How many times has this happened: You’re wrapped in the middle of a job search scrolling through hundreds of positions on Handshake or another job-search platform and you stumble across the perfect position. It’s an entry-level role based in your local area and it seems like something you might have a knack for. The requirements are minimal, the position is pretty straightforward, but there’s only one issue… it seems out of your league.
You’ve probably heard the mantra, Everybody has to start somewhere, once or twice in your life. It might seem like a cliché but it’s true – a lot of professionals have to learn how to be experts in their field. If you’re lacking in knowledge in a particular area or industry and if that’s setting you back from opportunities, then it’s best to commit to learning that industry or commit to being interested in learning on the job (something which can be a huge bonus to bring up in your interview).
This is exactly how Erin Corrigan ’15 dealt with her early career search. Initially intimated by their offer, Erin almost hesitated in applying to Tiger Group as a financial writer. She feared that she might not succeed in the position as she was not an expert in finances but, as she says now, “that ended up being a good thing”. Erin applied anyways, knowing she had the skills needed for the job, and wound up loving the career:
“I’ve learned so many new things working here, and this job is such a good fit for me… there’s always going to be some type of learning curve with a new job, but you’ll learn as you go.”
We caught up with Erin to learn more about her time at Emerson as well as her experience as an active learner with Tiger Group.
What originally drew you to Emerson College?
“I knew that Emerson had one of the best journalism programs in the country, so I decided to visit the campus. When I got there and saw the location – right on Boston Common – and saw that the school was relatively small in size, I knew it was for me. I wanted to be centered in all of the excitement of the city and also have an intimate learning experience.”
What was your experience at Emerson like?
“Like that of many other Emerson students, my time at Emerson was busy. Over my four years, I was involved mainly in journalism-related organizations, including WECB’s news team and a number of the campus magazines, including Atlas Magazine, for which I was a writer, a section editor, and editor-in-chief at different points in my Emerson career. I also worked for Emerson’s Parent Programs and was the co-chair of the Class of 2015 Senior Class Gift.”
What were your first steps after graduation? How did you get involved with Tiger Group?
“I actually had been offered my position at Tiger Group before graduation. The journalism department always sent around links to active job postings, and the posting for Tiger caught my eye. I applied ASAP and was invited to the office for an interview. Fortunately, things went really well and I started working for them that summer.”
How did your time in school help prepare you for this position?
“The journalism program of course had me honing my writing skills constantly, particularly my ability to convey a lot of information in an unbiased, concise way that anyone can understand. My job involves a lot of that – consolidating data and explaining it as clearly as possible in a professional manner.”
Juggling a lot of different projects at once while at Emerson also prepared me for this role. I always have deadlines to make and often have to jump from one project to another when certain things come up.
What excites you the most about your current role?
“I love the critical thinking and problem solving involved in my role. We deal with all different types of businesses, each one of which has its own unique characteristics and ways of doing things. For each one, we have to determine what aspects of the business are most important. Although a portion of the writing I do is templated, a large part of it requires figuring out the best way to explain new concepts.”
What does your day to day look like?
“Each morning, I go through my inbox and check my calendar to see what’s on schedule for the day, and then I try to set realistic goals for the day. Some days, I spend most of my time writing reports, making edits to my own reports, or making edits to others’ reports, while other days, I have meetings and reviews to attend. And I’m always talking to my coworkers, asking for more information or asking clarification questions.”
Do you have any advice for current students?
“My advice to current students is to go for what you want and take chances. If you see a job posting that sounds like something you want to do, but the description sounds a bit intimidating or there might be one part of it that makes you unsure of whether or not you can do it, don’t let that scare you!”
