. However, with everything going on with COVID, the organization had basically shut down sending volunteers abroad and after not hearing anything for months after applying, I decided to start applying for jobs. I’ve known that I wanted to work for an environmental NGO if I had my choice but I applied for probably 60+ jobs in the environmental field in general. I was thrilled when I heard back from NRDC, both because the position in Federal Media was right up my alley as well as knowing the incredible work that NRDC does, especially in law and policy which is potentially where I see myself ending up! After interviewing, I was really excited about the opportunity, but I didn’t hear back from my first interview for weeks. Just about when I’d given up that I’d be going through to the next round, was scheduled for a panel interview… and got offered the job the next day! I knew from the panel that NRDC was the place for me based on the way they explained the collaborative and fast-paced culture, opportunities for professional development and advancement, their commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and just the warm and welcoming attitude they all greeted me with.

 

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

On campus, I was a member of the varsity women’s ice hockey team, I was secretary of Eco-Action, and Senior Editor of the Purple Literary Magazine. I also worked part-time at the Hart Center and participated in Working for Worcester. I also volunteered off-campus at Mass Audubon’s Broad Meadow Brook and had two internships while at school with the Humane Society of the US and Dismas House.

 

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

My major was International Studies and my minor was Environmental Studies. I picked up Environmental Studies my sophomore year after taking Environmental Political Philosophy with Professor Kendy Hess. That’s when I knew that I wanted to commit my life to the environment and since then, I’ve combined the global interdisciplinary knowledge I’ve gained in both my major and minor to look at careers for the planet that take into account our whole world and ways that we can work together to combat the climate crisis.

 

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

During my time at Holy Cross, I developed my ability to be a self-advocate. This has been in school, in sports, and in my professional career. By learning how to advocate effectively for myself with my professors, during internships, and in the community, I was able to graduate with three internships under my belt, my own money in the bank, the ability to time manage with a ton on my plate, a varsity letter, and a 3.8 GPA. Now, I’m using this skill in my career and helped me not only to get the job, but now that I have it. I’m excited to use my self advocacy skills to, ask for help when I need it, network internally, and pursue projects that I’m passionate about.

 

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

My advice for students on campus today is to get as much experience in the things that they are passionate about as they can. My internships have seriously set me up for success and put me ahead of a lot of my peers at NRDC who are starting from scratch. But, my other piece of advice is to just make the most out of your time at Holy Cross even if it doesn’t relate directly to the career you think you want. I am so glad I spent time on the Purple simply because I love poetry and ultimately, it still gave me skills I’m able to apply in my life now. I’m also grateful for all the times that I wasn’t doing work and was just spending time with my friends, because before you know it you’ll be out in the real world and these will be the memories you will most cherish.

 
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Meet Alumna Victoria Aramini ’14, Planning Manager at TJX

Meet Alumna Victoria Aramini ’14, Planning Manager at TJX

 

1. What is your favorite thing about your job and/or TJX?

My favorite thing about working at TJX is how people oriented the company is – I get to work with so many different types of people in a given day. I love my work as a Planning Manager where I help my team affect the bottom line, working to save the company money through our team’s allocation strategies.

 

2. What are some company perks that you enjoy?

In the summer the company participates in “Summer Fridays” where we get out at 1:oo pm – this is definitely one of the best company perks in my opinion!

 

3. Tell me about a cool opportunity you’ve taken advantage of or experienced while at TJX.

Travel is a big part of the TJX experience for associates in planning and buying. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel with various teams to different parts of the US.

 

4. How would you describe TJX’s philosophy on job growth/talent management?

At TJX, development is very important and associates drive their own development. There are a wide range of opportunities for associates to take advantage of – both formal (in the classroom) and informal (on the job).

 

5. What advice would you like to give to current Holy Cross students about their job/internship search?

As companies evaluate you and your qualifications as you search and apply for internships, make sure you take the time to evaluate these companies and think about their culture, their development offerings, etc.
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Meet Alum Genevra Le Voci ’09, Senior Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations

Meet Alum Genevra Le Voci ’09, Senior Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations at The Frick Collection

 

Name:  Genevra Le Voci

Class Year: 2009

Title: Senior Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations

Organization Name: The Frick Collection

 

In one sentence, what does your job entail?

