Claire Bochman '22

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

This internship developed skills in many different areas. First, it taught me how to analyze and assess early stage companies based on their fit with Innospark. I never knew what qualifications there was for investment decisions, and I think knowing Innospark’s baseline requirements have given me a good understanding of the types of stats I will be looking at in future jobs. In addition to the quantitative skills, my time spent talking to clients and partners of Innospark have greatly improved my communication skills. I also presented my progress at the job three times a week at a meeting to the entire company, again helping me learn to present and communicate more effectively.

How does this experience connect to your future career goals?

This experience set up a foundational understanding of what I want to do in the future. It taught me that I enjoy a mix of data analysis while also having a conversational element. This internship has included an array of tasks from working with large spreadsheets, reading long reports and press publications, and networking with potential clients. These skills can be applied to many jobs in the future. In addition, I am extending my work with Innospark as a part-time intern this year, which means I get more experience and a deeper understanding of time management.

What advice would you give to other Holy Cross students?

I would tell future Holy Cross students to take full advantage of their internship opportunities. Since this job only lasts you a few months over the summer, it is important to try to get every learning experience possible. Not only should you work hard, but you should also try to make connections with every person you meet along the way. Networking will help support you after the internship and staying in contact with these important and helpful people will give you a wide array of opportunities. In a best case scenario, the company may also offer you an extension of your internship, or even a potential job offer after college.