Tag: education career community

 

Name: Alex Kanya

Class Year: 2022

Title:  Communications Associate

Organization Name: Northeastern University

 

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

I work in internal communications for Northeastern’s Office of the Chancellor, so I’m responsible for executing employee engagement, learning, and recognition events, managing online resources to support staff needs, and supporting teams within the Chancellor’s Office when they want to improve their communications strategies and practices.

 

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? 

Frankly, I loved my time at Holy Cross, and that was the initial draw towards staying in higher education. I knew I wanted to be in Boston, and this opportunity at Northeastern actually was my first role after HC. There was definitely a learning curve going from the Hill to a place like NU, with campuses in three different countries, but the work I’ve been doing to support staff members across multiple divisions (student life, athletics, digital learning, enrollment management, and more) has further solidified my appreciation for the hard work that goes behind-the-scenes in higher education. My favorite part about my job is the opportunity to spotlight work that would otherwise potentially go unnoticed, and the chance to serve as a resource for colleagues whose day-to-day activities are wildly different from my own, and the more I’ve learned about Northeastern and about the responsibilities of internal communications, the more I’ve felt that I’ve come into my own in this role.

 

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

I was a captain of the ultimate frisbee team, a Gateways orientation leader and central staff member, a member of the club running team, and at various points in my time on the Hill, a participant in programs such as Unified Sports, the College Democrats, Community-Based Learning, and the Nonprofit Careers Conference.

 

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

I was a History major with a Rhetoric and Composition interdisciplinary minor. I would say the impact this made on my career decisions was the knowledge that I was a confident writer, critical thinker, and communicator, which I was especially able to develop while writing a thesis for History Departmental Honors my senior year. I had also interned at Special Olympics Connecticut in marketing and communications, and I felt confident that between my academic and professional experiences, I could be an effective contributor to a communications team in the higher ed world.

 

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

One skill that definitely comes to mind is the ability to empathize and engage with people whose experiences differ from my own. My junior year, I was involved Project Empathy on campus, and beyond that, it was one of my main takeaways from programs like Gateways and serving as a leader in campus clubs and organizations. Knowing your audience and understanding the person behind whatever’s happening goes a long way in building connections, and at a massive university like Northeastern, it’s impossible to be a resource or support for people without first committing to caring about and understanding their perspectives.

 

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

My #1 piece of advice for current students is to take a deep breath and recognize that everything you’re doing, not just time in the classroom, is contributing to your growth and ability to become the best version of yourself. It’s okay to balance hard work in the classroom with clubs, organizations, and relationships that bring you joy, and sometimes the intangible skills you develop in those contexts will be massive assets to you in whatever you pursue next, whether it’s graduate school, work, or anything else!

 

7. What are your thoughts on how AI has impacted or will impact your industry? What advice do you have for students as they prepare to enter a professional world where AI is prevalent?

Still being in higher ed, there’s 100% a feeling of uncertainty or confusion with the advancements in AI. I would say the thought I routinely come back to is that it cannot and should not replace a human touch. AI can absolutely be useful as a tool/resource, but it shouldn’t replace research, writing, or thinking critically about a subject. Personally, I tend to be a bit of an AI skeptic, especially from the lens of sustainability, but there’s no denying that in work and school contexts it’s here to stay, so it’s about making sure it’s used as a resource and not a replacement.

 

Name: Michael McLaughlin

Class Year: 2006

Organization Name: Head of Middle School & Coordinator of International Travel

Title: Austin Preparatory School

 

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

I oversee anything to do with teaching and instruction for 200 students and 20 faculty in grades 6-8 and plan/manage all of our international travel programs for all students Grades 6-12.

 

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 completely bombed an interview for a distinguished fellowship opportunity (though I’m not certain that the interviewer was keen on my project idea, so it may not have been all me). From there, I went to Lessons and Carols in the Chapel – and when I walked out, I saw a flyer for the Alliance for Catholic Education – and the rest was somewhat history.