My position at the Frick entails raising funds from foundation and corporate donors for special exhibitions, education programs, and the library in addition to growing the museum’s corporate membership program.

 

What were you involved in when you were on campus?

As a Holy Cross student I was involved with SPUD as a volunteer at Plumley Village and a member of Gesso, the student art club. At Gesso, we curated exhibitions of student art in the basement of the Hogan Campus Center. I co-chaired Gesso during my senior year. It was a lot of fun and a great way for me, an Art History major, to get to know my Studio Art peers better and to display their work. I also had two work study jobs (after I I worked in Kimball during freshman year, of course). I worked at the Archives and Special Collections at Dinand Library and at the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Art Gallery. These were both wonderful experiences–I expressed my interest in a career in museum work to Mark Savolis at the Archives and Roger Hankins, Director at the Cantor Art Gallery. They were both great supervisors and gave me the opportunity to work on projects that gave me a sense of what it might be like to work at a museum. At the Archives I researched and organized small exhibitions from the Archives collections that were displayed in cases in the Reading Room in Dinand (I worked on one of these with a fellow Art History major, which was especially fun). At the Cantor Gallery, I got the chance to assist in art handling when we installed and de-installed exhibitions.

 

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

I enrolled in Holy Cross as a Classics major but I also had a strong interest in Art History (I had a phenomenal art history teacher in high school) and I took Art History classes throughout my freshman year. I didn’t officially declare a double major in Classics and Art History until my sophomore year. A turning point was Medieval Art, a class I took with Professor Virginia Raguin the first semester of my sophomore year. At that point, I knew I wanted to so something in the visual arts. Professor Raguin was an amazing mentor–she guided my through countless internship applications (and was always a willing reference) and pushed me both academically and in my career expectations. Under her tutelage, I designed my own tour of the Worcester Art Museum on a topic in medieval art, something I had never done. She and Professor David Karmon (whose classes sparked my interest in Renaissance art) also advised my senior thesis.

At Holy Cross, I was able to delve into Art History and realize what I loved so much about it–how it was a way for understanding human experience and history visually. My Art History major made clear something I had only had an inkling of when I started college: that I wanted to work in a museum, or like institution, dedicated to bringing this experience–the discovery of visual art and culture–to the public.

 

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

Writing is a major component of my job. I am always writing proposals, grant applications, reports, and letters. At Holy Cross, I developed and honed my writing skills (because of Professor Ellen Perry in the Classics Department, to this day I avoid beginning sentences with participles). Most of the writing I do now is different from academic writing. However, I think if you are confident in writing academically, which to me is the most challenging, other types of writing may come more easily.

 

What advice do you have for students on campus today?

My advice is to explore what interests and challenges you. Take classes on subjects and topics that make you ask questions and think deeply. Go to office hours and talk with your professors. Do activities that you find rewarding. Evaluate these experiences and think “Is there something here I’d like to consider for a job and/or career?” Process this information and take advantage of the resources available on campus (the Center for Career Development and the Writer’s Workshop, to name a few).
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Meet Alumna Makayla Humphrey ’15 Associate Producer at CNN

 

Name: Makayla Humphrey
Clas Year: 2015
Title: Associate Producer
Organization Name: CNN

In one sentence, what does your job entail?

I help plan the rundown, conduct research and edit video for CNN’s Morning Program New Day.

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?

The Washington Semester was crucial in helping me decide to pursue a career in political journalism. I interned for Hardball with Chris Matthews the fall semester of my Junior year at Holy Cross. I fell in love with the pace of broadcast and the team environment. After college I was hired to be an NBC Page, which is a one-year rotational program in media (I highly recommend!) and after the program, I returned to the Hardball team on MSNBC. If it wasn’t for the Washington Semester, it might have taken me a lot longer to break into national news.

What were you involved in when you were on campus?

I was a part of the SGA Cabinet throughout my four years on campus and worked as a Resident Assistant. While these groups were a blast on campus, they also taught me excellent time management and organizational skills that prepared me for a professional career.

