Hello! My name is Jordan Jennings; I am currently a junior at Pitt studying Supply Chain Management and Business Information Systems with a certificate in International Business and I am really interested in entering the fashion industry following my graduation. I am originally from Monroeville, a town only 20 minutes outside of Pittsburgh, and I grew up adventuring into the city I now call home.
This past summer, I had the opportunity to work at American Eagle Outfitters’ corporate office as a Visual Lab Associate, where I was able to gain real-world experience in merchandising and understanding of the inner workings of a major textile retailer. Through this position, I was able to meet an abundance of people aiding me in achieving my dream as a sustainable sourcing consultant, which eventually landed me an internship in their Inventory Planning sector for summer 2025. I am very excited to continue working with the company and look forward to gaining further insight in retail supply chain management.
I have always loved to travel, having gone on international adventures with my dad since 12, and immediately was set on my studying abroad at some point in my college career. The Global Business Institute made it extremely easy to narrow down my program and location in Florence, Italy. Coming from an Italian family, my great grandmother’s stories of the rolling Tuscan hills and soaring blue skies created a dream I had always searched for, and partnered with the rich history of fashion and art within the area, Florence was easily my top pick. In pursuit of my International Business certificate as well as general curiosity regarding the working culture, I will be interning at a small bakery called Melaleuca along with my classes. During such I hope to gain experience in operations of a small business, as well as aid in suppliers management and digitizing of formal documents. While in Florence, I am hoping to completely immerse myself in a culture so close yet so far from home, as well as embrace the rich history of the small city.
During my first few weeks here, I feel I am gaining my footing as a Florentine and a student, specifically through my professors at CEA CAPA, whom have been overwhelmingly supportive of our transition to a new culture, as well as encouraging to explore and recognize the differences. The smaller class sizes allow for deeper discussions and bonding with my classmates, which is a welcome departure from my typically lecture-heavy courses. With my internship placement being so close to the city-center, I was lucky enough to be housed very close to the bustling piazzas in which my classes are held, however still providing a quiet haven to relax and enjoy cooking in my rustic kitchen. With all 6 of my roommates being fellow Pitt students, our apartment culture is barely different than that of Oakland, and I am truly excited to grow and travel with them throughout our time here.
All in all, I could not be more excited for the next 3 months and look forward to sharing my experiences in Florence and elsewhere.
Arrivederci!