 

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

RA in Junior/Senior year; Alternate College Theatre; Passport Program; Orientation Leader; College Honors Program; History Honors

 

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

History — I taught history for seven years and then transitioned into administration, but have the benefit of classroom experience to mentor teachers. Currently, I’m writing a history book.

 

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

Writing – I do quite a bit of it; Listening in conversations.

 

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

Have faith – God may have other plans for you.

Name: Brandon Brito 

Class Year: 2020

Title: Assistant Director of Equity and Inclusion

Organization Name: Meadowbrook School of Weston 

 

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

My role is difficult to capture in one sentence, but essentially, I serve with our Director of Equity and Inclusion in implementing all equity and inclusion initiatives and programming. I work with all of our affinity group leaders which include our Meadowbrook Students of Color (MSOC), ETC. (our LGBTQIA+ affinity group,) and our Jewish Affinity Group (Kehillah.) Furthermore, I take a lead role in planning and implementing AWARE (All Working at Racial Equity) curriculum for our Junior Kindergarten to 8th grade. Finally, I also serve on our Admission Committee to help recruit and retain our students. 

 

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 couldn’t have landed where I am without the incredible support at Holy Cross. From my professors like Ginny Ryan, Kendy Hess, and Danielle Poché to the Center for Career Development and mentors like Chris Holguin, Kasey Catlet, and Amit Taneja. Covid had just hit as well and so I was doing a lot of this work at home but I knew I had a team in my corner ready to support me. I remember hopping on numerous zoom calls with Ben Cannon as he mitigated my many fears and anxiety. He was the one that reminded me that it’ll all fall into place… and it did. I started in higher ed and realized quickly, I wanted to work with a k-12 population. 3 years later, I couldn’t be happier than to be in my current role supporting students, faculty, families, and alumni. 

 

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

At Holy Cross, I was a first-year RA, an orientation leader, a member of ACT, LASO, and worked with the Chaplains, the Office of Student Involvement, Coolbeans, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

 

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

I was a double major in English and Theatre. I always knew I wanted to get into education and originally, I wanted to become a Drama teacher. While that didn’t happen, I found other areas of passion in education. 

 

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

Asking for help! This one took me years to finally grasp. It was in my senior year that I finally realized the impact asking for help had. Holy Cross has such a great network and I’ve been able to utilize it as a resource. In my role, I’ve learned the power of saying, “I don’t know” and reaching out to colleagues for support. 

 

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

I’ll tell you what many folks told me: Everything will fall into place! It may not feel that way at the moment, but it will. You might not get that job you wanted, or internship, or grade… but it all works out. This still rings true for me as I navigate this professional world. Just recently, I worked so hard to get this job I thought I wanted, and got it but ended up hating it. I was there for 41 days and then found this amazing role that I love so much. What’s meant to be yours…will be yours.

Name: Marco Clark

Class Year: 1989

Title: President

Organization Name: Holy Cross College at Notre Dame

 

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

President and CEO in Catholic higher education

 

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?  

With an interest in education, Dean Joe Maguire assisted me to take education classes at other colleges in the Worcester consortium. He also aided me to get an internship in the Auburn and Oxford public school system working with at risk youth in a program called Project JOBS/Project COFFEE. As well, since I played football at Holy Cross, I had an interest in coaching. Between my desire to coach and the work I did with at-risk youth, I was offered a position as a guidance counselor and coach following graduation. It was a great fit for me. One thing I recognized through my interview process is that I would have great mentors to learn from in my early career. After spending the past 34+ years in Catholic education, I often reflect on how it all began. I really just wanted to be a high school or college football coach. God clearly had other plans, and for that I am thankful.

 

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

Football, intramurals, SPUD

 

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

Psychology. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with the degree until I did an internship working 1:1 with at-risk youth (see above).

 

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

Writing/communication skills, public speaking, critical thinking, viewing everything through a lens of equity and justice.