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

As a political science major I loved to debate current events and government. I always thought I would pursue a career on Capitol Hill. However it was after my internship with Hardball that I realized I could have a career where I am able to read, research and learn every day by working in news! Every single day presents a new challenge, especially in our political climate right now. The job is physically and mentally demanding every day, and I know I would never want to work anywhere else!

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

Critical reading!! I recently told Professor Mangiero that I never understood what I was supposed to be gaining by reading 200 pages for class every week. Now I read that much every single day before work. The ability to read and think critically about what I have read is a skill that is invaluable to me.

What advice do you have for students on campus today?

Show up early and be present. Whether its a class, club meeting or internship- be early! I have made it a habit in my career to always be thirty minutes early for work every single day. It gives me time to prep my day so I don’t feel behind right at the start of work. It also has given me time to work on my own research and even help out my bosses/superiors with special projects right as they walk through the door. I found it is an easy way to make a good impression at the start of your career.
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Meet Alumna Samantha Moor, Associate Manager, Global Merchandising Outlet Handbags at Coach

Name: Samantha Moor

Class Year: 2015

Title: Associate Manager, Global Merchandising Outlet Handbags

Organization Name: Coach

In one sentence, what does your job entail?

Creating seasonal line assortments through a strategic and creative lens & collaborating closely with cross functional partners.

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 was always interested in fashion & the arts but I am also a very analytical and business orientated person so I wasn’t quite sure what industry I wanted to go into. While looking for internships for my rising senior year summer and talking to previous HC interns as well as alums in the industry, I applied to the Coach internship through the Holy Cross Summer Internship Program. I was studying abroad at the time so it felt harder being so disconnected to figure out my first step in my career path. Merchandising seemed like a good fit as the job is both creative and analytical and I was offered the Coach internship position. I had a great experience and worked with a great team. They asked me to come back and help during my Winter break and then offered me a full time position at the end of senior year.

What were you involved in when you were on campus?

I was involved in several clubs such as Spud, Business Program, HC for a Cure. I also interned for O’Keefe Investment management, a financial planning firm started by an HC alum in Worcester, during my senior year.

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

I majored in Economics and minored in Art history. I think both of them combined is very applicable to merchandising – both business/strategic and creative. Economics especially is relatable to every industry so studying economics allowed me to explore other options before choosing fashion.

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

Work ethic!

What advice do you have for students on campus today?

My advice for job/intern searching would be to do as much research as you can – both on the company and talking to people about their careers and experiences.  Holy Cross has an amazing network of alums and a great career service center so just take advantage of all the resources available! Other advice is work hard, stay positive, and make sure you’re doing something you’re passionate about!
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Meet Kiernan Black ’18 Intern at Turnbull and Asser

Meet Kiernan Black ’18 Intern at Turnbull & Asser

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

This past summer I interned at the British men’s luxury clothing company, Turnbull & Asser. As the Royal Shirtmakers to HRH Prince of Whales, this company takes every task very seriously and does not falter in maintaining the quality of their product. As the e-commerce intern, I managed the visuals of the main site and processed the orders through the back end, which is called Magento. I also monitored our big summer sale through email campaigns and tracked the success through google analytics. As the marketing intern, I strategized on how to increase U.S sales while keeping prices high and the brand not over publicized.

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

I believe that my communication skills, both in writing and in speech, that I have learned being a Political Science major allowed me to be effective and efficient at getting a lot of the marketing done. The staff there knew that they could trust me with communicating directly to their clients, so the work got done faster and it allowed me to have free reign on how the process was working.

What has surprised you about being an intern?

What surprised me was how much I could learn about a company in such a short amount of time. After the first few weeks there, I felt as if I had the company’s best interest at heart and that makes all the difference when trying to achieve goals and bring passion into your work.

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

I have always been primarily interested in media work, and have had internships with media company’s in the past, but when looking to move on in that industry I ran into people telling me that I needed some marketing/business experience to set me apart. That is why I pursued Turnbull & Asser. Now I have a set of invaluable skills that I can bring to any career.

