Taking the Initiative

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In 2004, 16 percent of Holy Cross’ summer internships were set up with the help of parents. Bob and Marie DeSantis P07, chairs of the career and internship subcommittee of the Parents’ Council, hope to increase that number.

“Over the years, I have found that most people have a passion about sharing what they do for a living with a student who might be interested in a similar career path,” Marie DeSantis says.

In an attempt to bring about a higher awareness of the SIP among parents, the DeSantises hosted a gathering in March for approximately 35 families at their Connecticut home. The goal of the event was not only to educate parents about setting up internships but to make them aware of alternate means of contributing to the SIP—such as offering summer housing to an out-of-town student or hosting a regional gathering.

“We’re trying to generate a broader involvement among the parent-base to not only support the current program—which is an exceptional one for a college of Holy Cross’ size—but also to assist in expanding it,” explains Bob DeSantis.

In addition to parents, the SIP is looking to alumni to promote and establish internships. According to Murphy, an organization is more likely to take on a Holy Cross student if there is somebody at the institution who believes in the person’s talent. Moreover, parents and alumni who are vested in the College tend to make extra efforts to ensure that interns benefit as much as possible from their experience. As opposed to finding themselves isolated in a cubicle, students attend meetings, meet key players in the organization, and have the opportunity to work on important projects.

“The strong commitment of parents and alumni is one of the College’s strengths, and something that the SIP has really capitalized on,” adds Murphy.

Leading by example

In order to make internship experiences possible for all qualified students—mindful that many students have to earn money over the summer to pay college expenses—the vast majority are paid positions. However, not all organizations can afford to pay interns.

“For the industries in which payment is not an option, we have other funding structures in place, such as the Holy Cross Leadership Council of New York, the General Alumni Association Summer Fellowship Program, and the Lilly Vocation Discernment Initiative,” says Murphy.

Since the establishment of the SIP, the Holy Cross Leadership Council of New York (HCLCNY) has provided major support for the program by financing stipends for interns at leading businesses and not-for-profits in the metropolitan New York area. The GAA Summer Fellowship Program, which has existed since 1992, only recently came under the purview of the SIP. Various regional alumni clubs and the GAA combine resources to provide students from the clubs’ geographic areas with stipends to complete internships with area not-for-profits.

Another funding source, the Lilly Vocation Discernment Initiative, was backed by a $2 million grant given to promote the College’s Jesuit mission of intellectual enrichment, service to others and spiritual growth. As part of the initiative, 10 summer internships per year were funded at not-for-profit organizations in Worcester, including BBBS.

The College was seeking permanent funding for the summer internships that had been covered by the Lilly endowment, aware that the grant would run out. According to Lynne Sullivan ’94, director of parent giving, the program now has much of the necessary support thanks to two anonymous parent donors.

“This gift of $500,000 sets the bar very high and shows what parents are capable of doing for Holy Cross,” Sullivan says.

With the sustained help of parents and alumni, students like Abby Lemieux will continue to have opportunities to develop their career skills, contribute to society and support themselves while doing so. Inevitably, these internship experiences play an essential role in helping students determine future career paths.

“The SIP is an amazing opportunity,” says Lemieux. “I was able to apply the confidence I gained through my experience in the program toward a successful job search—which has resulted in a full-time job offer. The SIP is the perfect steppingstone between academic life at Holy Cross and whatever career comes after it.”

If you are interested in setting up a summer internship or otherwise participating in the program, contact Amy Murphy, by phone, at (508)793-3880 or, by e-mail, at amurphy@holycross.edu.

Rebecca Smith ’99 is a freelance writer from Auburn, Mass.