Hi everyone! My name is Nikki Ditta, and I am an incoming junior in Pitt Business. I am majoring in Supply Chain Management, with a minor in Law, Criminal Justice, and Society, and a certificate in Sports Management. I am completing the Sports Marketing class and an Internship with the National Basketball League during my time here, to fulfill requirements for the Sports Certificate. I am currently interning with Pitt Athletics as an Event and Operations Management Intern, and will soon be working in the ticketing office and as an equipment manager as well.
As for my life outside of school, I have a sister who is 4 years older than me, and a labradoodle named Milo. I love to go on walks and explore new things, and I am always down for an adventure. I also enjoy watching new TV shows and spending time with friends! I am outgoing and organized, and not afraid to try new experiences.
I had a wonderful opportunity to study abroad last May as well, completing the Plus3 program in Costa Rica. This two-week program was very inspiring and altered my perspective on sustainability and the supply chain industry, ultimately leading me to change my major to supply chain. I was able to make lifelong friends and experience unforgettable opportunities, such as seeing the agricultural process of coffee and the farming process of making healthy and pesticide-free fruits for consumption. Outside of classes, I had the cultural experience of attending a hometown rival soccer game!
My trip to Costa Rica is what inspired me to continue studying abroad and open up future opportunities for me, like Australia. When learning about this program and the idea of also being able to obtain an internship, I was very excited and knew that this was the trip I wanted to go on. I think the idea of introducing students to an internship, especially while abroad, helps develop key components in a student’s academic and professional future. Not only does the student have to adjust to being in a new environment, but they also have to adjust to a new work atmosphere and a different lifestyle pace. As a result, I think that is what I most hope to gain from this experience, the chance to develop and adjust to new things, and be flexible to work in new and demanding situations.
As for the three goals I have while abroad, I hope to become better equipped with the CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system that I will be using the majority of my internship, enhancing my social and developmental skills both in the classroom and in my internship, and gaining meaningful connections I can utilize in my future. I am excited for these upcoming weeks and everything there is to learn, and I can’t wait to share my experiences!
