A Fast Start in Financial Services</h1> <article> <h1>A Fast Start in Financial Services</h1> <p>kviancou — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:03:49 +0000</p> <span>A Fast Start in Financial Services</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-27T08:03:49-04:00" title="Friday, March 27, 2026 - 08:03">Fri, 03/27/2026 - 08:03</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>John McDonnell ’24 likes to be at the center of the action. </p><p>As an associate account executive at the financial services firm Aon, McDonnell works in the commercial risk sector, helping clients mitigate risks, assess insurance needs, and design business safety procedures.</p><p>“It’s been so much more than I’ve expected,” he says of the first major role after graduation. “The clients I get to work with are companies you see on billboards or items and services you use every day. It’s really interesting to understand their business operations, priorities, and risk appetites. I’m always learning.”</p><p>McDonnell credits Associate Professor of Business <a href="/eric-lin">Eric Lin</a> with providing key academic and career support. In Lin’s course Financial Analysis for Leaders, McDonnell worked through case studies that helped him “apply skills in a way that you might in the real world. It was incredibly helpful for trying to grapple with how a business works at its core.”</p><p>Lin, he adds, “made everything he was teaching so digestible. I really appreciated his courses and his willingness to talk about my career goals. He pointed me in the right direction.”</p><p>McDonnell also participated in <a href="/winter-term">Winter Term</a> internships and a <a href="/study-away">study away</a> program that shaped his post-graduation path. In 2023, he applied his <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics">politics major</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/business">business coursework</a> to an internship with the holding company Exor N.V., where he analyzed how potential outcomes of the U.S. presidential election might affect the broader business landscape.</p><p>Many of McDonnell’s politics courses focused on international relations, and his internship with Exor gave him a unique opportunity to combine his academic interests. “One of the greatest perks of 91ֱ�� is that it enables you to pursue your passions,” he says.</p><p>Later that year, McDonnell studied in Australia, allowing him “to reflect on what I actually want from my working experience.” He shadowed a chief operating officer and got a taste of the behind-the-scenes work he now loves at Aon. “It was eye-opening. I liked how he was in the action and had to make split-second decisions. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to see that.”</p><p>Even with his busy job, McDonnell stays connected to 91ֱ�� through regular alumni meetups in San Francisco. He marvels at how easy it is to relate to fellow Obies at these events. “It just cements that when you go to 91ֱ��, you have this incredible network post-grad,” he says. “Our alumni go on to do inspiring things, whether in teaching, law, business, or the nonprofit world. You meet wonderful people.</p><p>“91ֱ�� attracts a certain type of person who believes they can make incredible change, not only in their own life, but in the lives of others,” McDonnell adds. “I think that’s why alums feel such a strong connection when they reconnect or meet for the first time.”</p><hr><p>Kristen Evans is a culture writer and critic who has written for <em>BuzzFeed, The Boston Globe, The Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, NYLON</em>, and <em>The New Republic</em>.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">John McDonnell ’24 hits his stride in San Francisco’s financial services sector</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-27T12:00:00Z">Fri, 03/27/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Kristen Evans</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4268">Business</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4154">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/business" hreflang="und">Business</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of John McDonnell</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Bridging Art, Environment, and Public Service Through CELA</h1> <p>kviancou — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:34:39 +0000</p> <span>Bridging Art, Environment, and Public Service Through CELA</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-11T16:34:39-04:00" title="Wednesday, March 11, 2026 - 16:34">Wed, 03/11/2026 - 16:34</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Nathaniel Liu ’26 understands why 91ֱ��’s motto, “Learning & Labor,” has stuck around so long: it’s because the <a href="/center-engaged-liberal-arts">Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA)</a> connects students’ academic interests with real-world experiences, allowing the two to inform one another as students navigate college and life beyond 91ֱ��.</p><p>Throughout his time at 91ֱ��, Liu has participated in winter term micro-internships, which allow students to gain internship experience and winter term project credit through 91ֱ��-affiliated activities on and off campus. 91ֱ��’s <a href="/career">Career Exploration and Development</a> office, within the CELA space, sponsors the program.</p><p>First, Liu apprenticed with an 91ֱ�� alumnus at his sculpture studio in New York City. There, he applied his classroom-based photography and videography skills in a professional, day-to-day context. “I realized that while I enjoyed the work, the lifestyle of a professional artist was not for me. It was a valuable lesson: learning what you don’t want to do is as important as learning what you do.”</p><p>With new career aspirations, Liu pursued another winter term micro-internship, writing articles about climate change for the National Park Service. Although the position was cut short due to political tensions in the U.S., he retained his passion for environmental communication. “I learned that unpredictability is often the price of environmental public service, yet it only solidified my commitment to the field.”</p><p>Next, with guidance and support from CELA’s <a href="/fellowships">Fellowships and Awards</a> office, Liu applied for several prestigious fellowships and ultimately earned the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship for Environmental Studies.