Hello everyone! My name is Gabriel Galiffa and I am a rising senior studying Natural Sciences with a certificate in Managing Health Services, Programs and Projects. I will be participating in the International Internship Program in Berlin this summer, and I couldn’t be more excited!
To introduce myself, I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA in a town called West Chester. I’ve been in Pittsburgh since Fall 2023, and I am so happy to call this place my second home! At Pitt, I am currently apart of the Pitt Pathfinders, which are the university tour guides on campus (try to spot me in a blue and gold rugby on an early Saturday for Admitted Students Day!). I am also apart of the Heinz Chapel Choir, where I served as the Librarian for 2 years, and where I’ll serve as Social Chair this upcoming year. Lastly, I’m apart of Beta Theta Pi, where I served as the Vice President of Recruitment this past year. These experiences helped strengthen my communication and organization skills immensely. Outside of Pitt, I’ve worked as a Customer Service Representative at The Juice Pod, and I was a Medical Device Sales Intern this past summer for Sleep Specialists, LLC. These past experiences specifically strengthened my customer service and corporate communication skills. All of these things combined have given me an incredible foundation to thrive in a professional environment.
This summer, I will be interning for Surflay Nanotec GmbH in their Business Development department. Surflay is a nanotechnology company specializing in surface functionalization, advanced polymer science, and microsensor technologies. Using its proprietary Layer-by-Layer (LbL) technology, the company develops nanoscale coatings that enable precise control over material properties. I, specifically, will be working to market and develop their biofunctionalized, fluorescent particles. After graduation, I hope to pursue a career that combines my STEM background with an interest in business. In my opinion, this internship checks that box, and I hope this experience strengthens my desire for that career type (whatever it may look like!).
When I discovered the International Internship Program, I was ecstatic! I’ve always wanted to study abroad, but my fall and spring semesters were loaded with classes, and I wanted to grow professionally with a job/internship during the summer. So, this program seemed like the best of both worlds! Berlin was also a very obvious and exciting choice as my host city! It is a culturally rich, vibrant, and dynamic environment to enter the workplace. Berlin is also a leader in biotechnology and pharmaceutical research which are industries that peak my interest. This will be my first time being abroad for an extended period of time, and I look forward to growing professionally, personally, and academically through this experience.
Although I’ve had an internship and jobs in the past, this will be my first in-person, corporate, professional internship. I hope to learn new valuable, transferable skills that I can apply to any workplace after graduation. I look forward to strengthening my communication, task-management, and networking skills while working in this new environment. Surflay is small team made up of scientists, engineers, and technicians. I’m hoping the company size will allow me to connect with my co-workers on a deeper level through feedback and teamwork. As a result, Surflay will have positive effect on my technical and soft skills for future endeavors.
I’m also excited to grow personally and academically through this experience! Being in a new city is challenging, but I hope this experience will build my confidence in uncomfortable situations and allow me to be adaptable. This is a valuable life skill that I am hoping to strengthen in my new home! As stated previously, Berlin is also a culturally rich and diverse city, and I’m excited to dive headfirst into exploring German culture and educating myself about environments different from what I’m used to. While growing personally, I hope these experiences strengthen my academic skills! I mentioned previously some skills I hope to gain professionally, but I hope to use those skills in my academic life as well when I return to the University of Pittsburgh. Specifically, I hope my task-management skills and networking skills are fine-tuned before I come back to Pitt.
That’s all for now! I am incredibly excited to finally arrive in Berlin and share more about my experience there. Although there will be ups and downs, I look forward to navigating this new world and gaining valuable skills from it. Vielen Dank!