It has been about a week and a half since I returned to the U.S, and after a packed two months abroad, it’s been nice to sit back, rest, and reflect on my time in Dublin.
This summer I interned at an Irish-owned beauty and cosmetics company called Cocoa Brown. I had held an internship position before, however, this was my first time working full time. I was initially nervous because I did not know what to expect, but the incredibly welcoming team at Cocoa Brown helped support me throughout the experience. Although my interest was primarily in marketing, my role ended up involving all areas of the business. Having this flexibility in my role gave me a diverse range of experiences and allowed me to learn something new from each colleague I worked with.
I grew significantly as a professional from my internship experience, strengthening both hard and soft skills. I enhanced my Excel proficiency through various projects including currency conversions and product data. The ever-changing and busy environment of my workplace helped me become more adaptable and challenged me to find solutions to unexpected problems. I also learned how to appropriately manage my time from working a full time schedule and developed a healthy work-life balance. Working full time is a big adjustment and this internship was great preparation for life post-graduation. From my time at Cocoa Brown, I gained insight into European and other international markets, which I was previously unfamiliar with. Before this internship, my perspective on marketing was very American-centered, but working at Cocoa Brown expanded my point of view.
This program also significantly enhanced my academic experience. It was exciting to apply what I had learned in my classes at Pitt to the work I was doing at my internship. As someone who is pursuing a certificate in sustainability, I found it interesting to see how the company approached issues of sustainability, striving to be more environmentally conscious in their ingredients, packaging, and distribution. As a communications major, I have learned about various forms of communication including interpersonal, cross-cultural, written, to digital. I encountered all of these types of communication at my internship and was able to use the knowledge from my communications classes to build relationships, convey my thoughts clearly and be a good team member.
As for my personal growth, being a part of this program has allowed me to meet so many incredible people who I may not have met otherwise. This program challenged me to build new connections and get to know people outside of my existing circle at Pitt. I can truly say that I have made lasting friendships from this experience and I can’t wait to see some more familiar faces on campus this fall.
Many of my favorite memories from my time abroad came from the trips I took with fellow students around Ireland and beyond. My experience traveling expanded my worldview and allowed me to learn about cultures different from my own. From Amsterdam, to Galway, to Edinburgh, and Barcelona, each city had its own personality and flair. Traveling helped to push me out of my comfort zone and required me to be resourceful. Because things do not always go as planned, especially while traveling, I strengthened my problem-solving skills and gained more confidence from being independent and making decisions. Oftentimes, the best memories came from spontaneous moments. Exploring these beautiful places and learning about their culture was an incredibly valuable experience, and was even better that I got to do it with an amazing group of friends.
By the end of the program, Dublin came to feel like a home away from home. I miss the comfort of UCD campus and all of the memories it holds. I long for the lively streets of Dublin after a long day of work and the joy of singing along with the talented musicians in the local pubs. The sense of community is something that I will carry with me from my time in Dublin. From my community of friends from Pitt and beyond, to the community of my work and my amazing coworkers who supported me throughout, and lastly the community of Dublin that brought warmth, laughter, and spirit into every aspect of my experience there.
I’m incredibly grateful to Cocoa Brown, the EUSA program, and Pitt for finding this placement for me and giving me the opportunity to take my learning outside of the classroom. This program will have a lasting impact on me as I graduate this coming Spring and look ahead to my future career.
Thank you for everything, Dublin.
Sláinte!