Hi everyone! My name is Rachael Fissel, I am from Harrisburg, PA, and am currently finishing up my Sophomore year here at the University of Pittsburgh’s College of Business Administration. I am double majoring in Marketing and Human Resource Management. I have already had the opportunity to apply what I learned in the classroom to two internships. The most relevant one would be the summer after my freshman year when I was a Marketing Intern at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s State Headquarters in Harrisburg, PA.

I have chosen the International Internship Program in Ireland as my program of choice and surprise, I’ve never been out of the country!!! I thought that this would be a great first experience outside of my cultural comfort zone. I took 3 years of Spanish in high school, but am nowhere close to being proficient or fluent, so I knew I couldn’t really intern anywhere that spoke a different language. I had a few options then, but the immediate choice was Ireland. I am very passionate about outdoor adventures and with Ireland’s gorgeous scenery, castles, and hikes, I knew it was the place for me. Dublin is even more perfect because I do enjoy being in a city and being able to walk places while still having access to nature. When I’m not studying in a Team Room in Sennott Square I can be found trying to get outside, reading, or looking for an animal to pet. I am a huge animal lover and not going to lie I’ll probably miss my cats a little more than my family this summer! Hey, at least I can FaceTime my family, I don’t think I’d be able to do that with the cats.

This internship will allow me academically to apply what I have learned in the classroom. And as PittBusiness always says, “from the classroom, to the city, to the world!” Well, apparently I’m skipping the city part for right now, but it’s ok I’ll be back. Professionally I am beyond excited for this opportunity to gain exposure to business in a different country. I can’t wait for this new experience of independence and the opportunity to explore. I am so excited to visit all the gardens and taste the local foods.

My career goals include working for a marketing agency or an advertising agency! The idea of having different clients to work with, different opportunities to learn about new clients, and having new and challenging tasks really draws me to the agency side of marketing. My mom is my marketing inspiration. I thank her for telling me stories when I was growing up about her experiences in corporate marketing. She unknowingly planted the love of marketing in me very early on.

I will be leaving from Newark, NJ, on May 27, and I could not be more excited. Cannot wait to see where this adventure takes me! Thank PittBusiness for making this happen 😊