</p><p>Overall, CELA has honed Liu’s practical skills and clarified his future plans. “CELA has done more than just provide work experience; it has helped me identify and fill the gaps in my skill set, ensuring my education remains aligned with my professional goals.”</p><p>After graduating, Liu—a triple major in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies" target="_blank">environmental studies</a>, <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies" target="_blank">East Asian studies</a>, and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" target="_blank">politics</a>—plans to pursue a fellowship in Asia. He looks forward to further refining his interests and goals, with the hope of returning to Maine for a long-term career in environmental public service.</p><p>Liu is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Through an arts apprenticeship, climate communication, and a Udall Scholarship, Nathaniel Liu ’26 connects experiential learning with a career in environmental public service.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-11T12:00:00Z">Wed, 03/11/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4074">East Asian Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4154">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4095">Environmental Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4080">Fellowships</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies" hreflang="und">East Asian Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>A Principled Stance</h1> <p>azaleski — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 20:41:11 +0000</p> <span>A Principled Stance</span> <span><span>azaleski</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-08-28T16:41:11-04:00" title="Thursday, August 28, 2025 - 16:41">Thu, 08/28/2025 - 16:41</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>On the 18th floor of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court of the Cuyahoga County Justice Center, tucked behind a wood-paneled courtroom, Judge William Vodrey ’87’s office faces the hazy Cleveland skyline. Outside, the late afternoon heat swells to nearly 90 degrees, although it feels hotter thanks to a close, sticky humidity.</p><p>Vodrey, who serves on the Court of Common Pleas of Cuyahoga County, slides stacks of manila folders aside on a conference table to make room for a conversation with me and his summer intern, Matthew Grogan ’27. Deep into the fourth week of a lengthy and challenging criminal trial, the duo remains upbeat.</p><p>"A lot of what I've been interested in [at 91ֱ��] has been social change and social movements," says Grogan, a <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics">politics</a> major who organizes with the ACLU Campus Action Team. “One thing that I’ve always noticed is that, in underlying social movements towards justice, towards restoration, you have these big movements that occur outside of the courtroom, and they eventually blossom up into the courtroom.” </p><p>Part of the appeal of interning with Judge Vodrey, he adds, is the chance to see how these movements play out in the courts. In addition to observing trial proceedings, Grogan supports jury members, talks to both prosecution and defense teams, helps with legal research, and asks about the impact of the law he sees in the courtroom each day.</p><figure role="group" class="image_resized align-left"> <div class="media-embed-resized" style="width:313px;"> </div> <figcaption>Credit: Yevhen Gulenko</figcaption> </figure> <p>Vodrey appears comfortable as a mentor and teacher—a role he’s also taken on at 91ֱ�� as an adjunct professor in legal advocacy through the politics department. "I have found the law to be an enormously rewarding profession,” he says. “And where I can encourage Obies to enter the law, to play an important role in our society, I'm happy to do it. I’m pleased to see young people like Matthew who are interested in the law and want to make it a profession.”</p><p>In at least one respect, Vodrey's legal career offers law school hopefuls like Grogan a unique path to study. Throughout terms as both a municipal court magistrate and a judge, Vodrey has submitted and published more than 20 opinions as legal precedent in the state of Ohio. One judgment, in a case about taxation, was even cited by the Solicitor General of the U.S. </p><p>“That was very gratifying for me, to have this tiny little bit of legal immortality,” he says, the respect for his profession audible. His office also reflects this respect: Behind Vodrey's desk, the built-in bookcase is filled from top to bottom with law books. Countless cards and photos, including a thank you note from 91ֱ��, perch before the serious titles.</p><p>Ultimately, Vodrey remains deeply connected to 91ֱ�� because the college’s students are like Grogan: “smart, well-prepared and concerned about the world.” He also feels it's important to give back and, in 2018, received 91ֱ��'s Alumni Medal. “My four years at 91ֱ�� were some of the best years of my young life,” Vodrey says. “It's good to be back on campus and to be trying to repay in some way the debt that I owe to 91ֱ�� for all it taught me, and how much of a difference it made to me.”</p><p>Like Vodrey before him, Grogan feels his time at 91ֱ�� is putting him on the path to law school. “This internship has made me a lot more confident in my ability to learn about the law,” he says, noting he also interned for the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs over Winter Term. </p><p>“I think [this internship] and [being involved in] my other law-related experiences at 91ֱ��, have all demonstrated to me that there are these immediate impacts of law,” Grogan adds. “By being a practitioner of the law, [your impact] ripples out in ways determined by how you want the world to change.”</p><p>To Vodrey, Grogan’s conscientiousness reflects the Obie spirit. “Obies understand the need for our country to be true to its principles, especially in these troubling times, and to live up to its potential [and] its promise.”</p><p>Throughout their lengthy conversations about legal proceedings, Vodrey occasionally puts Grogan to the test with an important question: What would Judge Grogan do? "Being an Obie, [Matthew] has the eyes of an aspiring lawyer, he sees both sides of the issue," Vodrey says. “But it falls to the judge to decide.”