 

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

Take it all in. The days can be long, but the years go fast. Also, find a mentor and don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance and direction, including possible spiritual direction. As you seek to discover more about your interests and career path, think with a vocation mindset, pray, and discern what God is calling you to. The spiritual writer Frederick Buechner stated, “Vocation is when your deep gladness meets with the deep needs of the world.” Be in search of that deep gladness and have the competence to see and the courage to act on the deep needs of the world and you will have found your vocation.

Name: Brian G. Ricca

Class Year: 1996

Title: Superintendent of Schools

Organization Name: East Greenwich (RI) Public Schools

 

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

It is my job to ensure all students feel safe, welcomed, and included when they come to school so that they can learn to their fullest potential.

 

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?

Upon graduation, I joined Inner City Teaching Corps, a Chicago-based volunteer program. It was modeled after the Jesuit Volunteer Corps but was exclusively for teachers. I spent two summers as a part of the Mexico Immersion Program with Kim McElaney, and that’s when I knew I wanted to be a teacher.

I loved teaching from that first summer after graduation and have grown in leadership roles since being a classroom teacher.

 

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

Pax Christi, RICH (Residents for Improved Campus Housing), Mexico Immersion Program, Liturgical Ministry

 

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

I was a Religious Studies major with an emphasis on Liberation Theology. The Jesuit mission of living one’s life in the service of others was a through-line in my studies. The notion that our liberation is directly tied to those who are most marginalized is validated by the gospel stories of Jesus in the New Testament. I wanted to start my teaching career where I was most needed.

 

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

The professors at Holy Cross taught me to analyze and think critically, to look at ideas from multiple perspectives, and to be articulate in my rationale. I was a part of the “first” First Year Program at Holy Cross, and that experience of reading a shared text across multiple disciplines was invaluable.

 

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

Strive for the “grey” in our world. There is far too much instant polarization. We have knee-jerk reactions to those whose political ideology does not match ours. Be solid in your values and what you know to be true and good, and be open to the intrinsic value of those who disagree. Be the one willing to have the hard conversation with someone who thinks about the world differently than you do.

Name: Cassie Lo

Class Year: 2008

Title: Assistant Professor of Education

Organization Name: St. Thomas Aquinas College

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

I am a professor on the tenure track, so I teach four classes per semester, advise students at both the master’s and undergraduate level, serve on committees, and conduct research.

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 had always wanted to be a high school Journalism teacher, but I wanted to have some experience in the field of journalism first. I was lucky enough to intern at Good Morning America in Washington, D.C. thanks to Holy Cross’ Washington program, and that led to an internship at CosmoGIRL! magazine in New York City the summer after my junior year at HC. Upon graduation, I had planned to return to that magazine, but I graduated into the recession and many magazines and newspapers shut down. I started freelancing and eventually decided that moving into education would be a better fit for me. I was hired as an English and Journalism teacher in February 2009 and was lucky enough to stay in that role until I started my doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania in 2014. I love working with students at both the high school and college level because every day is full of exciting and rewarding challenges.

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

I was the Features Editor of the newspaper, a Resident Assistant for three years, a big sister at the Boys and Girls Club, I worked as a tutor at the Writing Center, and I founded an on-campus journal called The Advocate. As an ALANA student, I was also involved with many ALANA events on campus.

 

 

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

 I was an English major and I was in the Teacher Education Program. The TEP allowed me to become a certified teacher, which set me up for a successful career in education. After my experience in the Teacher Education program at Holy Cross, I knew I wanted to work in a similar program at a university one day. That goal eventually led me to pursue my doctorate after teaching at a high school for six years.

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

 Holy Cross taught me to be empathetic and open-minded. I am an advocate and support system for my students because of the kind and supportive faculty members I worked with at Holy Cross.

 

 

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

 Try to step out of your comfort zone and take a chance. If you want to be a part of a club or organization that is not yet on campus, start it yourself! Holy Cross is a great place to get involved and really discover what you want to pursue in the future. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to alumni who are in careers that interest you. My friends and I were connected with amazing HC alumni over the years who have been so helpful with everything from work to health advice. Our network is full of proud alums who are happy to help!