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Meet Leyda Frias ’18 Intern at Part of the Solution (POTS)

Meet Leyda Frias ’18 Intern at Part of the Solution (POTS)

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

This past summer I was working at Part of the Solution (POTS), a non-profit in the Bronx, NY. At POTS, I worked with the legal clinic, where we prevented evictions. Some of my major assignments for the summer include, making six month and year follow up calls to recipients of an emergency fund, aid in the preparation for fair hearings and eventually I was even able to complete my own intake for new incoming clients. I was also fortunate to shadow lawyers and legal advocates in housing court and administrative court.

What was your favorite part of your internship?

My favorite part was directly interacting with clients, whether it was during intakes or just simply helping them write a letter to their landlord. It was rewarding to see that I was making at least a small difference in their lives.

What has surprised you about being an intern?

I realized that too many people in these communities do not know how to properly read their leases, which hinders them from knowing all their rights and what a landlord can and cannot do.
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Meet CrusaderIntern Emmanuel Wu ’19

Meet Emmanuel Wu’19 Market Analysis Intern at Northern Light, LLC

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

I interned at Northern Light, LLC in Boston, MA. As a market analysis intern, I analyzed markets within certain industries and presented my analyses through PowerPoint slides. My PowerPoint slides will eventually be displayed on Northern Light’s online market research dashboard. My industry focus has been IT. The markets in IT include cloud computing, artificial intelligence, telecom, big data, etc. Conducting market analysis involves gathering market data and news reports, examining market information, discussing market information with colleagues, and extracting key arguments from news reports. As for presenting analyses through Powerpoint slides, it includes searching and posting relevant graphs and diagrams, writing brief paragraphs that sum up certain market topics, and simplifying information for easy visualization.

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

Since I am an economics major, most of the knowledge I learned from Principles Of Macroeconomics (ECON 111) have been used to the fullest during my internship. The terminologies I learned from the course have allowed me to easily understand the lingoes in news reports and market data. In addition, the knowledge I acquired from Financial Accounting (ACCT 181) has helped me to interpret the numerical meanings in market data and financial statements.

What has surprised you about being an intern?

Before I entered my internship, I underestimated the level of difficulty to present market analyses through PowerPoint slides. During the first three weeks, I struggled to complete several workloads on time, since I was not used to transform market information into graphs and brief synopses. Additionally, I was not very familiar with the IT industry, which usually slowed down my pace in gathering the correct market information. In order to comprehend IT news and its market information, I had to spend extra time self-studying IT terms and ask my supervisor a lot of questions regarding technology businesses. Despite several challenging experiences, I was surprised how approachable my supervisor was whenever I asked him questions. Interestingly, consulting with my supervisor was very similar to discussing my papers with my professors at Holy Cross.

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

My experience at Northern Light has led me to thoroughly learn about the IT industry, sharpen my analytical skills, and develop the habit to read the news on a daily basis. I realized that my internship is well connected to finance, which is the field that I aspire to enter in the future. My understanding of the IT markets and familiarity with the methods to conduct market analysis would benefit me in creating projects and doing research in the financial industry. Furthermore, I would be able to explain my reasoning to people that are interested in or uncertain with the fluctuations in the technology markets. While part of my job is to read through news reports, I have been forced to read multiple news articles on a daily basis. This part of the job has in fact developed my habit to follow closely with political and financial news. I believe that this habit is mandatory for anyone that works in finance.

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

I would highly encourage interns to ask many questions and demonstrate a “can do” attitude during challenging times. As I have mentioned above, asking my supervisor questions was very similar to going to my professors’ office hours. Although there will be challenging times during the internship, I would suggest to remain patient and persevere during the process. My experience has taught me that demonstrating a “can do” attitude is the key to successfully persevere during hardship.
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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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Meet CrusaderIntern Vanessa Costa ’18

Meet Vanessa Costa ’18 Special Events Intern at Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

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

This summer, I interned at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to the fight to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic disease affecting 30,000 children and young adults in the United States. I had the privilege of working at the MA/RI chapter of the foundation with an amazing group of dedicated individuals. Throughout my internship, I collaborated with my team and aided in the preparation and production of about six or seven different major fundraising events, some of which I saw through to the end, and others of which are still to come. The majority of my time at my internship was spent on two events, in particular; a weekend-long hiking event in the Berkshires, and a three-course cycling event coming up in October.

My internship projects included recruiting participants and sponsors, attaining donated auction items and local services, preparing mailings, maintaining itemized inventory and organization pre- and post-events, as well as many other tasks. All of the money raised at each of these fundraising events goes toward supporting medical efforts to find a cure for CF, while also allowing the foundation to provide support and resources to CF patients and their families.

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

As a Sociology major, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the diversity of the world and its peoples. I have become more open-minded and understanding as a person, which I have found to be extremely beneficial when interacting with different types of individuals. This proved particularly beneficial during my internship when I had to interact with such individuals as corporate leaders, small business owners, and CF patients and their families.

What has surprised you about being an intern?

