During college, Joshua Morrissey ’20 said he had a tough time thinking about the long-term and didn’t know where to even start.
“That’s where the Professional & Career Development Office and the faculty really stepped in and made a difference for me. One person who had a huge impact on me was Mike Duguay. I found myself in his office all the time — sometimes with questions, sometimes just needing to talk through ideas — and he always had thoughtful, practical advice. He never made me feel like I had to have it all figured out right away,” said Joshua.
Uncertainty continued when the end of his senior year was impacted by the beginning of the pandemic. Luckily, Joshua was relentless in finding opportunities and thriving.
His first job out of college was with a mortgage firm as a trainee loan originator. After a short time, he took a chance and moved to a different state to work on a sales team in the pest control industry. Joshua thrived in this role. Within three months, he generated over $100,000 in sales door to door. The next summer, he managed a team that brought in half a million dollars in sales.
After that, he returned home to Maine and ventured into residential solar sales. In 2022, he sold over $1 million in solar installations.
Currently, Joshua Morrissey is a Sales Development Representative for Planful, a cloud-based financial planning software platform.
“My career journey has been anything but linear, but each step has taught me valuable lessons and helped shape where I am today,” said Joshua, who studied marketing management at Thomas.
“I am particularly proud of my perseverance and dedication throughout my career, both in athletics and academics. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted my senior year and led to missing my in-house graduation. I remained focused on achieving my goals. I successfully earned my bachelor’s degree while continuing to play soccer at a high level. My time as a student-athlete allowed me to participate in two national tournaments, and I am grateful for the international connections I made along the way. Moreover, the experiences I gained through working with my peers, coaches, and teachers significantly contributed to my personal growth and development,” he said.
“Thomas College played a crucial role in bringing my promising future within reach by providing an incredibly supportive environment. The staff at Thomas genuinely cares about each student’s success, and they consistently put my career development first. From day one, I felt that they were invested in my growth, always prioritizing my success. The soccer team was also a vital part of my experience, offering both athletic opportunities and lasting connections that helped me develop professionally and personally. The relationships I built with my teachers and the lessons they imparted not only expanded my knowledge but also set me up for success in my future endeavors. I truly value the support I received at Thomas, and I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything,” he said.