I’d like to begin my final post with a list of so many thank-yous. I would not have had this amazing opportunity if it wasn’t for Dean Murrell and her idea for the program, Ken Woodcock from which a generous scholarship was donated, Brad Miner, CAPA, and team for their logistical work in planning, Professor Cathy Lada for her help and role in teaching, all our inspiring partner companies, all our informative guest lecturers, and so many more great people who made this program so special.
Over the past month, from Pittsburgh to Ireland, I have had so many memorable experiences that have truly given me so much knowledge and skills that I can use in my future career. Whether it be in the classroom, touring company sites, listening to guest lecturers, immersing in the Irish culture, or collaborating with my fellow Woodcocks, there was so much value to this program. We were able to get a jump-start to college, study abroad, and career development. The program was also designed in a way that encourages us to take risks and ask questions so that we can learn in a new way and achieve real-world applications.
Personally, this program has made me more confident in the business world, as I am willing to connect with others more openly and investigate my true interests. I learned that it is okay to not fully understand what career is in your future, because most likely, in our current VUCA culture and trend, it will change very often. Instead, I realized that being able to adapt and have the basic transferable skills is key.
Ireland as a nation really inspired me as well. The strength of their country, in my opinion, is their ability to form relationships and deep connections that can be used both personally and in business. On each of our site visits, I noticed this reflected in the company culture and how networking helped many of the employees attain their role in the company. I hope to use this idea when looking for internships and potential job positions, as even the smallest connection can really make a difference in the process. The beautiful landscape and rich history of the culture also seem to benefit them through economic development, specifically in tourism, making it a great destination for travelers that I would definitely recommend visiting.
Overall, I feel so fortunate to have been a part of such an amazing program. Words alone cannot express just how grateful I am to Pitt for providing such an opportunity and for my parents encouraging me to go outside of my comfort zone to have a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Now, I can’t wait to start my first year at Pitt, and hopefully in the near future, explore another area of the world and all it has to offer.