It surprised me how willing my coworkers and supervisors were to accept me into their space. I immediately felt like part of the family, like I belonged there. I think that’s why it felt so strange to leave at the end of my internship; I didn’t want it to end.

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

This internship definitely strengthened my desire to make a difference in the world, and it reaffirmed that I had made the right decision by choosing Sociology as my major. I want to help people in the future; help make their lives a little easier and fairer. For that reason, I would really love to pursue a career in social justice or social welfare.

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

Put yourself out there. Give everything your best shot and don’t shy away from new experiences. You never know who you are going to meet and how much of an impact something or someone might have on your life and your passions.

 
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Meet CrusaderIntern Jacob Wronski ’18, Intern at the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office

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

As an intern I spent most of my time at the Worcester Courthouse running errands for assistant district attorneys. I was also fortunate to be paired with a great mentor who was the ADA who processes all of the gun crimes in Worcester. There, one of my main tasks was to contact various police stations across the nation to request records for defendants that were being tried in a Dangerousness Hearing, and help organize their case files.

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

The internship worked also as a class. I have never taken a criminal law course or a course of the basics of the court, and at the office I got to experience the entire process first hand from arraignment to sentencing and everything in between. This is a great way for anyone who may be interested to learn about law, but doesn’t know where to start.

What has surprised you about being an intern?

I was surprised to find the good relationships that were present in the courtroom on opposing sides. The defense attorney’s and ADA’s were civil and, more often than not, got along well in a way that you may not expect.

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

Before this internship, I was unsure of what my future plans would be. Now, with help from many people at the office, I have decided to apply to law school where I will further explore my interest and passion for the law.

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

Be assertive and pro-active at all times so that your employer knows you are eager and willing to get work done.
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Meet Caroline Legare ’18 Intern at Catchpoint Systems

Meet Caroline Legare ’18 Intern at Catchpoint Systems

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

This summer, I interned at Catchpoint Systems, a tech company in NYC. At Catchpoint, I worked on the marketing team, and completed a vide array of tasks. Some of my tasks included research projects utilizing Excel, writing a case study, and sending a biweekly company-wide report on the internal and external content produced by the marketing team!

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

It’s super refreshing to know that the skills acquired through my history major carried over into the workplace! A number of employees on the marketing team stressed the need for “good writers” in the marketing field– and that is definitely a skill that the history major demands of its majors. Similarly, the ability to analyze key information and write concisely is another skill I have acquired through my major. I definitely tapped into these skills while writing the case study and sending biweekly reports!

What has surprised you about being an intern?

The immense responsibility of your role! Many students associate internships with coffee-runs or completing mundane tasks. However, at least at Catchpoint, my work actually mattered to the company, which was definitely rewarding.

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

I now can officially say I have a clear desire to pursue a career in marketing, which gives me somewhat of a game plan! Catchpoint provided me with an experience that makes me excited about the field, and gave me a great overview of what to expect!

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

Document your tasks! I made an Excel sheet and filled out my tasks for the week, including the skills I utilized and what I learned from completing the task. This will make resume adjustments easier, and will give you plenty to share when people ask what you did!
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Meet CrusaderIntern Jenna Marinis ’18

Meet Jenna Marinis ’18 Research Analyst/ Clinical Observer at NYU Winthrop Hospital

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

This summer I interned as a clinical observer/ research analyst at NYU Winthrop Hospital. Throughout the summer I was able to experience a number of different medical disciplines from working in a office setting conducting research to watching open heart surgery. Towards the end of the summer I was able to begin my own research project analyzing patient anxiety levels in relation to certain prostate cancer treatments, which gave me the opportunity to experience the process of publishing an academic paper. Days when I was observing in the hospital consisted of shadowing doctors and physician assistants in a number of different fields, getting a front row seat to a day in the life of a medical professional.

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

Holy Cross has provided me with a well rounded education which helped me adapt to the different environments that I was exposed to throughout the summer. Whether it was critical thinking skills in the research setting, or care, compassion, and understanding in the hospital, the education provided to me by Holy Cross has prepared me to succeed in any professional setting.

What has surprised you about being an intern?

At first interning seemed intimidating, but I was surprised to find how normal it was to sometimes be confused and to ask questions. Everyone turned out to be completely understanding and more than willing to help me whenever I needed it.

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

Being a pre-medical student at Holy Cross consists of strictly classroom prerequisites, which can sometimes cause you to lose sight of why you are doing what you’re doing in the first place. This internship has allowed me to realize why I am putting in the work that I am in the classroom and has motivated me to keep working hard in order to eventually achieve my goal of one day becoming a medical professional. I am extremely thankful to career services as well as the Holy Cross Alumni who set up this opportunity because it has truly opened my eyes to all that is possible in my future.

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

Ask, ask, and ask again. Interning is all about what you make of it. You can spend your time sitting in the background, and being confused or you can ask questions and be involved. Don’t be intimidated, everyone is for the most part understanding of your situation and that you may need some help sometimes. Work hard and be sure to go the extra mile, because you never know who may be watching. Interning is an extremely special opportunity, be sure make the most out of it!
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Meet CrusaderIntern Maureen Hodgens ’19

Maureen Hodgens’19 interned at SenseAbility Gym this summer. Learn all about the fun and rewarding work she is doing tutoring kids.

