Hi! My name is Ingrid Kelly, and I am a rising junior at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Supply Chain Management and Finance. This summer, I will be participating in the International Internship Program in Berlin, Germany. I have always wanted to study abroad, and this opportunity immediately stood out to me as something I had to take advantage of!
A little bit about me! I am from the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh, approximately 25 minutes from downtown. Growing up, I spent a lot of time in the city exploring all of our museums and parks, so Pitt felt like a natural choice for college. In my free time, I enjoy baking, going on walks with friends, and finding the best pizza spots in Pittsburgh. I also love to travel, and I have been lucky enough to travel all across the country with my family. A few places that have stood out to me include Canyonlands National Park, White Sands, New Mexico, and Boston, Massachusetts.
On campus, I am an active member in Phi Beta Lambda and serve as the Assistant Ambassador for the National Retail Federation. I also act as the Fundraising Chair for Bridge Beyond – Pittsburgh, an organization dedicated to supporting the homeless community in the area. In these positions I have focused on improving my teamwork and communication skills to ensure effective and successful collaborations. Through these organizations, I have been able to connect with other students who have similar career goals as me.
I am excited to begin this adventure in Berlin because it will be my first professional internship. During school breaks I work at a local retirement home as a housekeeper and food service attendant. Both of these positions have allowed me to develop my time management, customer service, and organization skills. Working in a fast-paced environment, like food service, is not for the faint of heart! It requires flexibility and resilience.
I will be interning at HEYL Chemisch-pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH & Co. HEYL specializes in producing and distributing niche pharmaceuticals for illnesses such as Toxoplasmosis, Morbus Wilson, and Rheumatoid Arthritis. In this role, I will collaborate with the marketing and sales teams to gain insight into the pharmaceutical industry and obtain valuable hands-on experience. HEYL is a family business that has been headquartered in Berlin since its establishment in 1926. Working for a company that is so loyal to its city and has such deep historical roots will be a special experience. I believe that working for a company that has been in Berlin for so long will give me a unique perspective. I am looking forward to joining the team and getting started!
As I mentioned previously, one of my goals in college is to complete a study abroad program. I also understand the importance of internships and how much they add to a young professional’s development. I searched through the Pitt Global Experience page hoping to find a program that would catch my eye, and there it was! The International Internship Program combines the best of both worlds, and I could not be any more excited. When deciding which city I wanted to apply for, I had it narrowed down to two. My ultimate decision of Berlin was based on a couple different factors. One of them was that during the spring semester of my freshman year I took New German Cinema, a class that both confused and fascinated me. It also gave me a deeper understanding of the rich history of Berlin, and when I saw it as an option for this program I was very interested. Germany has a fantastic public transit system that also contributed to my decision. The U-Bahn will see a lot of me!
This opportunity will greatly support my academic, professional, and personal development. After this summer I hope to have practiced transferring the skills I have learned in the classroom to the workplace. I have learned so much throughout my first two years at Pitt, and I am eager to contribute to a team. The adaptability, communication, and problem-solving skills I can develop by practicing business in another country are invaluable. I hope to strengthen my cultural awareness, and become more flexible as I navigate a new country.
This is a dream come true, and I cannot wait to begin my 8 week experience in Berlin!