</p><hr><p><a href="/career"><em>Career Exploration & Development</em></a><em> helps 91ֱ�� students find summer internships and professional opportunities aligned with their career goals by offering one-on-one advising, on-campus panel discussions and networking.</em></p><p><em>Kristen Evans is a culture writer and critic who has written for BuzzFeed, </em>The Boston Globe, The Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, NYLON, <em>and</em> The New Republic.<br><br> </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Judge William Vodrey ’87 and his summer intern, Matthew Grogan ’27, find common ground in justice, integrity, and the power of the law. </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2025-09-15T12:00:00Z">Mon, 09/15/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Kristen Evans</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4154">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Matthew Grogan ’27 talks to Judge William Vodrey ’87 in the latter's downtown Cleveland office.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pull-images field--type-list-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yes</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-cte-images field--type-list-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yes (Individual Images)</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yevhen Gulenko</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">1</div> </article> <article> <h1>Moe Ariyoshi ’26 on Morals and Technology</h1> <p>lcurtis2 — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:35:36 +0000</p> <span>Moe Ariyoshi ’26 on Morals and Technology</span> <span><span>lcurtis2</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-09-04T10:35:36-04:00" title="Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - 10:35">Wed, 09/04/2024 - 10:35</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Describe what you’re doing this summer in your internship.</strong></p> <p>This summer at Carnegie India, I am working as a summer assistant to provide senior research analysts with briefings on various topics including international trade and technology corporations, border conflicts and infrastructure, multilateral relationships with India, India's political economy, and other international think tank organizations. </p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ�� shape or influence you to pursue this internship? </strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Moe Ariyoshi ’26</figcaption> </figure> <p>In the Spring 2024 semester, I took <a href="/node/6201">Professor Marc Blecher's</a> POLT 212 Political Economy of Development in Asia, in which we discussed the development of 5 main Asian economies: Japan, India, China, South Korea and Taiwan. In a different class offered by Professor Rudabeh Shahid, I examined the politics of citizenship in India, Myanmar and the United States. The two classes captured my interest to take a closer look at India to experience how the nation with a history and culture over 4000 years, the largest population on Earth, and a world class military, is growing its international presence. My professors at 91ֱ�� have taught me how to look at the world in a greater context, but in this summer assistantship at Carnegie India, I wanted to learn from watching closely what analysts at the frontlines of the foreign policy research experience.</p> <p><strong>How does pursuing this internship align with your post-college life and career goals?</strong></p> <p>As a computer science major, my career goals focused mainly on the development of technologies. However, at Carnegie India, I was able to see how policy studies perceive and attempt to govern technology, an important aspect for both private lives but also national power. This summer assistantship has allowed me to become aware of the consequences of development and its impact on the prosperity of the international community.</p> <p><strong>How has the liberal arts education and way of thinking shaped how you approach research?</strong></p> <p>The liberal arts education and way of thinking helped me better understand the role and implications of technology development, whether it is to empower individuals or secure national power. The liberal arts education has equipped me with the right moral responsibility as an engineer with good goals and intentions for development that will enable individuals mobility while ensuring its right use.</p> <p><em>If you're interested in a summer internship, connect with the <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration & Development</a> team to learn more about exploring career interests, gaining real-world experience, and developing a professional network.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-10-11T12:00:00Z">Fri, 10/11/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="text-content field field--name-field-intro-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Moe Ariyoshi ’26 had a meaningful summer at Carnegie India through <a href="/node/54286">Summer Experience Funding</a>. At 91ֱ��, she is a <a href="/node/3236">computer science</a> major with a double minor in <a href="/node/3391">politics</a> and <a href="/node/3386">economics</a>, and concentrations in <a href="/node/245971">international affairs</a> and <a href="/node/413401">data science</a>. Here, they reflect on how 91ֱ�� shaped their morals. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4096">Summer Internships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4140">Summer Experience Funding</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4153">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4154">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3925">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4151">Data Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2403">Career Exploration & Development</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/marc-blecher" hreflang="und">Marc Blecher</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/computer-science" hreflang="und">Computer Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/data-science" hreflang="und">Data Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">The view from Khardung La Pass, one of the highest motorable roads in the world, where Moe Ariyoshi ’26 was able to travel during her summer at Carnegie India.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Moe Ariyoshi ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>