As the program continues, each day has introduced me to opportunities that I had not fully considered before arriving on campus. While much of our time has been spent preparing for our consulting work in Carrigart and getting to know one another, we have also had the chance to learn about the many academic and professional paths available to us at the University of Pittsburgh. Hearing from representatives from the Honors College and Pitt Business’s Global Experiences Office made the next four years feel much more tangible, and I found myself leaving each presentation with a clearer vision of the experiences I hope to pursue.
The path that resonated with me most was the BPhil program through the Honors College. I have always enjoyed research and have hoped to continue pursuing it throughout college, so learning about an opportunity to complete an original research project while working closely with a faculty mentor immediately caught my attention. Although I was already familiar with many of the Honors College’s academic offerings, one aspect surprised me more than anything else. During our session with Dave Hornyak, he described how collaborative the Honors College community is, especially when it comes to internships, research positions, and other professional opportunities. Before today, I imagined those experiences were something students largely had to discover on their own, but it was encouraging to hear that faculty regularly share opportunities with one another when they know someone would be a good fit. That willingness to support one another made the Honors College seem less intimidating and much more like a community built around helping students succeed together.
I also enjoyed meeting Bryan Shultz from Pitt Business’s Global Experiences Office. Before his presentation, I mostly associated the office with study abroad opportunities, but I quickly learned that it offers much more than that. Bryan spoke about how the office works closely with students who want to pursue research involving other countries and cultures, helping connect them with international opportunities and resources. That was something I had never considered before. As someone interested in accounting and planning to attend law school, I have often imagined my future research focusing on finance or legal topics. Hearing about internationally focused research encouraged me to think beyond those boundaries and consider how cultural and global perspectives could strengthen the work I do in the future.
Looking back on today’s presentations, I came away with a greater appreciation for just how interconnected Pitt’s academic opportunities are. Whether through the collaborative environment of the Honors College, the independent research offered by the BPhil program, or the global experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom, I can already see how these opportunities complement one another. Just a week ago, I viewed these programs as separate possibilities. Now, I find myself imagining how they could come together to shape my college experience, allowing me to grow not only as a student but also as a future professional with a broader understanding of the communities and cultures I hope to serve.
