April Alumni Career Profile

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Name: Kathleen Flaherty    Class Year: 1991 Major: Accounting and Finance     Current Employer:  State Street Corporation

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Describe your career path since graduation.

I started at State Street Corporation in the Mutual Funds Division, working as a Fund Accountant. I was promoted to Senior Fund Accountant after a year. I then took an overseas assignment working as a Senior Fund Accountant in our Luxembourg Europe office for six months. Upon my return to the US I was promoted to a First Line Manager position, overseeing a dozen employees for several years. I then moved into the Global Funds Solutions group as a Business Analyst. After a year, I moved into the Information Technology Division as a Technical Systems Project Manager and worked as a liaison between the programmers and the Business/Client representatives. Three years ago I moved into Wealth Manager Services as an IT Project Manager. Also in 1998 I received my MBA from Bentley College.

 

What is your current position and how long have you been with your employer? 

 I have been with State Street Corporation since August of 1991. I currently work in Wealth Manager Services as an IT Project Manager.

 

Describe the main responsibilities of your position. 

Currently, I am also responsible managing the delivery of top priority initiatives for our clients. I maintain project plans, report status, work with all areas of our department to make sure that projects are completed on time and within budget.

 

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

Although the Project Management methodology used is the same for each project, each project is different and brings with it a different set of challenges. It keeps the job exciting. Also working with different people on each project is rewarding.

 

What do you find most challenging about your job? 

 Some days get very busy attending meetings every hour, and it is often difficult to find time to get the work done in between.

 

Describe your typical work week.  (How many hours you work, your work environment, etc.) 

I work Monday thru Friday, typically an 8 hour day, on a floor with about 75 people, however within my immediate group there are 10 of us. In the past there has been some travel, domestic as well as international and occasionally overtime. I have always worked in our Quincy/Milton offices, however have had colleagues who have worked in Boston and other cities and countries.

 

What job search methods did you use to obtain your current position?  

State Street Corporation came to BSC and did on campus interviews/screenings. After an initial meeting, I was asked to interview on site in Quincy. Within State Street open positions are posted internally. I have always gone thru this process to move from department to department, sometimes even laterally as well as promotions.

 

What advice could you give to students interested in your field? 

Sharpen your time management skills, be able to multi-task, do many things at once and always double check your work and spelling. Make sure you have excellent computer skills if you plan to work in Business, including PowerPoint, MS Access, Excel and especially Pivot Tables. Finally, make sure you keep a good list of contacts. It is not always knowing the answer, but always know who to call to get the answer that is more important.

Last Modified: April 9, 2007