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

My advice is to never pigeon hole yourself with one path. If an opportunity comes your way, take it! You will never learn skills that you won’t need or won’t set you apart for the career that you want. A well rounded worker is the best type of worker.
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My Alumni Job Shadowing Experience at Nike World Headquarters

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Now accepting applications for the 2017 Winter Break Alumni Job Shadowing Program! Hurry the deadline to apply is October 20th. Learn more and apply using Crusader Connections.
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Meet CrusaderIntern Rosemary Weiss ’18

Meet Rosemary Weiss ’18 Development Intern at Hot Snakes Media

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

I worked on the research and development of a documentary series.

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

I study Theatre at Holy Cross, and act and work on the technical side of production. I have learned that you have to work hard, be adaptable, and always keep in mind the end goal–the production.

What has surprised you about being an intern?

How immersed I am in the production of this TV series.

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

I have always wanted to work creatively and in the entertainment industry–either writing, acting, or producing, theatre, TV, or film. This internship has put me in the center of it all and prepared me to go forward in my career.

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

Give it your all, do not be afraid to share your ideas, and be ready to learn from the pros.
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ALUMNI INTERVIEW: I Was an Economics Major, Now I Oversee Tennis Channel’s TV & Digital Businesses

Meet Tom Wilhelm ’11, Sr. Manager, Programming & Acquisitions at Tennis Channel.

In one sentence, what does your job entail?

I currently oversee Tennis Channel’s TV and digital businesses which includes managing relationships with tennis partners, negotiating broadcast rights agreements and establishing efficient broadcast schedules across TV and Digital.

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?

For the first three years at Holy Cross, I was on track for a career in the financial services. I had internships at the New York Stock Exchange and Merrill Lynch. And although I enjoyed my time at these places, I knew there was something out there that I would enjoy a little more. I quickly realized that I wanted to incorporate my passion of sports into a career. As an extracurricular activity at Holy Cross, I assisted the Holy Cross Athletics Department with its business needs. And although I had only viewed this experience as an extracurricular one at first, I actually loved the work that I did. When I arrived on campus for my senior year, I constantly networked with the Holy Cross community. Additionally, I made weekly trips to ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. I connected with a lot of people, which included alumni from Holy Cross. And as graduation approached, I was hired by ESPN. Following graduation, I worked in television programming at ESPN for nearly six years. I was even lucky enough to work under a fellow alumnus (Burke Magnus ‘88) during this time.

What were you involved in when you were on campus?

When folks arrive on campus, they quickly become involved in extracurricular activities. Although I was very impressed with what Holy Cross had to offer, I wanted to be involved in something that differed from those of my classmates. When I was not on the soccer field, I worked in the Holy Cross Athletics Department for the entirety of my undergraduate studies. And, this “extracurricular” activity actually propelled the start of my career. If you see Crusader Vision on goholycross.com, I was actually the first student to moderate those videos and interview series. I was also involved in the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

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

I was an economics major at Holy Cross. Like many students, I had no idea what I wanted to do career-wise when I entered college. An economics degree was very helpful for the development of my career. I used the degree to sharpen the business skills that I accrued over the years in the sports media industry. I truly believe an economics degree at Holy Cross sets up students well for whichever career direction that they so choose to take.

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

A skill that has certainly helped my career development is the ability to network. Sports is a very niche type of career. It is a career that is very difficult to break in, and it requires a strong commitment to make connections. At Holy Cross, I worked relentlessly to network with people in the sports and entertainment industry. I connected with Holy Cross alumni, and those connections led to more connections. And, those connections led to even more. And, I hold my current position at Tennis Channel via the connections I made during my time at ESPN. The ability to network efficiently certainly started during my time at Holy Cross.

What advice do you have for students on campus today?

The advice that I stress to everyone who comes to me for career advice is “Find a career you love, and you never work another day in your life.” I was fortunate to find the ideal career for me at a young age, and I have never looked back. Stay true to yourself, and good things will come about.
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ALUMNI INTERVIEW: I Was A Corporate Attorney, Now I…

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!