My first week in Dublin was filled with lots of laughter, food, and rain! I was warned about the cold and rainy weather, but I still proceeded to pack mostly tank tops and shorts. After a few days, the rain began to grow on me and brought me back to Pittsburgh, which often has similar weather. After a few shopping trips to buy warmer clothes, I finally feel comfortable in this climate.
One of my favorite aspects of Dublin is the walkability and accessible public transit. Double-decker buses are the norm here and are fun, but risky to ride on. I have witnessed several people fall down the stairs of the bus, and I’m starting to think it’s an inevitable rite of passage. As someone who loves long walks, I’ve really enjoyed walking into the City Centre and BlackRock from campus. Exploring the city with the Pitt girls has been so fun! We’ve found many cool restaurants and cafes in the city. Most notably, the spice bags from Xian Street Food were so flavorful and delicious!
On our third day, we played Gaelic games including hurling, Gaelic football, and handball. As someone who is painfully uncoordinated, these games were quite humbling for me! The huge smile on my face as I wore the helmet shows my passion for sports! But I still had fun watching everyone play and learn about the history of Gaelic games.
My favorite part of the first week was our day trip to Glendalough and Kilkenny! Glendalough was mesmerizing to walk through as it included a scenic trail route with historical sites and a river. I love hiking when I’m home, so I was so excited to reconnect with my (crunchy) roots! At Killkenny, we walked around the Castle and strolled around the city for lunch and shopping. I bought yet another ring to add to my ever-growing collection!
This weekend, we went to George’s Street Arcade, a bustling street market with gift shops, jewelry, and clothing. I (of course) bought two more silver rings. I enjoyed seeing the art pieces and clothing sold at the market, and I will definitely be back for more rings.
I’m fascinated by the differences between chain restaurants in Ireland vs the U.S. This Saturday, my friends and I stopped by McDonald’s and we noticed that this location had chicken wraps and new sauces that are unavailable in the U.S. As we waited for our food, I was stopped in my tracks by the mesmerizing display of hot, golden fries. I was compelled to take a picture of this unique tourist attraction as I soaked up its smell and beauty.
Internship Reflection: Assessing the Business Environment
Tonight is the night before I start my internship with Moop as a communications intern, and I couldn’t be more excited! I was initially apprehensive about the nearly-virtual nature of the placement, but now I view this arrangement as a way for me to freely explore Dublin and have more flexibility over my schedule. This is an opportunity for me to grow by adjusting to a new professional setting and holding myself accountable.
My role in the communications industry will combine public relations and marketing with financial literacy to convey digestible and clear financial messaging to stakeholders. To be successful in this role, I will need strong written and verbal skills. Communications is focused on effective storytelling through written or verbal channels to translate financial data into riveting narratives. Financial literacy is crucial for interpreting financial reports, investment strategies, and market trends to produce credible content for stakeholders. Collaboration and adaptability are key skills to success when working in cross-functional teams. I will work with teams including accounting, design, and product development. I plan to collaborate with the design team to create visually appealing graphics for investors and contribute to user insights through market research. This collaborative environment will strengthen my communication skills, financial literacy, and my ability to manage multiple projects.
In the context of an Irish business, an understanding of EU regulations and reporting standards is distinctly crucial for my role. Regulations will guide the structure of financial narratives and reporting. An understanding of the current economic state of Ireland is essential for client relations, as it enables informed and relevant communications.
I will seek mentorship from my supervisor, Mosidi, through my other coworkers. Seeking guidance from experienced professionals within the Irish market will enhance my understanding of the communications and finance industries through a global lens. The communications industry is multifaceted, and I am excited to learn more as I enter this new role!