Evan Realbuto '21

1) What are some skills/competencies (NACE) that you developed during your internship?

During the course of my internship, I gained many skills that have helped better prepare me for the workforce after graduation. I further developed my skills in time management; in order to finish the many tasks I was assigned in time for them to be useful for my managers, my skills in communication; to better understand the assignments given to me and the important issues our team discussed, and my research skills; to find the most up to date and accurate information on issues I was asked to research.

2) How does this experience connect to your future career goals?

I am passionate about finding a career related to mental health after my graduation from Holy Cross. This internship allowed me to further apply the knowledge I have gained in my Psychology course work at Holy Cross towards making real world changes towards issues like suicide that I am passionate about. For example, during the course of my internship I attended meetings with staffers for members of congress, briefings, and hearings on the hill for issues like the passage of the national suicide hotline number 988, which is a major project my company has been working to pass. I never could have imagined being a college student able to help in the process of passing bills that will have such a significant impact in preventing suicides. My work with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has made me all the surer that I want to continue to work to make changes in our mental health system after I graduate from Holy Cross.

3) What advice would you give to other Holy Cross students?

The advice that I would give other Holy Cross students is to discover what you are passionate about. Holy Cross has many opportunities to find your academic passions and then apply them to the real world, so take advantage of every opportunity you can. This will give you a better sense of where your academic interests are and if it is something you envision yourself doing after you time at Holy Cross.