Hi! My name is Tracy, and I am a senior at the University of Pittsburgh. I am originally from Mobile, Alabama, and currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a double degree in Psychology and Global Management as well as the Frederick Honors College Joint Degree along with a certificate in the Conceptual Foundations of Medicine.
Academically, my journey has been shaped by both the sciences and business. Early on, my experience was rooted in health and research. I conducted gastric cancer research at the University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Research Institute and worked in Carnegie Mellon’s Psychology Research Lab studying marital relationships through behavioral coding and data analysis. I also contributed to the University of South Alabama’s Center for Healthy Communities, a government-affiliated initiative focused on health equity and education. More recently, I’ve shifted toward business—last summer, I interned at a U-Haul Franchise Retail Center, where I managed operations and streamlined processes. These experiences have motivated me to find ways to integrate both psychology and business in my future career.
On a personal note, I grew up in Alabama surrounded by a mix of coastal and countryside life. That background gave me a love for learning practical skills, whether it was raising goats and chickens, boating, or navigating the outdoors. I value having a wide range of experiences, and I often find ways to connect those skills back into my professional life. In my free time, I enjoy traveling—sometimes by motorcycle across state lines, sometimes cross-country on Amtrak—and I also like hiking, sewing, and writing.
This summer, I will be interning in Berlin, Germany, through the International Internship Program (IIP). I chose this program because of Berlin’s dynamic role as a global hub for business, innovation, and cultural exchange. The city’s history and diversity make it an ideal place to grow academically and professionally, while its central location in Europe allows for a broader perspective on global markets and collaboration.
I will be working with Vencon Research, a global leader in compensation benchmarking for the consulting and professional services industry. Vencon supports many of the world’s leading management consulting firms in navigating compensation and talent strategies across international markets. I am particularly interested in gaining exposure to human capital management and understanding how strategic decision-making operates on a global scale.
As I prepare for my internship in Berlin, I’ve been reflecting not just on the coursework and professional experience that will come with my program, but also on the ways I expect to grow outside of the office walls. It’s no secret that any international experience brings culture shock, language barriers, and the inevitable pangs of homesickness, but I want to push beyond those challenges and focus on how I can grow personally and professionally in ways that are harder to measure.
One area I expect to grow is adaptability. Coming from Alabama to Pittsburgh already taught me how to embrace change, but Berlin is a whole different scale. Learning how to navigate a new city, read between cultural nuances, and find comfort in unfamiliar routines will push me to trust myself more and become flexible in environments where I don’t always have the answers. I see this as an important professional skill as well—business today is global and unpredictable, and the ability to adapt quickly is as valuable as any technical knowledge.
Another way I hope to grow is in cultural competency and empathy. In Berlin, I’ll be exposed not only to German culture but also to the perspectives of colleagues from different backgrounds working at Vencon Research, a global company with an international reach. I want to pay close attention to how people communicate, collaborate, and problem-solve in ways that differ from what I’m used to in the U.S. These insights will shape how I think about leadership and teamwork across borders, which is central to my future in global management.
Personally, I want to embrace independence and confidence. While I’ve traveled before, living and working abroad for weeks at a time is different. I’ll need to rely on myself for everything from navigating public transportation to managing daily life in another language. I expect there will be frustrating moments—whether that’s ordering food wrong, missing a train, or feeling out of place—but those will be the same moments that push me to grow more resilient and self-reliant.
Finally, I want this experience to expand my creativity. Being outside my usual environment forces me to think differently, whether it’s in problem-solving at work or in my free time exploring the city. I’m excited for the inspiration Berlin might spark—through its history, its art, or just the rhythm of daily life—that will influence how I approach both business and my personal passions.
At the end of the day, I expect this program to be more than just an internship—it’s a chance to step outside of my comfort zone, strengthen my adaptability, and sharpen my perspective on the world and my place in it.
