Caroline Darnell, a 2023 Management graduate shares she chose the Busch School for its focus on faith and business. She thrived in networking events, community service, and leadership roles at CUA. Now a Project Management Associate at Freddie Mac, Caroline enjoys strategizing program structures and mentoring analysts.

Why did you choose to attend the Busch School at The Catholic University of America?

I chose to attend the Busch School because of its focus on the intersection between faith and business. Teaching this relationship as a Force for Good using Catholic Social Teaching was something I didn’t find anywhere else. I was looking for a college experience that wouldn’t just maintain my faith but strengthen it, which ultimately led me to CUA and the Busch School.

What were some highlights of your time in the Busch School and at Catholic University?

A highlight from my time at the Busch School was the regularly hosted networking and career development opportunities. Between staff, faculty, and alumni, the Busch School has a rigorous support system to prepare you for how to find what you’re good at, what you want to do in your career, and how to take the first steps to get there. Outside of the Busch School, I am grateful for my experiences leading homeless food runs with CUAService, and my experiences on Program Board. My involvement with these organizations was rewarding as they pushed me out of my comfort zone, gave insight into the perspectives of others, and allowed me to meet some of my closest friends!

What have you enjoyed most about working in your position?

In my current role, I enjoy the variety of my responsibilities. Every month is different for me. I’m able to help strategize how our program is structured, for example, how to implement a new position to create a dual-track program. On a more detailed level, I’m also responsible for coordinating training schedules, manager and mentor pairings, and rotation matches for each analyst in our program. My goal with both the high-level and more detailed responsibilities is to enrich the experience of each analyst for their two years in the program. Being a resource for them is what I enjoy most about my job. 

What advice do you have for prospective students?

My advice to prospective students would be to form close relationships with your professors. The Busch School provides you with small class sizes and staff that truly cares about each individual in their classes. Additionally, they have wisdom and professional networks they are often willing to share! Take time to get to know your professors to help you find out what you want to do with your career in college and beyond.