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

I am interning at SenseAbility Gym, a nonprofit corporation serving special needs children in the greater Worcester area. The gym, located in Hopedale Massachusetts, provides children a safe, clean, spacious area where kids can play and accommodate their sensory needs.

I run the Summer Refresher Program which provides one-on-one academic support (mostly reading comprehension and math) to students. The gym is an excellent location for sessions because students are able to earn break time where they can choose what they would like to do based on their needs (such as relaxing in the quiet room or jumping on the trampoline). The gym serves as a great setting for learning and focus, and the kids feel safe and comfortable going to the gym because many of them have been going since they were just 2 or 3 years old. In addition to tutoring, I also help out at open gym, which is unstructured time where parents and kids can play together while using the equipment. I have been able to assist instructors and other professionals (such as occupational therapists, special education teachers, social workers, and speech pathologists) to help teach children different social, emotional, and physical skills.

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

I took the course, Educational Psychology, last semester where I learned about many of the challenges that children face on a daily basis at home and in the classroom. These may include a learning disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, developmental disorder, physical disorder, sensory disorder, speech and language disorder, autism spectrum disorder, or emotional and behavioral disorder. Reading about the descriptions of these types of disabilities in a textbook and then memorizing them was a good start, but definitely not sufficient enough to gain a real grasp of these challenges. In order to understand the obstacles that these children face, it is necessary to interact with them and get to know them as a whole person, which is what this internship has provided. Although these labels are used in order to identify and classify types of disabilities, I have learned that even children within these “boxes” are completely different and special in their own way. Through my internship, I have also learned that a child can never be expected to act the same or have the same needs as another child with the same diagnosis. This experience helped me to see students in a much more holistic way.

What has surprised you about being an intern?

It’s surprising that internships can actually be really fun! The work I do isn’t easy by any means, but after spending so much time planning a tutoring session and then executing it, the feeling afterwards is so rewarding. I was also surprised at how quickly I felt welcome at my workplace community. Thanks to my supervisors, Tina and Alysia, as well as the other members of the SenseAbility Gym community, I love going into work each day. I learn something new every day! I think that for a lot of college students, the word “internship” can cause some anxious or negative feelings. However, I have learned that an internship can actually be a positive experience that enriches your skills and helps you to grow as a person.

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

As a future educator, it is a top priority for me to have exposure and experience with children of ALL needs, and most especially those who have special needs. This internship has reaffirmed my love of children and teaching.

I have learned about classroom strategies to help students with Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID) such as reducing sensory overload, providing comfortable furniture, planning movement breaks between and during activities, and devising team or group experiences. When coping with sensory integration dysfunction, it’s important for future teachers to know that growing older doesn’t mean getting better at many physical or intellectual tasks. Many teachers don’t learn about SID in their educational training, but the child with SID often has enormous difficulty in the classroom. These students will play a key role in my future classroom, lesson planning, and ultimate execution of my lessons as a teacher.

As a content teacher, I will be able to collaborate effectively with my special education professionals to make the classroom environment more welcoming and effective for all students. Exposure to these children and their parents early on in my training will allow me to facilitate future collaboration with the special education department and enrich the experiences of my future students on IEP’s and 504’s. I’m so grateful that I have had the opportunity to work with children with a variety of needs in an educational setting so far this summer– I have already gained so much more confidence working with children of all abilities!

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

There’s no doubt that finding a summer internship can be really hard. Sometimes you end up accepting an internship that isn’t your #1 choice, and that’s okay. If you go into your internship with an open mind, you can end up applying what you have learned in ways you never thought were possible. Even though your internship may not be exactly what you want to do everyday for the rest of your life, you can still acquire skills that will help you in the future. If you don’t enjoy your internship even after coming in with an open mind, remember that crossing off a career field from your list is still beneficial. Make note of what you enjoyed doing during your internship, as well as what aspects of your day you didn’t love as much. Tracking what makes you passionate as an intern can help to determine what future job is the best fit for you. Narrowing down a career search is always a positive, so accepting an internship will always be a win-win situation for you!

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Meet CrusaderIntern Lexi Tamburello

Meet Lexi Tamburello ’19 Accounting Intern at Dovetail Internet Technologies

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

I am interning at Dovetail Internet Technologies, a company located in Worcester that creates custom website solutions for businesses. At Dovetail, I work along-side the head accountant. I process account receivables and account payable, enter and analyze data in excel, and complete book-keeping tasks.

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

Much of what I have learned in my accounting course has come to life in my internship. For example, I was able to understand first hand, rather than read in a textbook, how important a cash flow statement is.

What has surprised you about being an intern?

I was surprised how much I was able to learn in a summer long internship. Specifically, I was given tasks that were important and required responsibility. (ex. checks and contracts)

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

From this experience, I have come to a greater understanding of what I want and what I do not want in my future career.

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

Enter the internship with a positive attitude. Your experience is truly what you make it.
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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.